- This classic Statesman by GM’s Holden division recently won many awards at Australia’s largest car festival.
- The luxo-barge delivers 1,000 hp but could easily be tuned to produce more.
- Extensive modifications have also been made to the exterior and interior.
A stunning 1974 Statesman HQ, comprehensively modified in Australia, is heading to auction with no reserve. Before we delve into the details of this impressive restomod, let’s take a moment to briefly explore the history of the Statesman series.
The Statesman was a standalone luxury brand created by GM’s Australian subsidiary Holden in 1971 with the launch of the HQ series model. Despite being based on the standard wheelbase Holden HQ models, which included a sedan, station wagon, a panel van, a ute and the famed Monaro coupe, it was marketed as a luxury entry devoid of any Holden badges, instead featuring a similar wreath emblem to Cadillac with the brand’s lion in the middle.
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This was the case for the five subsequent iterations of the Statesman and the more luxurious Caprice (HJ, HX, HZ, and WB series) until its demise in 1985. Holden resurrected both nameplates in 1990, but this time, they were marketed as the Holden Statesman and Caprice.
Back to the build you see here, the current owner, Matt McIntosh, spent five long years overhauling it, turning it into one of the country’s finest show cars.
The upgrades start with the bodywork, with the builder attempting to make the car look a little sleeker and smoother. To achieve this new look, the bumpers have been sectioned and tucked at the front and rear. Additionally, a new hood has been fitted as has a revised grille. The car has then been painted in Carpathian Grey, a color from the Land Rover palette.
Elsewhere, the current owner has fitted 20×9-inch front and 22×14-inch rear wheels with a Rose Gold finish. The side-exiting exhausts also have the same Rose Gold color.
Found at the heart of the car is a 403 cubic-inch Chevy V8 that’s been twin-turbocharged, has AFR heads, and a Howards roller cam. It also includes bespoke pistons, rods, and a custom crankshaft. Everything is controlled by a Haltech ECU and the car pumps out a remarkable 1,000 hp at the rear wheels.
This fiery V8 is coupled to an automatic transmission, driving the rear wheels through a nine-inch diff. A set of Wilwood brakes have also been installed and there are even coilovers at all four corners.
Plenty of work has been done to the car’s interior too. For example, the dashboard has been retrimmed in black leather and has a new digital gauge cluster. Additionally, the owner has fitted an aftermarket steering wheel and had four Scat Procar bucket seats installed, all trimmed in Tan Leather and suede.
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The auction house, Seven82Motors, says the car has won numerous awards across Australia, including at the country’s largest car festival, Summernats 35, where it claimed Top Engineered, Top Bodywork, Top Undercarriage/Driveline, Top Engine Bay, Top Pro Custom, and the Top Judge Elite awards.
The resto-modded HQ Statesman is being offered for sale in Australia, and you can view the auction listing at Seven82Motors here if you’d like to read more about it or make a bid.
