1978 Holden Statesman DeVille from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

Alternator had to be replaced at 210,000 km.

This car has a lot of acceleration for a car of its size and weight.

Power steering makes it easy to park and handle.

Very roomy and comfortable.

I owned a Caprice version of this vehicle for 15 years. I travelled in excess of 500,000 km in it.

I had one engine rebuild at 200,000km and the transmission at 250,000km.

I had a second exchange engine put in at about 420,000Km due to overheating, but it ended up being the fan clutch at fault.

Air conditioner compressors can be a problem as well as front suspension bushes.

Front tyres used to wear fairly quickly as well.

Lots of leaks over the years from the engine, power steering and transmission, mostly minor.

Overall it was a well styled, very comfortable car, it certainly had it's mechanical faults, but with a bit of attention, kept going year after year.

Rust was also a problem, particularly in the lower doors and around the rear wheel arches, also under the vinyl roof.

We had several of these, some were sent to Sri Lanka for the Non-aligned summit in 1976 (I think). We also had a car which was bullet-proofed and sent to Zambia for Kissinger to use when negotiating Zimbabwe's hand back. Great cars with startling acceleration but no top end. Very comfortable and super-luxurious like an almost-Caddy. These cars were also made in South Africa as Chev Caprices. Notorious gas-guzzlers though.

Hi there.

I purchased a 1979 HZ Statesman Deville, back in November last year, and it has been a very good car, apart from a couple of leaks from power steering, I have had no trouble with it so far. It is a factory misty blue colour with a white, vinyl roof. The vinyl roof has caused a bit of concern, of late, with little rust spots appearing here, and there. But I will treat it as soon as possible. As I don't have it garaged, due to lack of space, I hope no further major rust will appear. It has the original 308, 5 litre V8, and has 184,000 kilometres on the odometer. it is, practically, stock standard. It seems to be a little heavy on the fuel. But, overall, it's a very comfortable, reliable car. And for it's age, seems to be going very well.

I've owned a 78 HZ Statesman since 1981. I've decided to keep it -- probably for the next 20 years, I enjoy it so much. They are easy to work on and I have made modifications over the years. I have just had it restored and repainted and added some WB mirrors and bonnet ornament. It cruises very comfortably, but since the modified engine tends to be quite thirsty I am going to install a turbo 700 transmission (has the overdrive) and will consider a fuel injected V8 over the next year or so. I am contemplating customising it further with the GTS front spoiler and a rear wing on the boot and a set of low profile larger diameter wheels and tyres.

Yes it will probably last another 20 years if you spend a lot of money on it. try telephone number figures just to get in the ball park.

I bought my 1979 HZ Stateman in 1993 and have now had him for 15 years. I reconditioned the engine at 135,000 and the clock is now reading 198,000 (so 63,000 since recond). I had the vinyl roof replaced about 5 years ago and a repaint 2 years ago. The car is stock standard and about as original as they come. I love this car. (more faithful than any man!!)

The car does sprout some strange leaks every now and then, but they seem to go away or cause no hassle. The reason for the recond was because it was using a lot of water and overheated so I was told my head gasket had blown. So the top end was taken off, the gasket was fine! They popped in a new one and about 2 weeks later the car threw a piston. They neglected to tell me tightening up the top end can blow the bottom! They fixed it at there expense and I have had no problems with him since!

So have just purchased a 1979 DeVille special Chardonnay edition of which only 450 were built, I am told. This old car is extremely original, 1 owner, but needs a few parts, for example drivers door trim and centre console. Any suggestion here would be appreciated -- the car is amazing for its age.