1974 CHEVROLET 350
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- Опубліковано 20 сер 2024
- 1974 CHEVROLET 350.
Statesman was an automotive marque created in 1971 by Holden and sold in Australasia. Statesman vehicles were sold through Holden dealerships, and were initially based on the mainstream Holden HQ station wagon platform, thereby providing more interior room and generally more luxurious features than their Holden sedan siblings. Production ceased with the last of the WB series cars in 1984.
GM Holden HQ Series
The original Statesman HQ long-wheelbase sedans were released on 22 July 1971 as a replacement for the HG series Holden Brougham, although drawings exist of an HQ Brougham, albeit in short-wheelbase guise. The first Statesmans were based on these short-wheelbase Holden HQ variants. Statesman was initially offered in two specifications, an upmarket Statesman de Ville and a basic Statesman Custom. Engines ranged from a 202-cubic-inch (3.3 L) Red six-cylinder, a 253-cubic-inch (4.1 L) V8, a 308-cubic-inch (5.0 L) V8 and a 350-cubic-inch (5.7 L) Chevrolet small-block V8, but the de Ville featured the 308 engine as standard equipment. Compared to the short-wheelbase Holden HQ models, the Statesman featured a wheelbase extended by 3 inches (76 mm), totalling 114 inches (2,900 mm), in common with the HQ range of Holden station wagons. The extra length was incorporated behind the rear doors to allow for additional rear seat legroom.
The Statesman was intended as a rival for Ford Australia's successful Fairlane which had debuted in Australian-designed form as the ZA series in March 1967. The Fairlane had created a new and exclusive category of Australian-made prestige cars. It was derived from the Falcon, with an extended wheelbase and unique front-end and rear-end styling to differentiate the car's appearance. At the time, this category of vehicle proved to be very profitable, in that the sale price was significantly higher than the base car from which the prestige model was derived, and the additional costs of production were only moderate. GM-H went to some length to set the new luxury Statesman marque apart from the Holden equivalent in their sales literature. For the new models, totally avoiding the presence of the name "Holden", even to the extent of using the term "General Motors" in lieu of "General Motors-Holden's". Advertisements in newspapers among other media followed the same format.
Statesman HQ models were marketed in South Africa as the Chevrolet Constantia and the Chevrolet de Ville. The Constantia was fitted with a locally assembled five-litre V8 or 4.1-litre inline-six and was considered locally built. The Chevrolet de Ville, however, used an imported 5.7-litre V8 as fitted to the Corvette and was priced 33 percent higher than a comparable Constantia V8. The de Ville received praise for being considerably more nimble, lighter, more compact and better handling than the American models it replaced without any loss in accommodation. Power for the 350 V8 was claimed at 205.2 and 174.2 kW (279.0 and 236.8 PS; 275.2 and 233.6 hp), SAE and net figures respectively.
The Statesman was also exported to many other countries as the Chevrolet 350. From 1973 to 1976, HQ models were exported to Japan as the Isuzu Statesman De Ville. Isuzu sold 246 De Villes between late 1973 and 1976.
Some of these HQ-series models-assembled in Australia-were sold in New Zealand as the "Chevrolet 350" from 1971 to 1974. They differed little from the locally assembled 308-cubic-inch (5.0 L) V8 Statesman apart from a new grille with the Chevrolet logo, badges and hub caps, and effectively replaced the Canadian-sourced Chevrolet Impalas last sold in 1969.
South Africa
Until the late 1960s, the Kingswood and Premier were sold in South Africa as Holdens, before the demise of Canadian-sourced Chevrolet Impala and Chevelle, which led to the introduction of the Chevrolet Kommando and Chevrolet Constantia, which were based on the HG, and later HQ Kingswoods using either Holden's 202-cubic-inch (3.3 L) straight-six, 308-cubic-inch (5.0 L) V8, or later the Chevrolet 250-cubic-inch (4.1 L) six. The Constantia name was in reference to the grand Groot Constantia wine estate, with its world-famous gabled Cape-Dutch homestead featuring as the model's emblem, while Kommando referred to the Boer Commando squads during the Anglo-Boer War. The South African version of the HQ was coded AQ, and was very similar to the Chevrolet 350 sold by Chevrolet/Vauxhall dealers in New Zealand.
AQ series
The AQ series Constantia was introduced in 1972 and was based on another Australian design, the Statesman HQ. Again, frontal styling was different from the Australian model, this time featuring a unique grille based on the 1970 Chevrolet Malibu. The restyling work was a joint effort undertaken in Australia. The AQ Series Constantia was offered with a 4.1-litre six and a 5.0-litre V8.
CC rating: 5,736cc 350 cu in (5.7 L) Chevrolet V8
NZ First Registration: 09-Dec-1974
What a magnificent beast...!
The south African grille and badging really suited the GMH HQ-HZ designed Statesman's.
Thanks for the great upload 😁👍
These were a common sight on South African roads.
The 250 cubic inch [4.1 litre] inline 6 cylinder cars were called the Chevrolet Constantia.
We owned a Copper coloured one with a black vinyl roof.
The 350 cubic inch version [5.7 litre] V8:had a redesigned radiator grille and a different, more ornate boot lid, it also had the most beautiful wheel covers / hub caps.
With 225 kW and 525 Newton Metres of torque they were the most powerful cars on the market at the time.
In 1976 or 1977 the 8 cylinder model was given a mild facelift and rebadged as the Chevrolet Caprice Classic, these cars came with the smaller 5 litre V8 engine sourced from Australia.
They were completely different to the Chevrolet Caprice Classic sold in North America and shared only the name.
The same car was also sold in very limited numbers in Thailand badged as an Isuzu
It had a 2 litre, 4 cylinder engine.
I forgot to mention that the Chevrolet Constantia also came with a 5 litre V8
This engine typically returned a better fuel consumption than the smaller inline 6
Most cars sold had the 4 1 litre 6 cylinder engine.
I think that the V8 also had electric power windows shared with the DeVille.
The hubcaps on the 6 cylinder and 8; cylinder Chevrolet Constantia models were identical.
I have seen a similar design on some of the GM cars sold into the U. S. market.
All of these cars sold onto the South African and Rhodesian market were assembled in Struandale, Port Elizabeth.
I had a white one just like this. It was exported from South Africa.
I wish I still had it.
She wasn't yours, it was just your turn, brother. It would be worth a nice little deposit on a house by now.
Hello
My dad owned 2 in trinidad 🇹🇹
Hi from Australia!! beautiful car!!! I recall many years ago in the early 80's a fellow soldier had one here in Australia I remember him calling it an "export model" At the time all I could see that was different was the grille (flush with the nosecone and metal not plastic like other HQ's). Looking at yours it appears the front and rear bumper bars may be slightly different? or have they been shaved and modified to fit in tighter to the body? Either was looks great and its awesome to see these pieces of motoring history still on the road. Maybe I should pull my finger out so to speak, set up my channel and video the rebuild of my 1968 HK Monaro restomod....
Hi, awesome to see and get some info, i have a 1974 Chevrolet 350 in N.Z, but was struggling to find information on them. Ive had it for 10 years now, its not on the road just yet, but i have had it repainted, and done most of the interior. It has matching numbers. What do you reckon its worth?
Wow, currently records show there is 23 registered in NZ, I consider this model rare IMO. As to its worth that's challenging, off road maybe 7-15K, roadworthy 15-25K, Concours(Mint, matching everything) 25K - 30K+, its true value is only what somebody is willing to pay. I wouldn't part with it, unless it was dire. In the not too distant future I have another '74 350, in absolute beautiful condition, stay tuned. Good luck with your 350 Project. :- )
You do realise it's just a rebadged Holden Statesman don't you?
@@Rob-fc9wg There are suttle differences, chrome strips, some extra, some different, rear bumper, nose cone and grille and 350 chev motor and 400 THM trans with LSD as standard. Other wise yes a GMH Statesman. Also originally had USA Chevrolet trims and hub caps. I am led to believe not sold with this option in Australia but explored to NZ badged as Chevrolet 350 and badged as Chevrolet Constina for South Africa market. Statesmans may have been available in Australia with a 350CI option but I can't confirm that. Mine was assembled in the Sydney plant badged Chevrolet 350.
@@waynesinclair4297 statesmans were available in Australia with the 2 bolt 350 275 hp
@@darrincassidy9045 in Australia Statesman de Ville sedans featured the 308 V8 engine as standard equipment, with the 350 V8 an option from factory.
Hai everybody...I have question ,Do you know where is I can find grille for chevy de ville constantia? Thank you
Very rare, and extremely rare in undamaged condition, (like Hen's teeth) you may have to get one custom made. Otherwise Holden and/or Chevy car Clubs maybe another route in Aus/NZ and/or SthAfrica..
Another option would be a Holden Grill although not ideal ie:
www.rarespares.net.au/rsnz/buy/2813764/grille-assembly-hq-gts-monaro-blacksilver
There are cheaper options
www.rarespares.net.au/rsnz/buy/9928882/grille-assembly-hq-ss-sandman-black
Looking at the cost of these new items, acquiring a Constantia Grill, maybe equal too or much more due to the rarity of it. Good luck.
These Chev badged ones werent sold in Aussie.The grille n badges look the same as pics of the South African ones Iv seen.I havent seen one for years.
Agreed, a low production run no doubt. This would probably be the 2nd one of seen in NZ, ever.
What?! An Australian Chevrolet?!
Yeah, I've seen a couple or so over the years and one S.African Constantia here , but they would have been fairly low numbers compared to the Statesmans, fairly rare and/or hard to come by, especially now days.
They were there to replace the niche of American muscle imports that were on the decline back then in NZ.
@@rattfink3285 Okay. Since I'm neither from Australia, New Zealand, nor from South Africa, I've never seen one. If only these were offered here in North America.
I have the HQ 74 Statesman with the 350 in it in Australia but not with that grill ..
Nice, I trust she looks as good as this one, does your 74 HQ 350 have the split grill ?
I own her for 35 years but i modified it when i was a young lad , i had it finish then after a few years i started other rebuild ..and it's a rust free body perfect body , i change the front to the HJ and fitted Ford XC head light , a Jaguar rear end and twin filling caps from a jaguar remove the petroleum tank behind the back seat ,fitted a WB Statesman dash HX Statesman trim , mini tubes for width tyres , and lots more .. i still have her but it not finished as other things got in the way like buying a house , i still plan to get back to it as i have 99% of everything .. you can see it on youtube under [ Statesman Rebuild ] the blue Statesman leave a comment that way i know you check it out .. i didn't know what i had when i was younger if i build it to it's original specks it would of been worth a hell of alot of today money over $50 grand , Yours would fech alot of money in Australia being original 350 Statesman Cheers .
It would be good to see your Statesman when you get her back on the road. ua-cam.com/video/r2eQHVULgpQ/v-deo.html
I'm looking for spare parts for this car
Chrome parts
Some engine parts etc
Apart from the specfic 350 parts, badging, grille etc,(originals will be incredibly hard to source) most if not all parts are interchangable with the Statesmans of the era. rarespares.com may have something, otherwise wreckers that speacialise in old Holdens/Chev's, and/or car clubs of this ear may also help.