There are certain indelible memories from one’s childhoo–and for an automotive enthusiast, there certainly will be some car experiences you never forget. While growing up, I was always at the local newsagent every month, eager to pick up my new issue of Which Car, which featured comprehensive used- and new-car buyer’s guides, as well as many reviews and comparison tests.
Another of my vivid childhood memories is the first time I sat in a luxury car–or at least the finest that Australia had to offer at the time. I remember the pillowy-soft beige leather seats of that Holden VR Caprice; they were such a marked contrast to the firm, brown vinyl seats of our family Commodore. It was at that moment I knew I wanted a luxury car someday, which explains why the objects of my childhood automotive lust were not Lamborghinis but Cadillac Eldorado ETCs and the like. It also made me a sucker as a child for luxed-up, cheap Koreans. Despite being a very well-read child, I still tried to talk my mum into getting a Kia Credos because it was cheap and had leather. Oh, to be a kid again.
But I digress. The VR Caprice (and the mildly revised, follow-up VS) really appealed to me. In the Holden hierarchy, this was the top of the heap. The Statesman and Caprice were long-wheelbase versions of the rear-wheel-drive Commodore platform, with the Caprice being the more luxurious of the two. The Statesman name actually dated back to the 1970s (CC here), where it, too, was applied to a long-wheelbase, luxury version of the standard Holden.
The difference was, the 70s Statesman didn’t feature Holden badging; it was marketed by GM-H as the Statesman . The late 1980s saw the Statesman name go into hibernation until it returned, in 1990, on the VN Commodore platform, which itself was based on a widened and thoroughly revised Opel Omega platform. The VQ Statesman/Caprice (shown above; image: Wikipedia) – the DeVille name used on earlier Statesmans was retired – featured smooth aero fascias similar to the VN Commodore that spawned it, but had a different roofline.
American readers may see the resemblance between this and the roofline of the contemporary Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and Saturn SL; yet despite this odd American touch, the rest of the car’s styling was still very Commodore-esque, even to the point of using the same headlights and taillights. This didn’t stop the VQs becoming very popular with politicians and funeral homes, but despite being a Holden supporter I found the contemporary DA/DC Ford Fairlane/LTD to be more formal and luxurious-looking.
Although initially offered only with the Holden 5.0-liter, 221-hp V8, the Statesman soon became available with the venerable, Buick-derived 3.8-liter V6 that saw duty in Commodores, Statesman and (with the VR) Caprices, all the way up to the 2004 VY Commodore. In the VQ, the 3.8 produced the same 170 hp it did in the more pedestrian Commodore range. The VQs came with an interior barely different from the Commodore, and the Statesman actually came only with cloth seats. Cloth! The flossier Caprice offered standard velour – not my thing, but I’m sure it was nice enough – or seating appointments of soft, Adelaidean leather. However, Holden– stung by criticism the Statesman and Caprice just didn’t look luxurious enough–ordered an extensive exterior revision.
The Cutlass Supreme-ish C-pillar was retained but, in a similar Olds vein, great big tail lights were added, bringing to mind the 88s and 98s of that era. Also added was a slightly more formal front fascia. Suddenly, Holden’s luxury liners looked a lot more luxurious and, dare I say, Broughamy. The Caprice, as you can see from my photos, looked really formal, with its fancy wheels and waterfall grille (the Statesman had a less-pretentious eggcrate grille). The revised VS saw some minor cosmetic tweaks and a small bump in power. There was even a very rare and very cool HSV version called the Grange, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen one in person; nor have I seen its HSV Statesman predecessor, which I forgot even existed. The Grange name has carried on to this date, and is even sexier than ever.
source: forums at justcommodores.com.au
The VS Statesman/Caprice continued selling alongside the all-new VT Commodore, which had been built on a new Vauxhall/Opel Omega-derived platform for two years now. Along the way, it picked up a supercharged version of the 3800 that punched out 221 hp–just a few horses short of the V8! I should dig up my Which Car collection to verify that, but I’m willing to bet fuel consumption would be quite a bit better; what’s more, the 3800 was a reliable engine.
It’s interesting to see how Holden brought in the supercharged V6, used it in a whole lot of cars, and then let it die with the 3800. Meanwhile, Ford’s turbo I6 ended up being very successful (even helping to once again kill the Falcon’s V8 option), while Holden currently offers two naturally-aspirated V6s and a big, honking 6.0-liter V8–and nothing in between. Even in North America, the same is true with the Cadillac CTS, even though Lincoln has some nice EcoBoost turbo sixes. Oh, well.
While the Statesman and Caprice offered interiors scarcely differed from the Commodore (and still don’t, regrettably), the VR/VS introduced more dramatic and American styling. You can’t mistake this for a Commodore! The same basic shape lasted from 1990 all the way to 1999 before making way for the WH Statesman/Caprice and the return of different model designations for the long-wheelbase Holdens.
And so the Statesman/Caprice story continued, much as did the Commodore story. Where the Commodore goes, the Statesman/Caprice follows. And unlike its Fairlane/LTD rivals, the long-wheelbase Holdens are still running.
Of course, these days it’s the Caprice and Caprice-V, and things are a little less pillowy-seats-and-woodgrainy, but you can still get an S-Class-sized Holden, loaded to the hilt, for around $62,000. A base Mercedes S-Class starts here at $213,000. Yes, the Caprice’s interior shares too much with the Commodore, and there’s no bump in power, but it’s still a lot of size and a lot of power for not a lot of money. Now that’s good old-fashioned Aussie value!
The VQ Statesman was one of the ugliest cars ever made. That might seem like a big call but I stand by my comment as a google image search will validate my opinion.
Generally speaking, most Australian cars are well styled but not the VQ, I am calling it the “Aztek of OZ”
Harsh. While I’m not a fan of that iffy C-pillar treatment I wouldn’t have said any of the Statesman models were really distinctive enough to be considered extremes of either ugliness or beauty. Certainly not in the same league of ugly as the likes of the Aztec or (my personal candidate for ugliest car ever) the Porsche Cayenne.
Note the plastic wheel covers on a luxury car!
A guy at school used to drive his father’s VQ Statesman at times, right up to its 210-220km/h top speed – the sort of thing that led to probationary licence holders being banned from driving V8’s…
I hated the looks of the VR Caprice when it was launched here in NZ, bur I must admit my dislike has softened over time and in the right colour (deep blue over silver) with the right wheels (the deep-dish chrome ones it was launched on), it can look quite tidy. Thos taillights are a bit too flat for my liking, and I wish – just wish – that Holden had followed Opel’s lead and put round-top rear wheels arches on instead of the ugly flat toppes ones.
I’m a Wheels fan, athough I did buy the odd Which Car. I remember reading in Wheels when the VR Caprice came out that the taillights and the bootlid garnish between them was off a Buick (or Oldsmobile), but they didn’t elaborate, and they don’t look like any Buick/Olds model that I can think of. Any USA CCers recognise those lights? Or was it a myth?
Taillights look to be off an 88-97 Cutlass Supreme sedan. There is a CC for that car, or better yet a CCC.
To me the most beautiful ones are the ones based on the extended VT body shell. Then comes the current WM. At some point I will own a version of them, better yet if is a LS8 International with some VT Calais International wheels.
The WM has presence and volume in the street. It is cavernous inside with a Tony Soprano-grade (®©TM Pty LTD) boot. And it has real aluminum in the dash an door appliques.
However the VR and VS are nice too. I’ve seen the Grange version, and the rear seats don’t disappoint. My neighbor had one, with the Holden V8 and headers and it sound was awesome. I don’t know what he did with it because he now uses a Chundai.
Before they become extinct, you should do one about the Falcon wagon up to AU. They’re increasingly the tradies work beater of choice and I guess in 10-15 years they will be all scrapped (or replaced by Territory).
Cheers.
To this American that has been exposed to Australian cars through CC, this is not a bad looking car, maybe just a little bit awkward from certain angles. But I would need to see one in person to really know – photos don’t do it justice. Still, not bad looking.
As Paul pointed out in an earlier article, Australian cars seem like they were made in a parallel universe. They are close enough to American designs to be (sort of) recognizable, but just different enough to confuse.
Yeah — the VR looks like a sort of Frankenstein amalgam of GM’s first-generation U.S.-market W-body cars (mainly the Buick Regal and Olds Cutlass Supreme). The VS looks like a Ford Scorpio with a Rover grille.
I love seeing cars from Down Under.
It also seems the parallel universe is starting to go both ways, also. Recently I saw a Holden rebadged as a Chevrolet Caprice, seeing duty in law enforcement. It was based upon the next to last picture above. For my eyes, it was quite pleasant and looks like 115% of a U.S. spec W-body Impala along the sides and rear.
There are a number of them roaming around Idaho now, along with the Charger.
A very interesting car. From the rear, it looks like a bigger 90s Cutlass. I also see a bit of Mercury Sable in it. From the perspective of a Yank who has never seen one before, I am having trouble processing the mix of formal angularity and aero. The front does not really seem to go with the back. Intriguing to look at, though. The interior looks quite nice. I like the new one better.
I see a bit of Vauxhall Senator in it’s looks.let’s see some more Aussie iron there were and still are some great cars from Down Under
It is a Vauxhall Senator dont let the Aussie badge fool you the Commodore and Senator shared shells way back then, the Commodore ran a wider front track it wasnt untill 06-07 that Holden redesigned the body shell and used one piece side panels that got rid of most of the body flex inherited from Opel/Vauxhall. The LWB cars followed along
What does the name Grange mean or suggest in Australia that it would be used on a luxury car? Here in the States it’s a rural farmers’ organization. More suitable for a ute or a tray back. Anyway, keep the Aussie stuff coming. It’s fascinating and little-known here in the US.
Grange Hermitage is a very expensive Australian wine not the usual plonk churned out over there
In comparison to the early 90’s B-body American Chevrolet Caprice, I think these Australian Caprices were much better looking. I’ve never been a fan of the “bloated whale” ’91-’96 Caprices. These Holden’s are much sleeker and stylish in my opinion. I wonder how they would have sold in the U.S.
Given their Oldsmobile-ish styling touches, I also think they could’ve made good Oldsmobile Ninety-Eights. Something else interesting to think about.
Having seen the “whale” Caprice and the Aussie VR one, I rather have the US thing.
Now if we’re talking WH to WL or WM Stateman/Caprice, the Aussies win hands down.
Always great to learn about cars I know nothing about. I love the wheels on the white one – quite funky.
Not wishing to offend, but forgive me, that thing is horrible. The front end looks like a panther, the middle an Oldsmobile/Saturn and the rear…a Corsica…or something.
Good lord, don’t the Aussie designers go to design school?
I admit I have a fairly narrow world view as to automotive design, but c’mon – we’ve seen enough of down-under abominations that I believe I’m accurate in my opinions!
Sure would like to visit Australia someday, though…
Of course, if this note gets wide dissemination, when I do show up, I may get a welcoming committee armed with sickles and pitchforks!
Can’t blame you as the design is very piecemeal, they are restricted to carry-over as much sheetmetal as possible. The VQ Statesman has completely standard Commodore panels from the front to the rear with only a unique roof and rear quarter panels, sitting on the long wheelbase station wagon floorpan. It was however the first implementation of IRS, a simple semi-trailing arm, whereas the Commodore was still live axle. Inside the dashboard is not changed.
If you look at the VR they have a special hood to include the formal grille instead of twin “nostril” vents of the standard Commodore, but standard fenders. The roof line carries over, there are new rear quarters plus this time a unique trunk lid and a unique upper dash fascia. All styled by different people at different times, with the aim of maximizing the visual difference from the standard Commodore.
I like it.
I assume the last 2 pics are similar to the upcoming Chevy SS we’re getting here soon?
Yep thats a Commodore you guys can get it with Chev badges buy one save the last RWD sedan from GM.
The only bad styling element on the current version is the taillights. They look exactly like those on the current gen Impala. I’ve seen a bunch of the new Caprice PPVs (9C1’s?) here in LA and they can easily be mistaken for the Impala.
Chevy SS will be different than Caprice PPV. Two different animals.
No they are the current Chevrolet PPV. The SS will be a facelifted Pontiac G8 on the shorter wheelbase with no 6th window.
Actually in the first picture I’m seeing “early Infiniti flagship”. Although the oddest styling touch is the standup hood ornament on such a sleek car.
It looks like a 90’s Hyundai copy of the 1st gen Taurus.
The front face of the car in first picture, and the red one, look like a 1989-93 Riviera.
It looks like a cross between a Grand Marquis in the front (on some examples) and Oldsmobile Ciera (or Cutlass?) in the back (on other examples).
Right as I was driving home, I spied a HQ statesman and I noticed the grille was very Oldsmobile and the tail lights very Cadillac. Then there’s the WB Statesman with its very Buick tail lights. Oh and even the names… Holden has over the years used Caprice, DeVille, Brougham, Apollo, Nova, Calais and Special. It’s like they take the US elements they like but not the rest.
I’ve long wished for an HSV Grange. Considering that I live in the US, I probably have a better chance of winning the lottery.
I remember seeing the VR’s when I was on an extended tour of Australia and New Zealand several years ago. I liked them at the time but now feel they are a little bloated and overdone.
Too big but I have been a passenger in a VS S1 Statesman and loved it.For someone who grew up on Big Mercedes S Classes over the years this was for me one of the first times I ever sat in one.I have never driven one but my brother drove a later 2007 WM for a couple of days as a rental and it was awful.Give him a BMW anytime he said to us even a 525i from Hertz is a better option in his opinion.I haven’t been in an Aussie Limo in years so can’t say much.but it surprises many of us when you think the best you’ll get from a chauffeur drive company of the legal variety that is will most likely be a Caprice much to many of our surprises an AUDI OR BMW shows up.