This lets the cat out the bag a bit! David Burrell published ex GM USA photos on the Shannon’s site. Norm Darwin published the first photo in his Monaro book. But look at the sedan especially the quarters. A few of us has long believed the basic HQ sedan, coupe and wagon plus maybe the ute were all a partially complete North American design. Remember in US A body, the sedan was the same wheelbase as the wagon, that sedan in the photo next to the Statesman was the sedan in this range - yes the HQ Statesman was the sedan in this A body lineup, sort of obvious when you look at the tail-lights. GMH have modified the coupe, always a shorter wheelbase to make the HQ sedan. A 1972 and the 1973 next gen El Camino were both based off the Chevelle Sedan/wagon wheelbase, voila HQ ute.
Photos credit David Burrell and Shannon’s.

Edited by user Tuesday, 3 June 2025 4:20:11 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

There was no Statesman in the Chevy A body lineup. Just sedan, wagon, EL Camino and the SWB coupe. This lineup for 1972 was cancelled and replaced by what was released in 1973, the Wiki info on those below:

The most extensive redesign in its 10-year history marked the 1973 Chevelle. Due to concern over proposed Federal rollover standards, convertible and 4-door hardtop models were discontinued, while the 2-door hardtop was replaced by a pillared coupe—named "Colonnade Hardtop.

GMH appears to have taken (or given) the incomplete designs for the sedan (what GMH called the Statesman), wagon, El Camino (became the ute) all on the same wheelbase and the coupe on the shorter wheelbase. GMH then made the sedan off the coupe. They extended to HG van roof and grafted it onto the ute to make the van, and replaced the quarters on the ute to make the cab-chassis. By the looks GMH might have completed the entire front of the car. Leo Pruneau told me that his first task when he arrived in Australia in 1969 was to do the grilles, in his words "fill in the hole in the nose".

Edited by user Tuesday, 3 June 2025 5:46:13 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

The Statesman was marketed here as a GM vehicle and was not part of the Holden range. Separate colour chart, owner manual etc. Look up some old advertisements and no mention of HOLDEN, only GM and GMH.

There are lots of clues to this, like the hub caps having GENERAL MOTORS written on them instead of the "Holden lion", the 253/308 air cleaner sticker changed to GMH from Holden, the water bottle with GM on it instead of HOLDEN, the insert in the dash for base Statesman without clock.

Yes, I understood it wasn't a Statesman in the planned A body - hence the " " and the :)
I thought it humorous that the wagon was a pair to the US sedan plan. I'll try to remember no humour.

They were sold as Chevrolet within the Australian mainland, as Consulate cars. Model code 84469.