HZ Statesman luxury model: approximately $8,600–$8,800
The HZ featured minor styling updates, new grille and trim details, updated suspension, and mechanical refinements
The HZ Statesman offered luxury appointments, automatic transmission, improved comfort, and premium interior finishes
Both models catered to families, professionals, and executives seeking reliability, style, and comfort
One of the biggest introductions with the HZ Holden was Radial Tuned Suspension (RTS). This handling package put the Holden on par with many of the higher end (and more expensive) European offerings available in the late 1970’s.
Despite looking much the same as the two previous models, The HX Holden and the HJ Holden the HZ was a much more refined model with a much higher level of standard equipment.
Average wage
Average weekly wage: about $130–$135
Average annual wage: roughly $6,760–$7,020
Average house price
Around $25,000–$26,000
Price of petrol
About 18–19 cents per litre
Prime Minister
Malcolm Fraser (Liberal Party)
Population of Australia
About 14.1 million people
Top-grossing movie
Star Wars: A New Hope, Saturday Night Fever
Top song
You Light Up My Life by Debby Boone topped Australian charts
Significant world event
Ongoing energy concerns following the 1973 oil crisis
Global cultural and economic changes influenced consumer behaviour
Popular TV / radio in Australia
Number 96, Homicide, The Don Lane Show, and Countdown
FM radio increasingly shaped youth and pop music culture
Significant Australian news story
Economic policy under Fraser, rising car ownership, and suburban expansion dominated headlines
The HZ Holden and HZ Statesman reflected Australia’s continued demand for practical, stylish, and increasingly luxurious vehicles
Interesting comparisons
The HZ Holden cost roughly 1.05–1.1 years’ average wages, while the HZ Statesman cost 1.25–1.3 years’ wages
The average house cost about 3.8–4 years’ wages
Filling a ~50L tank cost roughly $9–$9.50 AUD
A week’s wages could buy roughly 650–670 litres of petrol
