Chevrolet Constantia

The Chevrolet Constantia is an automobile which was marketed by Chevrolet in South Africa from 1969 to 1978.

Chevrolet Constantia AQ Series

First series
The first series Chevrolet Constantia was based on the Australian Holden Brougham (pictured)

The first series Chevrolet Constantia went on sale in May 1969, along with the lower priced Kommando.[1] It was based on the Australian Holden Brougham four-door sedan, but featured a unique frontal treatment. The styling changes were undertaken in General Motors' Port Elizabeth studios in South Africa [2] and the model was locally produced.[3] The Constantia was offered with a 4.1 litre six and a 5.0 litre V8.[4] 843 were sold in 1969 followed by 750 in 1970 and 800 in 1971.[5]

AQ series
Chevrolet Constantia AQ Series rear view

The AQ series Constantia was introduced in 1972 and was based on another Australian design, the Statesman HQ.[6] Again, frontal styling was different from the Australian model, this time featuring a unique grille based on the 1970 Chevrolet Malibu.[2] The restyling work was a joint effort undertaken in Australia.[2] The AQ Series Constantia was offered with a 4.1-litre six and a 5.0-litre V8.[4] Wheel covers came from the 1971-72 North American Chevelle Malibu.

AJ series

The revised AJ series Constantia was marketed in South Africa from 1975 to 1978.[6] It was offered as a four-door sedan, based on the Statesman HJ[6] and as a five-door wagon, [6] based on the Holden HJ wagon. The AJ Series was offered with a 4.1-litre six and a 5.0-litre V8.[4] A more luxurious version was sold as the Chevrolet Caprice Classic.

Sales

These are the South African official sales numbers.[6]

Year 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978
1st series 843 750 800 ?
AQ ? 1919 1167 ?
AJ ? 1149 690 173
Caprice Classic 135 306 197 222

References
  1. Emslie, Robin, ed. (September 1969). "Trends". Motoring Mirror. Vol. 7 no. 5. Cape Town, South Africa: Motorpress. p. 17.
  2. Out of Africa, Australian Muscle Car, Issue 33, pages 82-87
  3. Chevrolet Constantia, The Observers Book of Automobiles, Sixteen Edition, 1970, page 40
  4. General Motors - Chevrolet in South Africa 1962 - 1979 Timeline, moby302.co.za, as archived at web.archive.org
  5. Hamilton, Douglas (January–February 2006). "1970 Holden HT Brougham". Restored Cars. Newstead, Victoria, Australia (174): 26–28.
  6. "When is a Holden not a Holden?". Restored Cars. Newstead, Victoria, Australia (191): 32–35. November–December 2008.
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