Holden Monaro

The Monaro is a vehicle produced by Holden, the Australian branch of General Motors. The Monaro was produced from 1968 to 1979, and then re-introduced onto the Australian and New Zealand markets in 2001 (discontinued in late 2005). Since 1968, three generations of the Monaro have been produced.

Related Topics:
Holden - Australia - General Motors - 1968 - 1979 - New Zealand - 2001 - 2005

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It was originally introduced as a two-door pillarless hardtop coupe based on the HK series Kingswood sedan in base, 'GTS' and 'GTS 327' models. Base and GTS models could be ordered with a choice of a six cylinder engine of 161 in³/2.6 L capacity (base only) or 186nbsp;in³/3.0 L (GTS with an uprated 186S only) or a 307 in³/5.0 L capacity V8. The 'GTS 327' model were powered by Chevrolet's 327 in³/5. L 'small block' V8; in its first few months several 'GTS 327's were entered in the annual Bathurst 500 (now Bathurst 1000 - being 1000 kilometres rather than 500 miles), endurance race and won it. In early 1969 the Monaro range was Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for 1968. The model then continued through two minor facelifts creating first the HT series in mid 1969 (though 'GTS 327' became 'GTS 350' following an increase in engine displacement from 327 in³/5.4 L to 350 in³/5.7 L) which also contested and won the 1969 Bathurst 500 race and then the HG series in 1970. The HT and HG were distinguished from the HK by the adoption of a plastic grille (previously metal), round speedometer instead of "strip" style allowing for bringing the tachometer into the main instrument cluster instead of on the console, and larger tailights where the turn indicators also wrapped around the now slightly undercut edges. Stripes design (where fitted) varied for each series; HK were offset to the left of the bonnet and bootlid and HG had "sidewinder" stripes running along the top edge of the fenders, under the windows and finishing just before the rear pillar. HT and HG GTS's also had air scoops pressed into their bonnets.

Related Topics:
Kingswood - Chevrolet - Bathurst 1000 - Wheels - Car of the Year

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A completely new second generation body design emerged with the HQ series in July 1971 including a new 'LS' (commonly believed to mean "Luxury Sport") model carrying an enlarged 202 in³/3.3 L six-cylinder or V8s up to the 350 and with a standard black vinyl roof. There were no more six cylinder GTS's, though the base model's standard engine was enlarged to 173 in³/2.85 L. The new coupe design had a much larger rear window and a squarer rear quarter window; it was somehow seen as not as sporty looking compared to the earlier three series but is often now considered one of the best looking body designs to come from an Australian producer ever. Until 1973 GTS's did not wear any stripes as such (it was unusual for non-GTS's to have them in the earlier series') and the 350 motor was a little less potent than before, especially with the optional Turbohydramatic automatic transmission. This probably contributed to the downgrade in image as did the replacement of the bigger coupes with the 6 cylinder 186S powered Holden Torana GTRs as the factory entry to the Bathurst races (from 1970).

Related Topics:
1971 - Vinyl roof - Holden Torana

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A heavy facelift adding optional front and rear spoilers and the dropping of the base and 350 in³ (5.7 L) engined models characterised the HJ series in late 1974, until coupe production ended with 600 HX series 'LE' coupes in 1976. A four-door sedan version sometimes refered to as a GTS/4 (basically a Kingswood body with GTS equipment) was also introduced in early 1973 (it and the coupes now included wide centralised bonnet/boot stripes) when a large number of changes were incorporated into the whole HQ series, and then carried on through HJ, HX and HZ series' to 1979, though some of the later ones only had the 'Monaro' name on brochures and not on their badging.

Related Topics:
1974 - 1976 - 1973 - 1979

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Some HT series Monaro 'GTS' coupes were exported to or produced in South Africa from imported parts. Later they were sold under the Chevrolet SS name instead, with revised front styling unique to this model and incorporating four headlights and large turn indicators in the front edge of the fenders above the bumper. Some or all of these had 350 in³ (5.7 L) engines.

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The Monaro is regarded as one of Australia's greatest muscle cars, alongside the Ford Falcon GT, Chrysler's Valiant Charger, and high-performance versions of Holden's own Torana, but it was also produced in much more 'standard' and luxury versions, powered by a variety of lower powered six-cylinder and V8 engines. The most prized models are the original HK Monaro 'GTS 327' and HT and HG Monaro 'GTS 350' coupes.

Related Topics:
Ford Falcon GT - Chrysler's - Valiant Charger - Torana

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