Unique Cars and Parts: Holden

Historical article recovered from a Wayback capture dated 2004-12-09.

The sleek, pillarless two-door was introduced six months after the rest of the range and soon took pride of place in Holden dealer showrooms across the country.

Its ‘boy racer’ appeal was universal - a tribute to the foresight of the then Managing Director of GM-H, Max Wilson, who was instrumental in the development of the Monaro design and engineering concept and who recognised its long-term potential.

The pillarless two-door was a new concept for Australians and with a choice of three models, standard, GTS and GTS 327 and six engines choices they catered for everyone and more importantly it was accepted by everyone unless you were a staunch Ford fan. The Monaro was available in three variants: standard, GTS and GTS 327.

It boasted potent performance and looked every inch the part with its long, wide body, flared wheel arches and sweeping roofline. In GTS form, the Monaro sported black rally stripes, unique wheel trims, paint finishes and tail light treatment.

The standard Monaro was powered by a 3.05 litre 186 six-cylinder engine teamed with a column shift three-speed manual. Other engine choices included a higher-spec 186S six and an imported 5.0 litre 307 V8, matched with four-speed console mounted manual or two-speed Powerglide auto transmission.

The HK Monaro was Australia’s version of a two door sports car and following the American trends which Holden Australia used to base all of it’s previous models, even with the use of a 327 cid V8 engine up front.

This was a clear intention to Ford who was Holden’s main rival in Australia that it wanted to win at the races with the saying ‘What wins on sunday sells on monday’, was just as relevant in Australia as anywhere else in the world.

The HK range was marketed as ‘New Generation’ and was launched in early 1968 which comprised various models, the Monaro was introduced in July with a clear intention of giving it a racer image in the form of the GTS 327. The 327 V8 was the largest engine ever offered in a lion badge and was a huge step up with over 100 bhp more than the HR’s 186s which was the benchmark.

It wasn’t long before the racing Monaro made it’s debut and what a debut with a first race win by Tony Roberts and Bob Watson in a GTS 327 Monaro at the 1968 Sandown 3-hour enduro.

Bathurst turned out to be a Monaro benefit as they swept all aside for a Monaro 1-2-3 with the car of Bruce McPhee and Barry Mulholland (privateers) winning and Jim Palmer/Phil West in second with Tony Roberts/Bob Watson in third place.

The Monaro had staked it’s claim on the Mountain but with Ford winning the year before it was the decider in 1969 but the Monaro made it two from two with Colin Bond and Tony Roberts claiming victory from McPhee/Mulholland in there GTHO and finishing third was Des West and Peter Brock who had joined Harry Firths team.

The Ford verses Holden rivalry was born with the Falcon vs Monaro and in particular at Bathurst where it is most noticable and continues today. Even though the ‘Real Bathurst’ is not raced on the first sunday of October any more the rivalry stills continues the same.

Also see: Holden Red Motor