Holden HX LE Coupe
Reviewed by Unique Cars and Parts
Our Rating: 5
Introduction
This final coupe was exceptional and exclusive enough
to ensure that the original Monaro concept had an appropriate
send-off.
Although the limited edition LE coupe did not
carry the Monaro nameplate, Holden fans regard it as a
true blue member of the breed. The LE arrived in August
1976, almost two months after the HX series release.
The run of just 580 LE coupes was produced at Holden's
Pagewood plant in Sydney, which specialised in the exacting
low volume assembly of luxury Statesman and Caprice models.
It was a fine tribute to the Monaro heritage that these
last coupes were custom-built as top-shelf Holden models.
The LE appeared with gold pinstriping and lettering over
an arresting shade of metallic crimson and sported unique
gold-finished 14x7-inch polycast wheels.
It came with
a
308, Turbo-Hydramatic and Salisbury limited slip differential
only, all high-performance Monaro hardware.
Outside, it
featured the four headlight (quartz halogen) HX Premier
front and integrated, colour-keyed front and rear spoilers.
The passenger compartment combined GTS features with a
walnut finish dash fascia and centre console, with crushed
velour and cloth trim.
Its comprehensive equipment listing
included power windows, power steering, power aerial,
integrated
air-conditioning, heated rear window, quadraphonic
eight track cartridge player and tinted windows.
Based on the Monaro, using a Monaro coupe body.
Holdens wanted to run out the HJ coupe bodies before they released the HX series, with something special and created the LE. It was built at the Pagewood plant which was the plant that Statesman and Caprice came from.
Holdens used up the HJ body shells from 1975 as the HX was being released....essentially a combination of Monaro GTS and Statesman Caprice components.
Although not badged a 'Monaro' nor was it badged a Statesman, it should be considered as a GTS Monaro since it had the same body and running gear as an auto 308 Monaro or in fact, it could also be considered as a GTS Statesman Coupe.
It sold well, despite the high price and was revered by Monaro owners of the time.
Its a rare vehicle in its own right and difficult to 'slot' into any existing name hierarchy.
The last of the Monaros was the HJ Coupes, then the LE. After that the sports sedans were simply badged 'GTS'..
The LE the crowning glory to Monaro's as a prestige edition...with a prestigious name ..."The LE"