FEATURE – 1973 HOLDEN HQ MONARO GTS - JUST CARS

FEATURE – 1973 Holden HQ Monaro GTS

Words: Mike Ryan

Photos: Prestige Motor Gallery, NSW

When Holden launched their HQ Series, it was new in so many ways. Along with new models and an all-new body design, the HQ saw some familiar engines given a new edge, a hi-po powerplant farewelled and a new take on the Monaro come to market.

Debuting in July, 1971, and remaining in production until late 1974, (the second longest production run of any Holden up that point), the HQ Series is regarded by many as one of the best-looking Holdens of all time. With more than 485,000 built across sedan, wagon, coupe and commercial variants, it was also one of the most successful. It wasn’t a “build it and they will come” approach, though. Holden had to work hard and adapt their range to suit customer tastes and the market, with the expansion of the Monaro name to a four-door being an example of that.

Two is Not Enough

It's already been well documented that sales of large, sporty two-door cars in Australia were meagre, even at the peak of their popularity. The Monaro, Falcon hardtop and Charger were great halo cars for their respective manufacturers, but never huge sellers, especially when compared to the bread-and-butter sedans. Holden realised this earlier than most, given they had launched the Monaro in 1968 and were already looking for a way out just a few years later.

The HQ Series did launch with a two-door, but with the Torana representing GM-H on the racetrack since 1970, the Monaro was losing its visibility and relevance.

To shift Monaro buyers into something that had the same appeal, but more practicality, Holden first developed the 'SS', which took the base Belmont sedan and added a 253 V8, dual exhausts, a four-speed manual transmission, 10-bolt diff, radial tyres and stiffer suspension. Ventilated front guards, sports wheels and a blackout grille were taken directly from the Monaro to give the SS a sporty look, aided by unique decals and stripes. Inside, the Monaro’s instrument cluster, steering wheel and sports bucket seats were added to the bare bones Belmont trim.

Announced in August, 1972, the SS’s cool looks and low price of $3,295 (when a similarly equipped Monaro cost $3,720) saw the initial run of 1,600 units sell out, prompting a further 1,200 to be built before the end of 1972. This gave Holden the confidence to launch a four-door Monaro, which came to market in March, 1973.

Still Here

While the two-door Monaro wasn’t being ignored in this period, it wasn’t being highlighted, either. That was especially true for the GTS 350, which was the most potent version of the two-door available in the HQ Series.

The 350 Small Block V8 had been introduced with the HT Monaro and continued through the HG into the HQ Series. However, by this stage, Holden had the locally-developed and built 253 and 308 V8s that offered good (or at least good enough) performance and were cheaper than the fully imported Chevrolet 350. By way of comparison, a Monaro GTS with the 253 V8 cost $3,720 when new, while the GTS 350 was $4,630. That price difference of almost $1,000 was significant in 1970s Australia.

To shine a stronger light on this, just 78 units of the HQ Monaro GTS 350 two-door rolled off the line in 1972 and it’s believed that only 402 were built in total.

From 1971 to 1974, unconfirmed numbers suggest 13,782 Monaros were built – just over 3 per cent of the entire HQ production - and that total is believed to include the four-doors, too.

When the HJ Series Holdens launched in late-1974, the Monaro continued in two- and four-door form, but the 350 was no longer offered, leaving the 308 as the most powerful engine option. Production dropped to just 4,754 on the HJ Series and the two-door would finally bow out with a 600-unit ‘Limited Edition’ on the HX Series in 1976. This carried no Monaro identification and was sold on luxury, rather than performance.

Today, the HQ Monaro’s small production numbers have made any example desirable, with six-figure asking prices for two-door models now the rule, rather than the exception.

Purple Power

The Monaro two-door featured here is a 1973 model that’s currently for sale with Prestige Motor Gallery in Sydney. It started as a genuine GTS with the 308 and M21 four-speed manual transmission, but now runs a 350 Small Block and Ford Toploader as part of a full, nut-and-bolt restoration that was completed seven years ago. The 350 is no standard crate engine, with stronger internals and other modifications resulting in a claimed 500hp (372kW). Compare that to the 275hp (205kW) from a factory GTS 350 in 1973!

That extra grunt isn’t apparent on first inspection, with the exterior and interior appearing totally stock. It’s only when you open the bonnet and see the modern, Chevrolet-branded valve covers and air cleaner that you know there’s a bit more going on here.

Engine and transmission aside, this Monaro is authentic to factory GTS spec in most other aspects. The restoration saw it repainted in Royal Purple - a rare colour that was only offered in 1972 and the same as what this car wore originally. Accenting this are ‘350’ decals on the front guards and white bonnet/boot stripes that were introduced to the GTS Monaros in 1973.

Inside, there's the correct GTS steering wheel, dash and instrumentation, as well as signature Monaro black vinyl seats with houndstooth cloth inserts. The cabin hasn’t been blighted by a modern stereo or other aftermarket add-ons, so there’s no indication that this car is offering something much more than a normal GTS 350 – until you put your foot down!

Fully restored in 2017, this HQ Monaro GTS features a performance 350 V8 crate motor and Ford Toploader manual in place of the original 308 and four-speed transmission. Repainted in its factory Royal Purple and retrimmed in authentic GTS style inside, the restoration is largely authentic, with only a few variations from standard – mainly to do with the engine.