Incredibly, the HK had been on the market a bare 12 months when it was superseded by the HT
This was a whole lot more than just a facelift model, though there were the inevitable changes to trim and graphics.
However the big news was the new range of engines coming through. The US-sourced 307 was to be phased out, while the local 253 joined the line-up, eventually followed by the 308.
Thanks to the ongoing performance wars, particularly with Ford’s Falcon, a GM-sourced 350 V8 became the premium powerplant.
For many, the 253 was a revelation. Some 36 kilos heavier than a 186, it claimed 185 horses versus 145 for the S version of the six. The 308 meanwhile claimed 240 horses and the 350, when mated to a manual transmission, some 300hp.
The auto version of the 350 ran lower compression and some 25hp less. Despite the power drop, the auto was widely praised as a quick and easy-going road car.
Holden also got stuck into the chassis, with some changes intended to provide a smoother ride. Most significant according to the Holden release of the day was "the new Y-frame engine cradle which isolates the engine transmission assembly from the passenger compartment, and the new front end geometry setting which gives an improved steering feel and greatly improved directional control".
Incredibly, the 161 engine remained as the base powerplant for the Monaro. As with the HK, the orders must have been few given the upgrade to 186 was not a lot of money.
A year had seen the prices rise a little, but not so much that you’d be picketing the factory gates. The base price was now $2651, while the base GTS with 186S engine and Opel four-speed manual was now $3183. The mighty GTS 350 with its distinctive bonnet ‘nostrils’ started at $3995 – substantial money but still something of a bargain.
Production numbers reached 14,172, including export cars.
The HJ Monaro LS coupé is close to being the rarest regular production car ever made in Australia with only 337 units produced. The HJ Monaro GTS coupé was discontinued during 1975 due to falling demand, 606 examples of the GTS were made.
In manual guise the 350 remained a real rocketship, with a 10.25:1 compression ratio and 300 bhp on tap, making this the most powerful Holden yet. Nobody is certain exactly how many HT 350s were made but the best estimate seems to be around 700.
The price range for the Holden Monaro varies based on the trim level you choose. Starting at $28,160 and going to $33,880 for the latest year the model was manufactured. The model range is available in the following body types starting from the engine/transmission specs shown below.
The LC brought six cylinders to the Torana. 1970: This was the year Holden cracked the magic 200,000 cars built in a calendar year. 1971: The HQ would go on to become Holden's best-selling model ever. In just over three years, it sold almost a half-a-million units.
Holden HT Belmont, Kingswood and Premier models were introduced in May 1969, replacing their Holden HK series equivalents which had been in production since 1968.
Despite an end to production of the Holden Monaro-badged coupe it remained in production for HSV and for export markets until 14 June 2006 when the last model, a Pontiac GTO, quietly rolled off the production line bound for the US.
The name 'Monaro' is variously believed to be: derived from the Aboriginal word 'Maneroo', meaning plain, or an Aboriginal word meaning 'the navel' or 'a woman's breasts'.
Holden blamed a strong Australian currency, high manufacturing costs and a small domestic market among the reasons for exit of local manufacturing. This led to the announcement, on 11 December 2013, that Holden would cease vehicle and engine production by the end of 2017.
Named after the Monaro region in New South Wales, the Monaro was introduced in July 1968 as a two-door pillarless hardtop coupe available in three models: the basic Monaro coupe, Monaro 'GTS' coupe & Monaro 'GTS 327' coupe.
Which is the most expensive and rarest car in the world? The most rarest car in the world is the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé. Only two of these cars were ever built, and one of them was sold at auction in 2022 for $142.9 million (AED 524,884,561).
For the third time this year an Australian-made car has sold for a record price. In what is believed to be the new record, an extremely rare 1972 Ford Falcon XA GTHO Phase IV has been bought by a collector for approximately $2 million, according to the seller.
Introduction: My name is Rueben Jacobs, I am a cooperative, beautiful, kind, comfortable, glamorous, open, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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