1971 Holden HQ LS Monaro 253 Coupe

Description

The all-new HQ series introduced in July 1971 was a milestone car for General Motors Holden, boasting brand new styling, unitary construction, new suspension, brakes and interiors. The model range was greatly expanded and performance enthusiasts were well catered for with the Monaro two-door coupe, although Holden announced a four-door Monaro would be offered for the first time in March 1973. Available in three trim levels, including the base model, the more luxury oriented LS and the sporty GTS, the Monaro was also offered with a wide range of engine and transmission combinations. Described in Holden's own advertising as ?luxurious personal transportation?, the LS (which stood for Luxury Sport) package as offered here was effectively a two-door Premier and featured power front disc brakes, reclining bucket seats for the driver and front passenger. The seats were trimmed in either leather-grained vinyl or Diamond Cloth and the instrument panel had a burl walnut finish, along with the HQ's new flow-thru ventilation system. The LS came with the 202-cid six as standard but could be optioned with any of the V8s, either the 253-cid as found in this car, or the bigger 350-cid unit and transmission choices included the Tri-matic (with either T-bar or column change) or a four-speed manual. The LS was also the only Monaro given the quad-headlamp frontal and vinyl roof treatment (in standard black or optional Antique Brown or Saddle), lending Holden's sporty coupe a more refined, elegant appearance. Although individual production figures for the Monaro LS aren't known, relatively few were made and fewer still survive, with a great many having been modified over the years.