1969 Holden HT Monaro GTS 350 'Bathurst' Coupe

Description

Holden’s first attempt at a sport coupe, the Monaro, proved so popular in its original HK guise there was no question it would continue with the facelifted HT model introduced in May 1969. The most obvious external change was a revised grille (made from ABS plastic), along with a more squared-off rear section, with stacked tail lights. Although the HT Monaro range remained essentially the same as the HK’s, Holden replaced the Bathurst 327 with the new GTS 350, using Chevrolet’s legendary small-block V8 motor in a local product for the first time, becoming Holden’s new Bathurst hero. With Harry Firth masterminding the Holden Dealer Team operation, Colin Bond teamed up with Tony Roberts to score a fine win in the Mount Panorama enduro, while Des West and Peter Brock joined forces to finish third. Norm Beechey’s famous yellow HT 350 GTS won the inaugural ATCC and is widely regarded as one of the greatest home-grown race cars. Switching to the Torana as its frontline race weapon in 1970 made the HT 350 the last real Bathurst homologation Monaro built by Holden and the model always been sought after by collectors for that reason. Holden broadened the appeal of the 350 GTS by making it available with automatic transmission, these cars having a slightly lower compression and detuned engine, marketed as a businessman’s express. In manual guise however, the 350 was a real rocket ship, with a 10.25:1 compression ratio and 300 bhp on tap, making this the most potent Holden yet. The GTS package added bonnet scoops, stripes and unique wheel trims, along with the option of houndstooth trim. Other mechanical improvements made across the HT range included the adoption of neoprene rubber front suspension bushes to replace the old steel bushings on the HK, resulting in a much more comfortable, quieter ride. The interior also came in for some revision, with a new seat design, door trims and revised instrumentation using more conventional round dials in place of the HK’s old strip speedo. Nobody is certain exactly how many HT 350s were made but the best estimate seems to be around 700 and each of the survivors is regarded as a Blue Chip Aussie muscle car today.