1971 Holden HQ Monaro 350 GTS Coupe (Project)

Description

A landmark car in the history of Holden, the HQ was almost entirely new with only the engines and some transmissions carried over from the previous HG. Designed and built for Australian conditions, the HQ had the most local input of any Holden to that point and featured unitary construction along with improvements to the brakes, coil-sprung suspension all round and enhanced safety equipment. As a result, the HQ became the best performing Australian car to date and by quite some margin. With an extensive range of models, Holden built an HQ to suit every need and the Monaro name was again applied to a two-door hardtop coupe variant (although for the first time a four-door Monaro was made available as well). The Monaro was sold in various guises, including the base model, LS, GTS and GTS 350. The GTS models had full instrumentation in a machine-turned fascia, black vinyl trim with optional checked Houndstooth inserts, blacked out grille, unique wheels and front guard vents. Although the 253-ci V8 was standard issue on the GTS, performance oriented buyers could opt for either the 308-ci V8 or the hero 350-ci V8. The larger V8s came with the new, locally made M21 four-speed manual (with synchro on all gears) as standard. The HQ proved a great success with the press and public alike and is still held in fond regard by enthusiasts today, particularly in desirable Monaro GTS 350 form as found here.