HOLDEN MONARO

The 'Monaro' is a muscle car produced by Holden, the Australian branch of General Motors. The Monaro was produced from 1968 to 1977, and then re-introduced onto the Australian and New Zealand markets in 2001 (discontinued in late 2005). Since 1968, three generations of the Monaro have been produced.

Contents

The original

HK Monaro

HT / HG Monaro

HQ Monaro

HJ Monaro

HX Monaro

HZ GTS

HT Monaro Exports

Revival

Holden Special Vehicles

Export markets

Pontiac GTO

Vauxhall Monaro

Production ends

Future

External links

References

The original

HK Monaro

It was originally introduced in 1968 as a two-door pillarless hardtop coupe based on the full-size Kingswood sedan, and available in three models : the basic Monaro coupe, Monaro 'GTS' coupe and Monaro 'GTS 327' coupe. The cars could be ordered with a choice of six cylinder engines of 161 ci (2.6 L) capacity (base only) or two versions of 186 ci (3.0 L) capacity (GTS with the uprated 186S only), or a 307 ci (5.0 L) capacity Chevrolet-sourced V8. The exclusive 'GTS 327' model was powered by the Chevrolet 327 ci (5.3 L) V8.

HT / HG Monaro

In early 1969 the Monaro range was awarded ''Wheels'' magazine's Car of the Year for 1968. The model then continued through two minor facelifts, with firstly the HT Monaro range released in 1969 followed by the HG Monaro in 1970. With the HT Monaro, 'GTS 327' became 'GTS 350' following an increase in engine displacement with the fully-imported Chevrolet V8 engines. There was also an automatic version of the 'GTS 350' introduced which used a lower power version of the 350ci engine coupled to a 2-speed Powerglide transmission. HT Monaro also marked the phasing out of the 5.0 litre Chevrolet V8 and the introduction of two locally made V8 engines, the 253 ci (4.2 L) and 308 ci (5.0 L). Just prior to introduction of the HG range, Holden made available as an option - except with the Monaro 'GTS 350' - a new locally-produced 3-speed automatic transmission, called the Trimatic.
The HT and HG models of the Monaro can be distinguished from the HK by the adoption of plastic grilles (previously metal), a round speedometer instead of "strip" style allowing for bringing the tachometer into the main instrument cluster instead of on the floor console, rubber front suspension bushes instead of the HK's sintered bronze, and larger taillights where the turn indicators also wrapped around the now slightly undercut edges. Bodywork 'go-faster' stripe designs (delete options) varied for each series; HK stripes were offset to the driver's side of the bonnet (hood) and bootlid (trunk), the HT had two broad stripes down the centre of the car, and the HG had subtle "sidewinder" stripes running along the top edge of the fenders, under the windows and finishing just before the rear pillar. HT and HG models also had twin air scoops / vents incorporated into their bonnet.

HQ Monaro

A completely new generation body design emerged with the HQ series in July 1971, including the new Monaro 'LS' (commonly believed to mean "Luxury Sports") model. There were no longer any six-cylinder versions of the Monaro GTS, just 253 or optional 308 V8s or the top level GTS 350 coupe. The base model Monaro standard engine was enlarged to 173 ci (2.85 L) whilst the Monaro LS had a broad spectrum of engine options from a 202 ci six through to the 350 ci V8. The new coupe design had a much larger rear window and a squarer rear quarter window; it was somehow seen as not as sporty looking compared to the earlier HK-HT-HG series, but is often now considered one of the best looking body designs to come from an Australian producer. Until 1973 the GTS did not wear any body stripes as such and the 350 motor was a little less potent than before, especially with the optional Turbo-hydramatic 3-speed automatic transmission. This probably contributed to a downgrade of the Monaro in muscular image terms, as did the replacement of the bigger coupes with the 6 cylinder powered Holden Torana GTR XU-1s as the chosen GM car for Australian touring car racing. The introduction of bonnet and bootlid paint-outs in 1973 coincided with the release of a four-door sedan version of the Monaro GTS ... features of the Monaro GTS sedans were pretty much as for the coupes, however no base model Monaro sedan existed ... the stripes were created in order that people could differentiate a Monaro GTS sedan from a sports-optioned Kingswood sedan.

HJ Monaro

A heavy facelift adding optional front and rear spoilers and the dropping of the base Monaro and top-shelf 'GTS 350' and similarly-powered LS coupe characterised the introduction of the HJ series in late 1974. Monaro coupe was manufactured as Monaro LS and Monaro GTS, and the sedan version of GTS carried through, often now proving more popular than the coupes. The HJ Monaro LS coupe is close to the rarest regular production car made in Australia with only about 300 produced. There were approximately 600 HJ Monaro GTS coupes produced up until introduction of the HX series in mid-1976.

HX Monaro

New emissions regulations heralded the HX Monaro GTS and with it, the decision by Holden to cease manufacturing the Monaro in two-door coupe form. So, to see it off, 580 examples of a 5.0 litre V8 limited edition coupe were produced, appropriately called the Limited Edition, or 'LE' for short, and all painted an exclusive metallic colour called 'LE Red'. Surprisingly, the LE was not referred to or badged as a Monaro, but in most enthusiasts' eyes it is the last of 'the real Monaros'.

HZ GTS

Although the Monaro name had survived into 1977 as the HX Monaro GTS sedan, with the coupe now a part of history Holden decided to delete the name altogether from the new HZ Holden range. With the development of Radial Tuned Suspension, Holden transformed the bland characteristics of their full-size sedans and introduced a sporting variant called simply 'GTS'. But, with the November 1978 introduction of the new mid/full-size VB Commodore sedan and its availability with V8 engine power, the days of the HZ series appeared numbered. The HZ GTS was however a great driver's car and featured a four headlight grille and front and rear spoilers and in its final year of production in 1978/79 had the 5.0 litre V8 fitted as standard equipment.
Ultimately, the VB Commodore proved very popular in both six-cylinder and V8 form, such that all full-size HZ Holdens were phased out of production in 1979/80 to be replaced only in panel van, ute / one-tonner form - and the totally revamped Statesman sedans - in the compressed WB Holden range released in April 1980.

HT Monaro Exports

Some HT series Monaro 'GTS' coupes were exported to or produced in South Africa from imported parts by the Thomas Bradford Co. Later they were sold under the Chevrolet SS name instead, with revised front styling unique to this model and incorporating four headlights and large turn indicators in the front edge of the fenders above the bumper. Some or all of these had 350 in³ (5.7 L) engines.

Revival

Some 20 years passed before a Commodore Coupé show car was shown at the Sydney Motor Show in 1998. Journalists quickly christened it the Monaro, encouraging Holden to build it. The show car was designed for production and by 2001, the V2 series Monaro was launched after General Motors spent a mere A$60 million over a brief 22-month gestation (although 12 to 18 were targeted). It was available in CV6 (production ceased in mid 2004) and CV8 models with a supercharged 3.8 L V6 and a 5.7 L Gen III V8, choice of a 6 speed manual or 4 speed automatic, and soon to be known as one of the fastest stock cars in the world. A series 2 model debuted in early 2003 with a revised dashboard from the VY series Commodore, a new wheel design and some colours dropped and new ones added. The CV6 model was dropped after disappointing sales (reputedly 10 times as many were built as CV8s) when a Series 3 model appeared in 2004.

Holden Special Vehicles

An HSV version (not called Monaro but Coupe) in 'GTO' (255-297 kW) and 'GTS' (300 kW tuned by Callaway) versions debuted soon after the "series 1" Monaro editions, with higher output 5.7 L engines and unique body kits. Later the 'GTS' version was dropped but a four-wheel drive version called 'Coupe4' appeared.
Two special edition CV8-R Monaros were released, the first in a grey colour and the second in a more muted red. Each had special wheels and other distinguishing features.
The hottest Monaro was the HRT 427 (Holden Racing Team 427ci) this was a supercar version of the Monaro built by HSV, this car used the 427 in³ (7 L) C5R Chevrolet racing engine modified by HRT and HSV to suit the Aussie coupe. The HRT 427 had two seats, a semi–roll cage, race suspension, racing brakes and ram air induction as well as other things. This supercar was quicker than a Ferarri 360 Modena and Lamborghini Gallardo. It had 420 kW and could sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in under 4 seconds. Unfortunately, to the disappointment of Holden fans, plans for production were dropped due to a reportedly unworkable business case.
However, a GT racecar version of the HRT 427, built by Garry Rogers Motorsport, went on to win the 2002 and 2003 Bathurst 24 hour against many world class race cars including Porsche GT3s, the British Mosler MT900R, the Ferarri GT Modena and the Lamborghini Diablo GT Racecar, proving it really could have been a world beating car. The second win was also Holden touring car legend Peter Brock's 10th endurance race win at Bathurst, an amazing achievement for a 60 year old. Although the car had extraordinary power it will not inherit the heroic status of the famous 1970's muscle car, the Falcon GT HO phase III. Three cars were built. Two for Garry Rogers Motorsport's Bathurst 24 Hour campaigns while a third was built and raced by Peter Brock and his stepson James in Nations Cup racing.

Export markets

Most recently, the current Monaro has been exported to overseas markets. It is sold, in left hand drive, in the Middle East as the Chevrolet Lumina Coupe, and in the United States as the Pontiac GTO, reviving another classic muscle car icon. However its poor US sales have lead to it being described as a 'flop' by at least one commentator ^[1]. It was withdrawn from the US market in 2006, although a few were still on dealer's lots in 2007.

Pontiac GTO

Complaints about the Pontiac GTO's sedate styling from American consumers saw the addition of two hood scoops in 2005, with the VZ series Monaro, to recall the later muscle-car variants of the late 1960s' models. The hood scoops serve no functional purpose. In the eyes of the Australian press, the scoops have spoiled the lines, while the American media seem to accept them. The 2005 and 2006 GTO also received a Gen IV 6.0 L engine putting out 400 hp (298 kW); the Australian HSV GTO coupe got a similar engine in its Z series; and Vauxhall launched this as the Monaro VXR in the UK.

Vauxhall Monaro

The Monaro is also sold in the United Kingdom as the Vauxhall Monaro where it won ''Top Gear's best muscle car award.
To the delight of British motorists, Vauxhall offered the Monaro buyer a special treat prior to the discontinuation of the model: the VXR 500. A Harrop supercharger was installed onto the standard GM 6.0 LS2 engine by Vauxhall dealer Greens of Rainham in conjunction with tuning firm Wortec, bumping up power to 500 bhp (373 kW) and bumping up torque as well to 500 lbf·ft (677 N·m). In addition to this, a shorter gear linkage was added to enable quicker shifts. The resultant acceleration times too were impressive at 4.8 seconds from rest to 62 mph (100 km/h).^[2]
With the end of production, Vauxhall opted to replace the Monaro in 2007 with the HSV Clubsport R8 4-door sedan. The new model drops the Monaro VXR name and will simply be referred to as the Vauxhall VXR8.

Production ends

In July 2005 Holden announced that production of the current generation Monaro would soon be coming to an end. A limited-edition model, the CV8-Z, was produced to farewell the legendary coupe. Like the earlier CV8-R models the CV8-Z's had extra features including a metallic orange colour, special wheels and a sunroof as standard; the same price was charged for the CV8-Z's as the prior VZ CV8's.
The last Holden Monaro-badged coupe was purchased by Emerald, Queensland businessman Darryl Mattingley for $AUD187,355.55— around three times the normal retail price, on 19 February 2006. The car was bought through eBay, with the money going to the Leukemia Foundation, setting an Australian eBay record for highest price to date in the process. Mattingley, a huge Ford collector, has stated that his only Holden will not be registered, but will make appearances at auto shows. Auction details.
The coupe remained in production for HSV and export markets until 14 June 2006 when the last model, a Pontiac GTO, quietly rolled off the production line bound for the US. [1]

Future

It is rumoured that there will be a Holden VE Commodore based Monaro. The VE's platform is designed to be adaptable for both coupes and convertibles, and management inside Holden believe it will return— although it may not be built in Australia. The Australian media believe that the next Monaro could be based on the forthcoming Chevrolet Camaro.

External links

★ LSXGTO.net - Pontiac GTO / Holden Monaro Online Forums

★ Monaro History at Holden.com.au

★ Holden Car Clubs of Australia

★ LS1, LS2, L98 and Holden Tuning and Techincal Forum

★ Australian LS1 and Holden Forums

★ LSx Advanced Automotive Forum

★ Vauxhall Monaro VXR - article by Jeremy Clarkson

★ Used Vauxhall Monaro information

★ Holden, HSV & Monaro Uk forum

★ MP3 of Modern Motor Magazine Testing The 1971 HG Holden

★ Holden History

★ Greens of Rainham

★ Wortec the creators of the VXR500

★ Holden Monaros from prototypes to late models

References

1. http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=5074
2. Vauxhall Monaro VXR 500 vs Jaguar XKR