Holden Monaro

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Holden Monaro
Manufacturer:	Holden
Production:	1968 - 2005
Class:	Muscle car
Body style:	2-door convertible 2-door coupé

1968 - 1971
Production:	1968 - 1971
Engine:	6 cyl 161 in³ (2.6 L) (base model) 6 cyl 186 in³ (3.0 L) (GTS with an uprated 186S only) V8 307 in³ (5.0 L)

1971 - 1979
Production:	1971 - 1979
Engine:	6 cyl 173in³/2.85L (base model) 6 cyl 202 in³ (3.3 L) (LS model) V8 350 in³ (5.7 L) (GTS model)

2001 - 2005
Production:	2001 - 2005
Engine:	V6 supercharged 3.8 L (232 in³) (CV6 model) V8 5.7 L (346 in³) (CV8 model)
Transmission:	6-speed manual 4-speed automatic

The Monaro is a car produced by Holden, the Australian branch of General Motors. The Monaro was produced from 1968 to 1979, 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.

It was originally introduced as a two-door pillarless hardtop coupe based on the HK series Kingswood sedan in base, 'GTS' and 'GTS 327' models. Base and GTS models could be ordered with a choice of a six cylinder engine of 161 in³ (2.6 L) capacity (base only) or 186 in³ (3.0 L) (GTS with an uprated 186S only) or a 307 in³ (5.0 L) capacity V8. The 'GTS 327' model were powered by Chevrolet's 327 in³ (5.3 L) 'small block' V8; in its first few months several 'GTS 327's were entered in the annual Bathurst 500 (now Bathurst 1000—being 1000 kilometres or 621 miles rather than 500 miles or 805 kilometres), endurance race and won it. In early 1969 the Monaro range was Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for 1968. The model then continued through two minor facelifts creating first the HT series in mid 1969 (though 'GTS 327' became 'GTS 350' following an increase in engine displacement from 327 in³ (5.3 L) to 350 in³ (5.7 L) which also contested and won the 1969 Bathurst 500 race and then the HG series in 1970. The HT and HG were distinguished from the HK by the adoption of plastic grilles (previously metal), round speedometer instead of "strip" style allowing for bringing the tachometer into the main instrument cluster instead of on the 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. Stripes design (where fitted) varied for each series; HK were offset to the left of the bonnet (hood) and bootlid (trunk) and HG had "sidewinder" stripes running along the top edge of the fenders, under the windows and finishing just before the rear pillar. HT and HG GTS's also had air scoops pressed into their bonnets.

A completely new second generation body design emerged with the HQ series in July 1971 including a new 'LS' (commonly believed to mean "Luxury Sport") model carrying an enlarged 202 in³ (3.3 L) six-cylinder or V8s up to the 350 and with a standard black vinyl roof. There were no more six cylinder GTS's, though the base model's standard engine was enlarged to 173 in³ (2.85 L). 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 three series but is often now considered one of the best looking body designs to come from an Australian producer. Until 1973 GTS's did not wear any stripes as such (it was unusual for non-GTS's to have them in the earlier series) and the 350 motor was a little less potent than before, especially with the optional Turbohydramatic automatic transmission. This probably contributed to the downgrade in image as did the replacement of the bigger coupes with the 6 cylinder 186ci powered Holden Torana GTR XU-1s as the factory entry to the Bathurst races (from 1970).

A heavy facelift adding optional front and rear spoilers and the dropping of the base and 350 in³ (5.7 L) engined models characterised the HJ series in late 1974, until coupe production ended with 600 HX series 'LE' coupes in 1976. A four-door sedan version sometimes referred to as a GTS/4 (basically a Kingswood body with GTS equipment) was also introduced in early 1973 (it and the coupes now included wide centralised bonnet/boot stripes) when a large number of changes were incorporated into the whole HQ series, and then carried on through HJ, HX and HZ series' to 1979, though some of the later ones only had the 'Monaro' name on brochures and not on their badging.

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.

The Monaro is regarded as one of Australia's greatest muscle cars, alongside the Ford Falcon GT, Chrysler's Valiant Charger, and high-performance versions of Holden's own Torana, but it was also produced in much more 'standard' and luxury versions, powered by a variety of lower powered six-cylinder and V8 engines. The most prized models are the original HK Monaro 'GTS 327' and HT and HG Monaro 'GTS 350' coupes.

1 Revival
2 VXR 500
3 Future
4 External links
5 References

[edit] Revival

2006 HSV GTO Coupé, based on the Monaro

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.

A 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 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 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. Had the HRT 427 road car been built it would probably have the same heroic status as the other famous aussie supercar (of its time) the Falcon GT HO Phase III.

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. It is also sold in the United Kingdom as the Vauxhall Monaro where it won Top Gear's best muscle car award.

Vauxhall Monaro VXR at the 2006 British International Motor Show

Complaints about the Pontiac GTO's sedate styling from American consumers saw the addition of two bonnet scoops in 2005, with the VZ series Monaro, to recall the later muscle-car variants of the late 1960s' models. The bonnet 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.

Holden's PR says that the scoops recall the HT Monaro.

Third generation Monaro production finished on December 13, 2005. The last Pontiac GTO was produced with little fanfare on June 17, 2006. HSV GTO coupes may also continue longer than the Monaro itself. Like the earlier CV8-R models CV8-Zs had extra features including a metallic orange colour, special wheels and a sunroof as standard; the same price was charged for the CV8-Zs as the prior VZ CV8s.

The last ever Monaro was purchased by Emerald, Queensland businessman Darryl Mattingley for $AUD187,355.55—around three times the normal retail price. 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.

[edit] VXR 500

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) ^[1].

[edit] 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.