HK HOLDEN MONARO 50 YEARS

HALF A CENTURY HAS GONE BY SINCE THE FIRST MONARO ROLLED OFF THE PRODUCTION LINE

Ahome-grown hero, and one of the most celebrated Aussie muscle cars ever, hit a milestone on April 30: 50 years since very first HK Monaro rolled off the production line, nearly three months ahead of its commercial release.

With the HK developed and intended to win at the Australian Touring Car Championship, the Monaro was destined to be an Australian motorsport mainstay. It burst on to the market with a bang, winning our sister mag

Wheels Car of the Year award in its debut year.

With engine choices spanning from six-cylinders, to the 307ci V8, to the top of the range GTS 327, the Monaro was an instant hit.

The soon-updated HT saw the 327 replaced by a 350, and introduced the Holden 253 and 308s.

Just 12 months later, the HT was further updated as the HG, representing the last of the original and iconic Monaro shape.

The second-generation HQ Monaro released in July of 1971. With a retail price of just $3500 on the road, it was extremely affordable and, in equal measures, capable.

With an initial run of just 1500 cars, dealers couldn’t keep up with orders. Even after a second run of 1300 cars, Aussies around the country couldn’t get enough.

The HJ shared the same body as the HQ but gained a stouter square front end. The HJ also saw out the 350 Chev, which to this day, makes the HQ GTS 350 much sought after.

The HX debuting in mid-1976 saw the iconic coupe body shape sent on hiatus with a limited run of LEs, using up the remaining coupe shells.

The sedan-only body offerings continued throughout the succeeding HZ, until 1998 when the curtain dropped on Holden’s drop-dead gorgeous Coupe concept.

Five years later, the Monaro finally re-released to the public, based off the V X Commodore. The supercharged CV6 only available with an automatic gearbox was pulled from the lineup after just one year, leaving only the Gen III V8s. The CV8Z marked the final run out in 2005, ultimately leaving the Monaro name as a bygone icon of the local auto industry.

The regret at their passing has seen prices for early cars surge to new heights, though late models are more affordable. See tradeuniquecars.com.au and search news &reviews for ‘Monaro’ to find a wealth of online features.