Checklist
HOLDEN HQ GTS 350 MONARO
BODY & CHASSIS
Genuine GTS 350s have sat high enough and for long enough in the value charts to justify quality restoration work, or at least confirmation that they don’t need any. That said, if you’re considering an outlay of $200K or more the cost of getting it to a reputable body shop for pre-purchase inspection is negligible. Look for bulges, bubbles and paint flaws, especially in the rear quarter panels, turret edges and sills. Underneath look at the floors for rust or impact damage. Reproduction bumpers can be found but it may be preferable (although more expensive) to have original brightwork repaired and rechromed.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Small-block Chevrolet engines are among the most prolific and competent engines ever made. The trick before paying top money for a car with one of these engines is to have its authenticity (or otherwise) confirmed. There is no excuse given the relatively low cost of reconditioning for these engines to display faults of any kind including oil leaks. Modifications that affect visual authenticity should be reversed pre-sale in order to maximise a car’s value. Four-speed gearboxes are heavy by nature to use and can whine or send vibrations through the gear-lever. Clunks or clicking noises mean internal damage and be wary of a slipping clutch in seldom used cars.
Vital Stats
NUMBER BUILT: 13,782 BODY: integrated body /chassis t wo-door coupe or four-door sedan ENGINE : 574 0cc V8 with overhead valves and Rochester 4V carburet tor POWER & TORQUE: 205kW @ 4 800rpm, 4 86Nm @ 3200rpm (GTS 350 manual) PERFORMANCE: 0-9 6km /h: 8.1 seconds, 0-4 0 0 metres 15.6 seconds (GTS 350 manual) TRANSMISSION: 4-speed manual, 3-speed automatic SUSPENSION: Independent with coil springs, wishbones, telescopic shock absorbers & anti-roll bar (f) ; live axle with coil springs, locating arms & telescopic shock absorbers (r) BRAKES: disc (f) drum (r) with power assistance TYRES: D70H14 radial
SUSPENSION & BRAKES
HQ Monaros have softer suspension settings than previous ‘Bathurst’ versions. After-market springs, bushings and shock absorbers can minimise body roll but don’t do much to enhance mid-bend grip or live rear axle problems on corrugated roads. If the front bounces unduly factor in the cost of some new shock absorbers, however cars with edge-worn tyres will be up for more costly work. Cars that have seen minimal use for several years might need attention to age-hardened suspension bushings. Standard brakes are OK for recreational driving however anyone who wants to have some fun on club ‘track days’ needs to look at aftermarket components, mated to bigger rims with low-profile rubber.
INTERIOR & ELECTRICS
The interior is where an exceptional GTS can stand apart from ‘good for their age’ examples. Check seats for twisted frames and that they move easily on the runners and that seatbacks in two-door cars lock into place. Virtually any item required when returning a worn HQ interior to as-new is available. Sets of replacement seat vinyl cost $2000, with refurbished door cards at half that money. Dash components, new door hardware and hood-lining are being remanufactured. Check all electrical switches as a matter of course and that all the dash warning lights work. Wind down the rear quarter glass in twodoor cars. Winders can jam from infrequent use but it may also indicate water entry and rusted window channels.