1973 Holden HQ Monaro GTS 350 Sedan

The all-new HQ series introduced in July 1971 was a milestone car for General Motors Holden, boasting brand new styling, unitary construction, new suspension, brakes and interiors. The model range was greatly expanded and performance enthusiasts were well catered for with the Monaro, available in either two or four-door (from early 1973 on) guise for the first time. The HQ was the final Monaro offered with the option of the Chevrolet-sourced 350-cid V8, churning out a thumping 275bhp and 360lb/ft of torque, with a choice of M41 Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 auto transmission or the much less commonly specified heavy-duty fully-synchro four-speed manual. Boasting steel sports wheels, well equipped premium interior and revised exterior styling, the Monaro GTS package was available at the hefty price of $4,635 when a base Kingswood was nearly $2,000 cheaper. Production figures for the Monaro are a little uncertain but it would appear no more than 800 HQ Monaro GTS sedans were made with the 350-cid V8, of which an estimated 200 came with the Muncie four-speed 'box (from the total HQ Monaro production of 13,000). With the modern Monaro helping revive interest in the classic models of the 1960s and 1970s, with muscle cars like the GTS 350 becoming increasingly sought after.