1968 Holden HK GTS 327 'Bathurst' Monaro Coupe (Project)

Description

With the advent of the all-new HK model, Holden introduced a two-door fastback version, badged the Monaro, to appeal to younger buyers influenced by the burgeoning muscle car trend in America and also to provide General Motors with a frontline weapon on the racetrack. The HK range had the option of two imported V8 engines sourced from Chevrolet, the 307-cid and 327-cid units, the latter being the same small-block unit used to power the Corvette - a tradition carried on by Holden until recently with the latest Monaro. With 250 horsepower at its disposal, the HK 327 needed a beefed-up transmission and Holden used the Saginaw close-ratio four-speed manual, along with a limited slip diff and power disc brakes up front. Various suspension components were homologated for racing, including stiffer springs and shock rates at the front, bigger stabiliser bars, four-leaf semi-elliptic springs and radius rods at the rear. Other changes included a 25-gallon long-range fuel tank. All Monaro 327s came with the GTS dress-up package that included unique offset stripes and interior enhancements like the console-mounted tacho. Bruce McPhee, driving a privateer entry, secured victory for Holden driving his HK Monaro 327 over the vaunted Falcon GTs, guaranteeing a place in history for the model. Recent sales of these early Monaros have been particularly strong and values of the 327-powered HK - as the first of the legendary Monaro V8s and with the Bathurst-winning heritage to boot - can only continue this upward trend.