1970 Holden HG Monaro GTS 350 Coupe

Description

Introduced in July 1970, Holden's HG model was the third and final facelift of the HK/HT series and was chiefly notable for the introduction of the new Tri-matic automatic transmission. Apart from a revised grille, the remaining sheetmetal was largely shared with the HK/HT models and the model line-up consisted of the same Belmont, Kingswood, Premier and Brougham trim levels. Holden had an extensive list of six and eight-cylinder engines on offer, ranging from the 130-cid six through to the 350-cid V8, along with no less than six different transmission types, the latest three-speed Tri-matic a big improvement over the old two-speed Powerglide. The Monaro sports coupe was again the hero car of the full-size Holden range, with its pillarless fastback styling still managing to look fresh and appealing. The GTS package included the option of stripes, Houndstooth check cloth trim and a wide range of distinctive colours, plus full instrumentation (including tacho), GTS badges etc. Although base GTS Monaros came with the 186S six-cylinder motor, more power was available through the choice of 253-cid or 308-cid V8 motors (first seen on the HT in October 1969), the latter using a Salisbury 3.36:1 rear axle when fitted with the auto transmission, or the mighty 350-cid V8. With the XU-1 Torana taking over as Holden's frontline weapon at Bathurst, the Monaro GTS 350 assumed a new role as a high performance gentleman's GT, with a good many equipped with automatic transmission and air conditioning. Although official production figures have never been released for the HG Monaro GTS 350, around 400 are believed to have been made. Production of the last of the original shape Monaros was short-lived and the HG was replaced by the all-new HQ in 1972, making it very hard to locate good original examples, particularly in the more desirable 350 V8 guise.