1970 Holden HG Monaro GTS 186S 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. The list of engines on offer was extensive, ranging from the 130-cid six through to the 350-cid V8, along with no less than six different transmission types and the latest three-speed Tri-matic was regarded as 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 attractive pillarless fastback styling setting it apart from contemporary rivals. The popular GTS package added special ‘sidewinders’ stripes, badges, Houndstooth check cloth trim and a wide range of distinctive colours, plus full instrumentation (including tacho). The HG GTS did away with the sill and wheelarch mouldings, replaced by blacked-out rocker panels, grille and tail panel, resulting in a tougher appearance. Although most 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 and a good many were equipped with automatic transmission and air conditioning. Replaced by the all-new HQ in 1972, production of the final iteration of the first-generation Monaros was short-lived with only 6,147 built in total, making it very hard to locate good original examples, particularly in six-cylinder guise.