1971 Holden HQ Monaro 253 GTS Coupe

Holden’s all-new HQ series introduced in July 1971 was a milestone car for General Motors, boasting fresh styling, unitary construction, redesigned suspension, improved brakes and modern interior.  Conceived from the outset with Australian conditions in mind, 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.  With a variety of trim levels and several different engine/transmission combinations available, Holden built a Monaro to suit just about every type of buyer, from those looking for a stylish cruiser through to out and out muscle cars.  A number of trim options were available for the HQ Monaro, including the LS (which stood for Luxury Sport) and more performance oriented GTS.  Boasting steel sports wheels, well equipped premium interior and revised exterior styling, the Monaro GTS package had the 253-cid V8 as standard (with either the 308-cid or 350-cid V8s optional) along with a choice of either four-speed manual or the Trimatic automatic transmission.  Inside the GTS’s cabin, there were bucket seats (with houndstooth check seat trim an option), a gunmetal-finish dash with full instrumentation, including a tacho.  The exterior came with blacked-out grille and headlamp surrounds, bonnet black-outs, triple vents behind the front wheelarches and unique wheel trims.  The HQ Monaro GTS certainly looked the business and Holden’s advertising pitch summed it up nicely with the line “Where’s the action? Right here.”  The Monaro proved to be a great success with the press and public alike and is still held in high regard by enthusiasts today, particularly in two-door form.