1969 Holden HT Monaro GTS 350 'Bathurst' Coupe

Description

Holden’s original sports coupe, badged the Monaro, proved so popular in its original HK guise there was no question it would continue when the facelifted HT model was announced in May 1969.  The most obvious external changes made to the HT were the plastic grille and squared-off rear sheet metal with distinctive stacked tail lights, while the interior also came in for some revision, including redesigned seats and door trims, while the instrumentation saw the HK’s strip speedo replaced with conventional round dials.  Although the HT Monaro range remained much the same, Holden employed Chevrolet’s legendary small-block V8 motor in a local product for the first time, replacing the Bathurst 327 with the a new GTS 350 model.  Taking the fight to the Falcon GTs, Holden homologated the 350 in time for Bathurst in 1969 and, with Harry Firth masterminding the Holden Dealer Team operation, Colin Bond teamed up with Tony Roberts to score a fine win in the Mount Panorama enduro, while Des West and a young Peter Brock joined forces to finish third.  The HT Monaro went on to enjoy a stellar motorsport career, with Norm Beechey taking out the inaugural ATCC in his famous yellow 350, widely regarded as one Australia’s greatest race cars.  Holden’s decision to focus on the Torana as its frontline race weapon in 1970 made the HT 350 the last real Bathurst homologation Monaro and the model always been held in high regard by collectors as a result.  Holden also broadened the appeal of the 350 GTS by making it available with automatic transmission, these cars having a slightly lower compression and detuned engine.  In manual guise, the 350 was a real rocket ship, with a 10.25:1 compression ratio and 300 bhp on tap, making it the most potent Holden yet.  The GTS package gave the Monaro real road presence, adding bonnet scoops, stripes and unique wheel trims, along with the option of houndstooth trim.  Nobody is certain exactly how many HT 350s were made but the best estimate seems to be around 700 and each of the survivors is regarded as a Blue Chip Aussie muscle car today.