Australian and North American muscle car enthusiasts share a love for V8 engines. However, manufacturers Down Under took a different path with body styles, primarily driven by economies of scale. The Australian new car market is surprisingly small, meaning that producing unique Hardtop and two-door bodies to cater to the high-performance market wasn’t financially viable. The result was classics like this 1975 Holden HJ Monaro GTS. It is a stunning vehicle featuring its range-topping V8 under the hood. Scrutinizing the photos reveals only one slight modification, which the buyer could easily reverse for authenticity. The seller has listed this beautiful Monaro here on eBay in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. They set their price at A94,000, and with the current exchange rate, that figure equates to approximately US$66,300.
Holden introduced its Second Generation Kingswood range in 1972, featuring unique styling to appeal to local buyers. It performed the first facelift in October 1974, with the latest offering featuring a more aggressive nose that bears a striking resemblance to the First Generation Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Buyers could select from a wide variety of trim levels, including the sporty Monaro GTS. This Monaro rolled out of the factory in Elizabeth, South Australia, in June 1975. Finished in striking Mandarin Red, its overall presentation is seemingly flawless. This is unsurprising, with the seller confirming that it has been carefully protected since receiving a professional repaint in PPG products. The panels are beautifully straight, and rust isn’t an issue. The decals are as crisp as the day this GTS left the lot, while the trim and glass look perfect. The wheels appear identical to the North American Rally IIs, but were locally manufactured to suit Australia’s surprisingly harsh road conditions.
One look at the interior confirms the Monaro’s sporting leanings. Bucket seats, a center console, a sports wheel, and a comprehensive gauge cluster featuring a factory tachometer. It’s all there, and with this car’s air conditioning, life on the road would be extremely comfortable. The interior presents as impressively as the exterior, with no genuine shortcomings. The seats, trimmed in Slate Black vinyl with contrasting Red stripes, are free from wear. The carpet is exceptionally clean, and the plastic hasn’t succumbed to the harsh Australian sun. I spotted an aftermarket CD player, which appears to be this car’s only modification. It isn’t a deal-breaker, because factory radios often appear on the usual online auction sites, potentially allowing the buyer to return the interior to its original form relatively cheaply.
Powering this Monaro is a 308ci V8, teamed with a three-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes. Australia hadn’t been hit by emissions regulations that stifled engine performance when this Monaro left the line, meaning the V8 produced 240hp and 315 ft/lbs of torque. The 308 is a uniquely Holden engine, and its development is a fascinating backstory. Holden management knew by the mid-1960s that Ford planned to fit a V8 to its Falcon range. This eventually proved correct, producing the first of a range of Falcon GTs. Holden had nothing with which to respond, so it petitioned General Motors for funds to develop a competitor. GM denied the request, but did permit Holden to import Chevrolet small-block V8s to fit its upcoming Kingswood range. The theory seemed sound, but the import costs and tariffs involved meant that the small-block was more expensive than desired. Therefore, in a desperate act, Holden management allowed the engineering department to siphon off small amounts from the development budgets of other programs to begin designing a unique V8. By the time General Motors realized the error of its way and green-lighted the engine program, Holden’s backroom boffins had a complete engine that had already run on the dyno and was ready for endurance testing. The design proved a winner, and after first appearing in 1969, the 308 remained in production until 2000. The V8 under this Monaro’s hood isn’t numbers-matching, but the news remains positive. The deal includes the original V8, which has been safely stored. Potential buyers can consider the GTS a turnkey proposition that runs and drives extremely well.
Australia was once the home of a vibrant vehicle manufacturing industry. Ford, Holden, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Leyland, Volkswagen, and many other marques operated facilities Down Under. However, times change, and the Australian industry is no more. Holden produced its last car in October 2017. It soldiered on and sold rebadged imports, but these never found a ready market. Sadly, Holden joined Pontiac when General Motors “retired” the brand on New Year’s Day 2021. I believe that, like iconic Pontiac vehicles, classics like this 1975 Holden HJ Monaro GTS deserve preservation. Otherwise, future generations will have no insight into the Australian vehicle manufacturing industry at its peak. Thankfully, many enthusiasts share my view, and values have climbed as a result. That begs the question of what the future holds for this Monaro. Do you believe it will remain on its native shore, or will a North American buyer purchase and export this beauty, ensuring that they arrive at shows or a Cars & Coffee behind the wheel of a genuinely unique vehicle?
Ok….now about that cargo container….”It’s how much?????”
That comment is right on the nose unless cargo containers have recently taken a nose dive re: cost.
One more innovative model from our team from Down Under from one of our best again, Adam.
Insofar as the industry being no more, that may be true of the car industry but over at Boeing your team worked extensively and helped get the U.S. team on board to have come up with that same model of thinking in aviation.
Keep them coming, Adam.