Holden Monaro Now and then History

The Holden Monaro was Produced between 1968 and 1977 and then again from 2001 until 2005. It is an Australian built 6 cylinder and V8 car.

1968 - Holden Monaro HK:

The Monaro was introduced in1968 as a two-door hardtop coupe available in three models: the Monaro coupe, Monaro 'GTS' coupe and Monaro 'GTS 327' coupe. The GTS versions had "full instrumentation" which included a tachometer mounted on the centre console. The cars could be ordered with a choice of six cylinder engines of 161ci or two versions of the 186ci engine (GTS with the uprated 186S only), or a 307ci V8. The exclusive 'GTS 327' model was powered by the 250 bhp (186 kW) Chev 327ci V8.

1969 - Holden Monaro HT:

In early 1969 the Monaro range was awarded wheels magazine's Car of the Year for 1968. With the HT Monaro, 'GTS 327' became 'GTS 350' following the replacement of the Chev 327ci V8 by the 300 bhp Chev 350ci V8.The HT Monaro also marked the start of Holden's own Australian built V8's. These were the 253ci and 308ci engines to replace the Chev 307. The new Australian made Trimatic 3 speed automatic gearbox was also available with the new V8 engines (But not for the 350 Chev).

1970 - Holden Monaro HK:

In July 1970, the HG Monaro was released. It only really had cosmetic changes over the HT.Many believed that these cosmetic changes where the best looking of the Generation.

1971 - Holden HQ Monaro:

The HQ series was released in July 1971, including the new Monaro LS. The Bottom of the range, non GTS & LS models could no longer have a V8 engine. The top level GTS350 coupe was still seen as the ultimate Monaro. The 6 cylinder now started at 173ci and for the Monaro LS at 202ci version was standard with the 253ci, 308ci and 350ci engines all optional.

In 1973 a 4 door Monaro sedan was released. It was available in standard and all GTS levels. Many didn't like this, but other people saw it as the family friendly Monaro.

The popularity of the GTS 350 reduced somewhat and by the end of the HQ series was dropped from the Monaro line up. The great thing for collectors is the rarity of the model now. a good example will sell for AU$55,000.00 to AU$120,000.00.

1974 - Holden HJ Monaro:

The HJ Monaro was another face lift model. With the GTS 350 gone from the line up, other changes were also made. The Monaro sedan become a HJ GTS, a Kingswood variant, not a Monaro. The LS variant continued as the luxury model with a standard 202ci 6 cylinder engine.

Front and rear spoilers were now offered as factory options. Sadly it was clear that Holden had stopped promoting the Monaro as it sports model. At this stage 99% of the focus was on the Torana.

The HJ LS Monaro is one of the rarest Holden production models ever made, just 300 were built.

1976 - Holden HX Monaro:

With this face lift we see the return of the Monaro GTS sedan, but very sadly the coupe is no longer part of the line up. The GTS sedan had a range of bright colours and body strip options.

1977 - Holden HZ Monaro:

The end of the line for the Monaro. Halfway through the HZ production run, the Monaro GTS sedan was renamed the Holden GTS. Due to holden having many coupe body shells a short run of Monaro LE coupes were released. Many saw this model as Holden trying to use up surplus parts, which seem very true if you look at the features list! Sadly with the release of the Holden commodore in 1978, the Monaro shape become only used for utility and statesman models.

V2 series I, II and III, VZ CV6 and CV8 models:

after over 20 the Monaro was reborn as a Holden Commodore Coupe prototype, codenamed 'Matilda', shown in 1998 at the Sydney Motor Show. production began in  2001, after 22 months of development. There was very high demand for the new Monaro. It was available in CV6 (3.8Lt V6 supercharged) & CV8 (5.7Lt V8) with a 6 speed manual or 4 speed auto. The CV6 model was discontinued due to poor sales.Series two and three versions of the V2 featured the VY Commodore interior, some saying that it was much better, while many saw it as a cheaper plastic way to go. 

CV8-R Monaros were special editions, the first in a grey colour and the second in a more muted red. Each had special wheels and beige leather (not available in beige in any other model).

In late 2004, Holden introduced the VZ range of Commodore vehicles which in 2005 were upgraded to feature the 6.0 litre L76 V8 engine in SS sedans and other variants. The Monaro CV8 was similarly upgraded and also received revised front and rear bumper assemblies, to be now referred to as the VZ Monaro CV8. The revised rear bumper and new ducted bonnet pressing would soon find their way onto the export Pontiac GTO. However, in July 2005 Holden announced that production of the current generation Monaro CV8 would soon be coming to an end. A run of 1100 of a limited-edition model, called the CV8-Z, was produced to farewell the legendary Monaro name, much as had been done with the LE coupe back in 1976. The CV8-Z had unique features including special wheels and a sunroof along with a choice of body colours, including a bold new orange/gold metallic called 'Fusion'.

The last Holden Monaro-badged coupe was purchased by Emerald, Queensland businessman Darryl Mattingley for A$187,355.55— around three times the normal retail price, on 19 February 2006. The car was bought through ebay, with the money going to the Leukemia Foundation, setting an Australian eBay record for highest price to date in the process. Mattingley, a huge Ford collector, has stated that his only Holden will not be registered, but will make appearances at auto shows.

Despite an end to production of the Holden Monaro-badged coupe it remained in production for HSV and for export markets until 14 June 2006 when the last model, a Pontiac GTO, quietly rolled off the production line bound for the US.