Holden HG Monaro Coupe

Regarded as the most sophisticated of the early Monaro models, the HG is today one of the rarest and most sought-after of the charismatic Holden coupes.

Holden designers cleverly removed the detail from the HG's rear lights, providing the illusion of extra size as the lights merged smoothly with the black GTS tail panel. While the more subtle HG mesh grille revived the simplicity of the first Monaro, GTS blackouts highlighted the bold new centre division and surrounds.

The deletion of sill and wheel arch mouldings and the addition of black rocker panels around the lower body gave the HG GTS a meaner, sleeker look. Subtle 'sidewinder' stripes that swooped from the rear pillars to the front highlighted the flow in the original Monaro shape. New decals for the 350 engine were a Monaro first. New metallic colours and the lack of bold bonnet and bootlid stripes reflected a clean custom look and highlighted the 350's quad exhausts.

Engine choice was the same as for final HT models after the local 308 V8 replaced the Chevrolet 307. A new three-speed Trimatic auto option replaced the Powerglide on all models except the big 350.

Although virtually retired from competition duties - replaced by the XU-1 Torana - the Monaro still managed an amazing year on the track. Norm Beechey's Monaro dominated the Australian Touring Car Championship against serious competition and there was an outstanding Bond/Roberts endurance victory at Surfer's Paradise.

Away from the track, Holden built extra compliance into the Monaro rear suspension, boosting GTS 350 long distance touring capabilities and comfort. The HG GTS 350 manual, with its crisp driving feel and Salisbury limited slip diff, stood as the definitive road car for several Monaro generations.

DATE OF INTRODUCTION

NUMBER BUILT

MODELS

PRICES AT RELEASE

ENGINES

TRANSMISSIONS Three-speed manual. (Synchro in 2nd & 3rd) Three-speed manual. (All synchro. Column shift), 253 and six cylinder engines Four-speed all synchro manual. M21 four-speed all synchro manual. Two speed Powerglide automatic Three speed Trimatic automatic ENGINE/TRANSMISSION COMBINATIONS 161 engine standard on Monaro, 186, 186S, 253 and 308 optional. 186S standard on Monaro GTS, 253 and 308 optional. Three speed column shift manual standard on Monaro, Trimatic automatic optional. Four speed floor shift manual standard on Monaro GTS, optional with floor shift only. Four speed heavy duty manual standard on GTS 350, Powerglide with floor shift optional BRAKES Front:Drums are standard with six cylinder models, power assistance optional. Power assisted discs standard on Monaro GTS and V8s. Front 10.5 inch (268 mm) discs Rear 10 inch (254 mm) drums WHEELS Monaro and Monaro GTS - 5.00JJx14 V8 GTS - 6.00JJx14

INSTRUMENTS/CONTROLS Monaro - Speedo, fuel gauge, water temperature, oil pressure and generator charge warning lights. GTS - Speedo, tacho, fuel gauge, oil pressure, ammeter, generator charge warning light, water temperature gauge, handbrake warning light. EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS Total length (inches/mm):184.8 inches (4527.6 mm) Total width (inches/mm):71.8 inches (1759.1 mm) Wheelbase (inches/mm):111 inches (2719.5 mm) KERB WEIGHT Monaro 161 - 2897 lbs (1315.3 kg). GTS 186S - 2947 lbs (1337.9 kg) lbs GTS 350 - 3386 lbs (1530 kg) TURNING CIRCLE 36.5 ft (10.7 m). FUEL TANK CAPACITY All models except GTS 350 - 16.5 gallons (75 litres) GTS 350 - 25 gallons (113.7 litres)

ENGINE NUMBERS Located stamped on a pad at the front of the right hand cylinder bank. The prefixes for the HG GTS 350 Monaro automatic is '327A' and the manual '350M'. The engine serial number follows. BODY/CHASSIS NUMBERS Located stamped on a plate attached to the right hand side of the firewall. The first five numbers of the 13 digits is the model number. 80337 - Monaro Coupe 80437 - Monaro Coupe 80837 - Monaro GTS Coupe 81837 - Monaro GTS 350 Coupe The next letter is the series code G for HG Monaro The next two digits are a letter/number combination indicating the plant at which the vehicle was built H1-H4 - Brisbane H5-H9 - Sydney J1-J9 - Melbourne L1-L5 - Adelaide L6-L9 - Perth The remaining five numbers is the vehicle serial number represent the sequence in which the vehicle was built at that particular plant. OTHER IDENTIFICATION MARKS GTS 350 - 'GTS' and 'Monaro' badges. Headlight bezels, grille, under front and rear bumpers, along sill panels, bonnet scoops and rear of boot lid blacked out. Four slanted vertical louvres in lower front guards. Low profile bonnet scoops both sides of bonnet.

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