Billed as Australia's first fully home-grown sports coupe, the Monaro was a member of Holden's ambitious 'New Generation' HK range, launched in 1968. A clear and deliberate statement of national identity in its design, title and marketing concept, the Monaro was conceived and developed in an era of massive social and cultural change. It reflected a more exciting, youthful image and broke new ground by embracing the concept of personalised transport. Along with its HK counterparts, the Monaro delivered the biggest choice of options yet offered by Holden and, with a full-throated roar, ushered in the golden era of the lion-badged V8. The sleek, pillarless two-door was introduced six months after the rest of the range and soon took pride of place in Holden dealer showrooms across the country. Its 'boy racer' appeal was universal - a tribute to the foresight of the then Managing Director of GM-H, Max Wilson, who was instrumental in the development of the Monaro design and engineering concept and who recognised its long-term potential.
The Monaro was available in three variants: standard, GTS and GTS 327. It boasted potent performance and looked every inch the part with its long, wide body, flared wheel arches and sweeping roofline. In GTS guise, the Monaro sported black rally stripes, unique wheel trims, paint finishes and tail light treatment. The standard Monaro was powered by a 3.05 litre 186 six-cylinder engine teamed with a column shift three-speed manual. Other engine choices included a higher-spec
186S six and an imported 5.0 litre 307 V8, matched with four-speed console mounted manual or two-speed Powerglide auto transmission.
General Facts
Models
HK81837 Monaro GTS 327 coupe
HK80737 Monaro GTS coupe
HK80337 Monaro coupe
Number built
8,945Specifications
Price at introduction:
Base Monaro $2,575
GTS $3,090
GTS 327 $3,790
186 engine over 161 - $53
V8 over 161 - $510
V8 over 186 - $462
All synchro transmission - $20
Automatic - $230
Four speed synchro - $90
Engines
161 LC
161 cid 6 cylinder inline, (2640cm3 low compression engine)
Bore and stroke:3.375 inches (85.7 mm) x 3.00 inches (76.2 mm)
OHV with hydraulic lifters, single camshaft
Single barrel downdraught Bendix Stromberg carburettor
Power output (DIN):108 bhp (80.6 kW) at 4400 rpm
Torque (DIN):146 lb/ft (197 Nm) at 2000 rpm
Compression ratio:8.2:1
161 HC
161 cid 6 cylinder inline, (2640 cm3 high compression engine)
Bore and stroke:3.375 inches (85.7 mm) x 3.00 inches (76.2 mm)
OHV with hydraulic lifters, single camshaft
Single barrel downdraught Bendix Stromberg carburettor
Power output (DIN):114 bhp (85 kW) at 4400 rpm
Torque (DIN):157 lb/ft (211.9 Nm) at 2000 rpm
Compression ratio:9.2:1
186
186 cid - 6 cylinder inline (3050 cc)
Bore and stroke:3.625 inches (92.1 mm) x 3.00 inches (76.2 mm)
OHV with hydraulic lifters, single camshaft
Single barrel downdraught Bendix Stromberg carburettor
Power output (DIN):126 bhp (94 kW) at 4200 rpm
Torque (DIN):181 lb/ft (244.3 Nm) at 1600 rpm
Compression ratio:9.2:1
186s
186 cid - 6 cylinder inline (3050 cc)
Bore and stroke:3.625 inches (92.1 mm) x 3.00 inches (76.2 mm)
OHV with hydraulic lifters, single camshaft
Two barrel downdraught Bendix Stromberg with automatic choke
Power output (DIN):145 bhp (108.2 kW) at 4600 rpm
Torque (DIN):184 lb/ft (248.4 Nm) at 2200 rpm
Compression ratio:9.2:1
307 V8 (5 litre Chevrolet)
307 cid V8 (5035 cc)
Bore and stroke:3.875 inches (98.4 mm) x 3.25 inches (82.5 mm)
OHV with hydraulic lifters, single camshaft
Two barrel Rochester downdraught carburettor with automatic choke
Power output (DIN):210 bhp (156.7 kW) at 4600 rpm
Torque (DIN):300 lb/ft (405 Nm) at 2400 rpm
Compression ratio:8.75:1
327 V8 (Chevrolet)
327 cid V8 (5363 cc)
Bore and stroke:4.0 inches (101.6 mm) x 3.25 inches (82.5 mm)
OHV with hydraulic lifters, single camshaft
Rochester four barrel downdraught carburettor with automatic choke
Power output (DIN):250 bhp (186.5 kW) at 4800 rpm
Torque (DIN):325 lb/ft (438.7 Nm) at 3200 rpm
Compression ratio:8.75:1
Transmissions and ratios
Three-speed manual(Synchro in 2nd & 3rd)
1st:2.99:1
2nd:1.59:1
3rd:1.00:1
Reverse:2.99:1
Three-speed all synchro manual
1st:3.07:1
2nd:1.68:1
3rd:1.00:1
Reverse:3.59:1
Four-speed all synchro manual
1st:3.428:1
2nd:2.156:1
3rd:1.366:1
4th:1.00:1
Reverse:3.17:1
GTS 327 (Saginaw)
Four-speed all synchro manual
1st:2.54:1
2nd:1.80:1
3rd:1.44:1
4th:1.00:1
Reverse:2.54:1
Six cylinder Powerglide automatic Low:1.82:1
High:1.00:1
Reverse:1.82:1
V8 Powerglide automatic Low:1.76:1
High:1.00:1
Reverse:1.76:1
Differential ratios
2.78:13.36:1
3.55:1
Dimensions
Length - 4699mm, Width - 1816mm, Wheelbase - 2819mmWeight
1,300kg, 1,333kg (GTS), 1,495kg (GTS 327)Fuel Tank
75 litres, 114 litres (GTS 327)ENGINE NUMBERS
Located on a pad near the front of the right hand cylinder bank. The prefixes for the HK GTS 327 Monaro is '327'. The engine serial number follows.
BODY/CHASSIS NUMBERS
Located on a plate attached to the right hand side of the firewall.The first five numbers is the model number.
80337 - Monaro Coupe
80437 - Monaro Coupe
80737 - Monaro GTS Coupe
81837 - Monaro GTS 327 Coupe
HK did not distinguish between 186s and 307 for GTS
The next letter is the model code: K for HK 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.
| Engine - 161 LC |
| Number of cyclinders
Compression ratio Bore Stroke Taxable H.P RAC or SAE Horse Power at RPM Torque lbs. |
6 8.2:1 3.375in 3.000in 27.34 108 @ 4,400 146 @ 2,000 |
| Engine - 161 HC |
| Number of cyclinders
Compression ratio Bore Stroke Taxable H.P RAC or SAE Horse Power at RPM Torque lbs. |
6 8.2:1 3.375in 3.000in 27.34 114 @ 4,400 157 @ 2,000 |
| Engine - 186 HC |
| Number of cyclinders
Compression ratio Bore Stroke Taxable H.P RAC or SAE Horse Power at RPM Torque lbs. |
6 9.2:1 3.625in 3.000in 31.54 126 @ 4,200 181 @ 1,600 |
| Engine - 186 "S: |
| Number of cyclinders
Compression ratio Bore Stroke Taxable H.P RAC or SAE Horse Power at RPM Torque lbs. |
6 9.2:1 3.625in 3.000in 31.54 145 @ 4,200 184 @ 1,600 |
| Engine - 307 |
| Number of cyclinders
Compression ratio Bore Stroke Taxable H.P RAC or SAE Horse Power at RPM Torque lbs. |
8 8.75:1 3.875in 3.250in 48.05 200 @ 4,600 300 @ 2,400 |
| Engine - 327 |
| Number of cyclinders
Compression ratio Bore Stroke Taxable H.P RAC or SAE Horse Power at RPM Torque lbs. |
8 8.75:1 4.000in 3.250in 51.20 250 @ 4,800 325 @ 3,200 |
| Engine and transmission combinations |
| 161 standard on
Monaro, not available on GTS and GTS 327. 186 optional on Monaro, not available on GTS and GTS 327. 186S optional on Monaro, standard on GTS and not available on GTS 327. 5.0 optional on both Monaro and GTS, not available on GTS 327. 327 not available on Monaro or GTS, standard on GTS 327. Three speed manual optional on Monaro, but not available on GTS 327. Four speed manual optional on Monaro, standard on GTS but not available on GTS 327. Four speed heavy duty manual optional on Monaro and GTS and standard on GTS 327. Powerglide automatic optional on Monaro and GTS but not available on GTS 327. |
| Rear Axle |
| 3.55:1 | Recommended on all Monaro engines with three speed manual or Monaro and GTS with 186S engine and four speed manual. |
| 3.36:1 | Recommended on Monaro with 161 and four speed manual, Monaro with 186 and four speed manual or Powerglide automatic, Monaro with 307 and four speed manual, GTS with 186S and four speed manual or Powerglide automatic, GTS with 307 and GTS 327. |
| 2.78:1 | Recommended on Monaro with 307 and Powerglide automatic. Limited slip diff optional on all six cylinder models and standard with all V8s. |
| Exterior Dimensions |
| Wheelbase | Monaro - All | 111in. |
| Overall Length | Monaro - All | 184.8in. |
| Overall Height (At Kerb Weight) | Monaro - All | 54.9in. |
| Overall Width (Maximum) | Monaro - All | 71.8in. |
| Front track | Monaro - All | 57.12in. |
| Rear track | Monaro - All | 57.12in. |
| Kerb weight | Monaro | 2866 lbs |
| Monaro GTS | 2940 lbs | |
| Monaro GTS 327 | 3295 lbs | |
| Turning circle | Monaro and GTS | 36.5 ft |
| Monaro GTS 327 | 39.5 ft | |
| Clearance, Exhaust System to Ground (at load design) | Monaro | 7.2 in. |
| Wheels & Tyres |
| 5.00Jx14 | Standard on Monaro and GTS. Heavy duty wheels optional on Monaro and GTS but not available on GTS 327. |
| 6.00Jx14 | With D70 tyres standard on GTS 327 and optional on Monaro and GTS. |
| Tubeless 6.95x14 low
profile rayon blackwall crossplys standard on Monaro. Tubeless 6.95x14 rayon white band crossplys, 7.35x14 tubeless rayon blackwall crossplys and Six ply blackwalls optional on Monaro. Tubeless 6.95x14 nylon crossply red band standard on GTS and optional on Monaro. Tubeless 7.35x14 nylon premium 'S' red band crossplys optional on Monaro and GTS. Tubeless D70x14 nylon high performance red band crossplys standard on GTS 327 and optional on Monaro and GTS. Tubeless D70x14 tubeless nylon high performance white band crossplys and 185x14 radial plys optional on all models. * D70x14 tyres only available with 6.00JJx14 wheels. |
| Brakes |
| Front: Drums standard on Monaro. Power assisted
drums optional on Monaro, not available on GTS and GTS 327. Power assisted discs optional
on Monaro, standard on GTS and GTS 327. Rear: Drums |
| Exhaust System |
| Monaro and Monaro GTS
have front and rear tail pipes, single combined muffler and resonator assembly. Monaro GTS 327 has low restriction dual exhaust system using dual reverse flow resonators, single muffler assembly with dual inlets and outlets and twin tail pipes with dual branch chrome plated tail pipe outlets. Twin exhaust manifolds on 186S. |
| Capacities |
| 6 Cyclinder Engine | 8 Cyclinder Engine | |
| Fuel Tank | 16.5 Gallons | 16.5 Gallons 25 gallons GTS 327 |
| Crankcase (Refill) | 6 Pints | 6.5 Pints |
| Oil Filter (Change Only) | 1.5 Pints | 1.5 Pints |
| Crankcase (Refill & Oil Filter) | 7.5 Pints | 7.5Pints |
| Cooling System: | ||
| Synchromesh Trans. Models | 8.0 Quarts No Heater | 8.0 Quarts No Heater |
| Powerglide Trans Models | 7.8 Quarts No Heater, 11.8 With | 7.8 Quarts No Heater, 11.8 With |
| Transmission: | ||
| 3 Speed (Standard) | 1.75 Pints | 1.75 Pints |
| 3 Speed (all Synchro) | 4.25 Pints | 4.25 Pints |
| 4 Speed (Synchromesh) | 2 Pints | 2 Pints |
| Powerglide | 10.25 Pints (Dry) | 10.5 Pints (Dry) |
| Rear Axle | 2.5 Pints | 2.5 Pints |
| Torque Specifications - 6 Cyclinder Engines |
| Alternator bracket to
cyclinder head Alternator to bracket bolt Alternator brace bolt Alternator to bracket attaching nut and bolt Alternator to brace attaching bolt Bell housing to engine bolts (MC6) Bell housing to engine bolts (M20 &21) Rear crossmember to side frame bolt Support to rear mounting nut Convertot housing bolt to engine Camshaft retaining screws Timing chain retaining bolts Cyclinder head bolts Distributor hold down bolt Connecting rod nut Main bearing cap - bolt Oil filter to oil pump Oil pan drain plug Oil pan to cyclinder block - bolt Rocker arm nut Rocker cover bolt Starter motor to bell housing Fan to water pump hub PCV valve cap torque Belt tension - Air Belt tension - Power steering Belt tension - Water/alternator Power steering pump attaching bolt and nut Engine mount to bracket nuts Mounting bracket to cyclinder block bolt Insulator bracket to rail bolt Rear engine mount bolt Cross member support bolts (end support) Cross member support bolts (centre support) Exhaust pipe to manifold Inlet manifold (front and rear bolts) Inlet manifold (other bolts) Intake manifold bolts Sump to timing gear cover Locator plate screws Water pump retaining bolts Water pump pulley attaching bolts Flywheel/flexplate bolts Oil pump cover bolts Oil pump attaching bolts Spark plugs |
34-44Nm 20-25Nm 12-16Nm 34-40Nm 20-28Nm 61-71Nm 41-47Nm 40-50Nm 20-25Nm 45-50ft.lb 6 - 7lb. ft 6 - 8lb. ft 1st: 30lb. ft 2nd: 65lb. ft 3rd: 75lb. ft 8 - 12lb. ft 20 - 26lb. ft 20 - 26lb. ft 2/3 turn after seal contacts surface 15 - 20lb. ft 8 - 11lb. ft 30 - 39Nm 8Nm 19 - 24lb. ft 23 - 27Nm 10-16Nm 46kg New 43kg Used 57kg New 34kg Used 45kg New 27kg Used 40-51Nm (3/8in) 20-25lb. ft (7/16) 30-35lb. ft 34-46Nm 34-46Nm 34-46Nm 40-50Nm 34-46Nm 20-25lb. ft 15-20lb. ft 25-30lb. ft 41-47Nm 6-8lb. ft 4.5-5.5Nm 12-17lb. ft 28-38Nm 45lb. ft 20-27Nm 17-22lb. ft 22-28lb. ft New 15-18lb. ft Used |
Brouchures & Literature
1968 Holden Monaro - TV commercial
1969 Holden Monaro - TV commercial