Holden HT Monaro Coupe

1969-70

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The HT Monaro upgrade exhibited even more of the self-assured and extroverted attitude of the people who chose to drive it.

Most dramatic change was a new multi-louvred plastic grille with a raised centre section and Monaro black-outs. The GTS had bold centre bonnet stripes in black or gold, flanked by new bonnet scoops. Beefier two-section tail lights separated by a blacked-out tail panel, thicker side stripes and black sills made the GTS look even sleeker.

Wild new colours included Sebring Orange and Daytona Bronze. A full set of circular instruments replaced the HK's console-mounted tacho and strip speedo. More contoured bucket seats with optional houndstooth check cloth inserts and a grippier steering wheel were in keeping with the HT's added refinement and special detailing.

A new Y-frame engine cradle and neoprene front suspension bushes isolated harshness from the cabin. The track was widened and fatter rubber bushings in the rear leaf spring eyes matched the gains in the front.

The HT was also first to get the Aussie V8, initially as a 253 (4.2), and for many Monaro buyers, it was the perfect choice. The 308 (5.0) version was introduced as Chevrolet 307 stocks ran out. Chevrolet's new 350 (5.7) V8, which came in different auto and manual specifications, arrived later, giving engineers extra time to fine tune the GTS 350 sports suspension so it could be the first Holden to offer low profile radial tyres as an option. The limited build GTS 350 manual could also be ordered with rally wheels, another Holden first.

In 1969, the first year under Harry Firth, Holden Dealer Team Monaro 350s came first (Bond/Roberts) and third (West/Brock) outright in the Hardie Ferodo 500 at Bathurst.
HT GTS motor sport victories in 1970 included the Surfers Paradise 12-hour race (Bond/Roberts), and the Australian Touring Car Championship (Beechey).

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

253 V8
253 cid (4149 cc)
Bore and stroke:3.625 inches (88.8 mm) x 3.062 inches (75.0 mm)
OHV with hydraulic lifters, single camshaft
Twin barrel Bendix Stromberg carburettor
Power output (DIN):185 bhp (138 kW) at 4400 rpm
Torque (DIN):262 lb/ft (353.7 Nm) at 2400 rpm
Compression ratio:9:1

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

350 V8 (Chevrolet)
350 cid V8 (5740 cc)
Bore and stroke:4.0 inches (101.6 mm) x 3.480 inches (85.26 mm)
OHV with hydraulic lifters, single camshaft
Rochester four barrel Quadrajet downdraught carburettor with automatic choke
Power output (DIN):300 bhp (223.8 kW) at 4800 rpm (manual)
Power output (DIN):275 bhp (205.1 kW) at 4800 rpm (auto)
Torque (DIN):380 lb/ft (513 Nm) at 3200 rpm (manual)
Torque (DIN):365 lb/ft (492 Nm) at 3200 rpm (auto)
Compression ratio:10.25:1 (manual)
Compression ratio:9.0:1 (auto)

General Facts

Release date

May 1969

Number built

14,437

Models

HT81837 Monaro GTS 350 Coupe
HT80837 Monaro GTS Coupe
HT80737 Monaro GTS Coupe
HT80437 Monaro V8 coupe
HT80337 Monaro L6 coupe

Prices at time of release

Monaro - $2651,
Monaro GTS - $3423
Monaro GTS 350 - $3995

Options

V8 over 186 - $462
Automatic - $210
Four speed - $90
Four speed heavy duty over three speed - $180
LSD - $40
Power discs - $55
Power drums - $34
Power steering - $125

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

Four-speed all synchro manual (M21)
1st:2.54:1
2nd:1.80:1
3rd:1.44:1
4th:1.00:1
Reverse:2.54:1

Four-speed all synchro manual (M22)
1st:2.85:1
2nd:2.02:1
3rd:1.35:1
4th:1.00:1
Reverse:2.85:1

Powerglide automatic
Low:1.76:1
High:1.00:1
Reverse:1.76:1

Trimatic
1st:2.31:1
2nd:1.46:1
3rd:1.00:1
Reverse:1.85:1

Rear axle ratios

3.55:1 recommended on six cylinder models with three speed transmission
3.08:1 recommended on 253 V8 models
3.36:1 recommended on six cylinder models with four speed or automatic transmissions
2.78:1 recommended on 253 and 307 V8s with automatic transmission
Limited slip diff optional on all models

Dimensions

Length - 4699mm, Width - 1816mm, Wheelbase - 2819mm

Weight

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 Six Cylinder
80837 - Monaro GTS Coupe V8
81837 - Monaro GTS 327 Coupe

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