1973 Holden HQ Monaro GTS 350 V8 - GMH Press Test Car

Now for sale is GMH's Press Test 1973 HQ GTS Monaro 350 4 speed in stunning Tangerine with Black Cloth trim. The very same car that appeared in Wheels Magazine and Sports Car World back in 1973!! For sale from Perth, WA.

The HQ was the swan song for the mighty Chevrolet 350 V8 ending GMH's reliance on the USA for its V8 power plants. Given GMH's determination to be self sufficient and produce all engines locally there would be no more imported Chevrolet V8 engines powering Holdens for the next 30 odd years.

Nearly 50 years later these circumstances have made the very few surviving HQ 350 Monaros a rare and highly desirable collector vehicle.

With nearly half a million HQs built over the life span of the model including just over 13,000 GTS Monaros, it is understood that only 279 XW8 pack 350 V8 powered Monaro sedans were produced during 1973 and 74. According to Ben Stewart's Holden Historical Services, 231 were produced with the T-400 automatic gearbox and only 48 were built with the Muncie 4 speed manual gearbox. And according to the Holden Historical Services verification report, this Tangerine GTS 350 was the first XW8 Monaro built at the Sydney Pagewood plant before it was registered with New South Wales plates GHD-520 and used for press test purposes appearing in Wheels, Sports Car World and other magazines in 1973.

Presented for sale in original unrestored-maintained condition, the Monaro received a closed door respray in Tangerine with Lone 'O Ranger stripes 25 years ago and does have some paint imperfections including some stone chips and parking dents. There is no rust or damage and chrome, glass and stainless is all original and in good condition. The interior is all original with original seat trims, door cards, crash pad, dash and steering wheel. The odometer shows 113,014 Miles and the car features the original working AM radio and remote driver's side rear view mirror.

Mechanically, the HQ runs the original 350 V8 which has been maintained and still features the standard bore and runs the 4BBL Rochester carby through to the factory exhaust manifold through to the factory 2" dual exhaust. The HQ 350 is factory fitted with option code A82 head restraints, A22 Laminated windshield glass, the GV2 optioned 3.36:1 ratio diff, and the M10 dual exhaust system.

The HQ rides on the factory 6" GTS rims with original caps and chrome dress rims and Maxxis 205/70R14 tyres. In the boot is the rubber boot mat, 6" spare wheel and original tools and jack.

We all remember the ads featuring a very young Peter Brock throwing around a HQ on the dirt. According to PB, the HQ GTS made “you enjoy motoring all over again”. And with so few 350 GTS Monaros ever built and very few surviving, it is no wonder that the HQ GTS Monaro 350 has been long recognised as one of the most collectible and desirable Holdens ever produced.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to own one of Holden's true Hero cars. This GTS 350 comes with the Holden Historical Services Verification report, the Wheels, Modern Motor and Sports Car World magazines featuring this special Press Test Monaro plus the original NSW number plates.

An outstanding classic muscle Holden available for immediate inspection in Perth, WA. (Ref: 6501)

If you wish we will gladly arrange a video tour/inspection of the car using WhatsApp and of course there is no issue with door to door enclosed transport anywhere in Australia or New Zealand.

Call Mike on 0414 278 604 or Nick on 0499 577 997 and let us assist you with your inquiries. Also please note if you have a quality Muscle or Classic car you wish to list or have valued please give us a call at AMCS, we will be happy to assist you.