1973 HQ GTS Monaro Coupe 350 V8 ... ex GMH Director Max Wilson's car! (SOLD)

Now for sale is the 1970's GMH Director of Asia-Pacific's own car - a super rare and unique SPECIAL ORDER HQ GTS Monaro 350 Coupe in Contessa Gold (VIC Rego LLW-842) completed for Mr. Max Wilson. Max was posted from GM HQ in the USA. He had a penchant for Cadillacs but a dislike for formal sedans. He frequented Leo Pruneau's office more than once requesting something special to drive.

Built as a special order for Mr. Wilson, the car was painted in the then experimental HJ colour of Contessa Gold, and further enhanced by the GMH styling studios and Engineering Departments. The 350 V8 was removed and fitted to Max Wilson's first Estoril Bronze Metallic HQ Coupe (VIC rego: LCB 222) and the 400ci Olds V8 engine (QU40273 T 0505 CLK) from that car was installed into Max's second car, this car - LLW 842. The 400ci V8 was first registered in LLW 842 on the 4th of April, 1973. Seems that Max, like many of his peers at GMH and Ford had a thirst for power in his cars!

A special Chestnut with cloth trim combo was ordered and the car was factory fitted with power steering, air conditioning, tinted electric windows, woodgrain dash and console, power aerial, custom console with cigarette lighter in the rear and the rare steel slide back sunroof.

Max Wilson retained this car until early 1975 racking up 8,500 miles. GMH then offered the car to their dealer network by tender (see documents) but as GMH's policy at the time was not to sell modified cars to the public, they were of course unable to retail the car as a 400ci V8. So GMH fitted a HJ 308 V8 (QT 597649 as per AOMC document) as there were by then no 350 V8 engines left. The car was eventually retailed by Garry and Warren Smith, Holden, Oakleigh, Victoria.

The car has since changed hands a number of times, owned by a dentist from Glen Waverley and then a Scottish gentleman also from Melbourne. It was then purchased in 1999 by a well known HQ Monaro guru in Victoria who was luckily able to source both of Max Wilson's HQ GTS Monaros and finally after nearly 30 years reunite the original 350 V8 engine with Max's Contessa Gold car.

This special build 350 GTS Monaro Coupe has survived with only an exterior repaint in the original colour. It still retains the original trim with all factory fitted options. Currently running a 350 V8 and factory Turbo 400, the car comes with the original 350 engine block (Engine No. QU404478 K 05 17 H).

This is a significant and historic GMH vehicle that speaks volumes for the enthusiasts that ran the Australian motor companies in the day. In our Kingsgrove, Sydney showroom for your inspection. (Ref. 5219)