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1968 HK ‘GTS 327’ Monaro
While Ford fans will chirp (and rightly so) that the XR GT Falcon was the ‘original’ Australian muscle car, there’s no denying the car that turned the muscle car snowflake into a snowball. Released in July 1968, the HK Monaro was Australia’s first locally produced sports coupe.
HK Monaro advertising material. Courtesy of GMH.
Monaro’s flowing lines were exotic and beautiful. And its brutal performance ignited a tri-factory war for Bathurst supremacy.
The ‘GTS 327’ was optioned with a 327 Chevrolet V8 and a close ratio four-speed gear box. Cosmetics included off-set rally stripes (GTS stripes) and GTS flutes on the front quarter panels.
When Monaro was driven to Bathurst victory in 1968 by Bruce McPhee (with minimal input from co-driver Barry Mulholland), a legend was born. Winning the Hardie Ferodo 500 a massive coup for Holden and the amazing feat was backed up the following year in the HT ‘GTS 350’ Monaro.
HK Monaro Design Features We Love
- The awkwardly mounted tacho in the centre console
- Stunning lines of the pillarless coupe
- Instantly recognisable off-set rally (GTS) stripes
What’s your favourite design feature on the HK Monaro? Drop us an email to let us know and it might just end up on a shirt: contact@trippytaka.com.au
Tags: 1968, 327, Bathurst, Chevrolet, GTS, HK, Holden, Monaro
Posted in The Classics: Cars We Love | October 31st, 2009
3 Responses to “1968 HK ‘GTS 327’ Monaro”
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My favourite design features of the awesome HK Monaro is her rear end with that gorgeous sloping back window , her wide stance and the way she’s overalled proportioned.
I have only just found your site through my brother, so don’t know whether you have already done the HK monaro shirt or if you are intending to make them. Could you let me know so I can keep checking regularly so I don’t miss out!
Cheers Lee
Stay tuned! We have ordered a great photo just the other day that we are going to have a play around with. It’s looking like we’ll have an HK Monaro shirt out before the end of November.
Hey did the HK shirt ever eventuate and I missed it, or is it still a work in progress? Looking fwd to the end result if it hasn’t been produced yet
N