Full Version: Original Holden Monaro
From: Peter [#1]
16 Mar 2006
To: ALL
Further to our chat at the beach on the Pontiac GTO, here is the precursor to that car, the Australian Monaro, made by Holden GM or G.M.H.
The Current GTO is built and sold in Australia as the Monaro, but it simply doesnt have the appeal the originals did. hence it has now been discontinued.
Follow the link to see the evolution of the car from 1968 onwards.
http://www.holden.com.au/www-holden/jsp/chooseavehicle/popups/monarohistory/hk.jsp
regards
Peter
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#2]
16 Mar 2006
To: Peter [#1] 16 Mar 2006
I now what you're saying, with regard to the new GTO's.
It's almost as if they were here today and gone Monaro. :-)
From: UncleSteve [#3]
16 Mar 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#2] 16 Mar 2006
From: swede (BRUCE_LARSON) [#4]
17 Mar 2006
To: Peter [#1] 17 Mar 2006
Thanks for the history lesson. It was a pleasure to meet and talk with you at the beach. I can see why you would want one of these early models as they definitely have the right look for a 60's or 70's muscle car. The setups are interesting too and mirror what we were doing here except maybe a year or two behind.
If you are interested, a picture of momma's pretty Corvette is on our website, under the others category.
Again we hope you had an enjoyable visit, and hope to see you folks again infuture years.
From: Rodney Gold (RODNEY_GOLD) [#5]
17 Mar 2006
To: swede (BRUCE_LARSON) [#4] Unread
Wow , I used to have one of those Holden Manaros and currently have a Holden v8 Ute with the 308 motor ('72 - hq type model) These were sold as Chevrolet in South Africa.(the Manaro as the Chev SS) You can still buy a Manaro for round $6k in pristine condition over here.
I used to own various Camaros , including a '67 RS/SS , 70 1/2 Z/28 etc and currently have a 1980 Vette that is about 3 weeks away from completing a total refit/respray (I used all modern bits in it , new LT1 350 + Vortech charger , new gauges , interior , suspension parts etc).
Had I bought a new Toyota Corrola , it would have been more expensive than the combined value of these 2 cars as of today and would have been infinitely more boring to drive!! My vette is my baby!!
I also drive a scooter , a honda 600cc silverwing which is even MORE fun then the vette but gets no respect on the road (except when it thrashes 600cc sports bikes from the stoplights)
Heres a pic of the vette (prior to refit) and the scooter
http://www.rodney2.fotopic.net/c492987.html
From: Peter [#6]
17 Mar 2006
To: swede (BRUCE_LARSON) [#4] Unread
The Monaros were great cars and look especially mean, fully modified.
Ford Australia produced the fastest 4 door production sedan in the world in 1971. The 351 GTHO Phase 3 "Shaker" The few that are left of this model sell from a base price of $ 100,000.
It was great touching base at the Beach , Kathy and I are making plans to return to the U.S. again, next time time with the kids.
Saw your Vette...very nice...
regards
Peter
From: Peter [#7]
17 Mar 2006
To: Rodney Gold (RODNEY_GOLD) [#5] 18 Mar 2006
Love the vette also..
Do you think you'd make your way to the US ARA show ?..Must say...great to see the expanse of products and machinery on offer and all the folks we met were worth the trip even if we didnt go to the show.
regards
Peter
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#8]
18 Mar 2006
To: Peter [#6] 18 Mar 2006
Do you have a photo of the 351 GTHO?
I'm wondering if it's anything along the lines of the Mustang. With 4 doors, I would doubt it.
$100,000? I would say that's a pretty good return on investment. :-)
From: UncleSteve [#9]
18 Mar 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#8] 18 Mar 2006
http://holden.itgo.com/hg_monaro.html
Lot's of photos:
http://www.cardomain.com/MakeModel/Holden/Monaro
And if you want to buy one:
http://www.drive.com.au/used/search/results.aspx?m=HOLDEN%7cMONARO&yr=%7c1995
EDITED: 18 Mar 2006 by UNCLESTEVE
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#10]
18 Mar 2006
To: UncleSteve [#9] 18 Mar 2006
Peter mentioned a Ford of Australia product - "The Shaker." That's the one I was curious about.
From: UncleSteve [#11]
18 Mar 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#10] 18 Mar 2006
http://www.falcongt.com.au/PH3DIFF.html (differences between the GT and GTHO models
http://www.cia.com.au/seale/xy.html
http://www.cia.com.au/seale/xydiff.html
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#12]
18 Mar 2006
To: UncleSteve [#11] 18 Mar 2006
Thank you Steve.
OK, so it was a version of the Falcon. A friend of mine had a '62 Falcon, which, while looking a bit funky, was a highly under-rated car. Straight six, w/ 3 on the tree, made for a pretty zippy car.
Personally, I liked the '64 ('65?) Futura, which was a boxier adaptation of the Falcon.
The Falcons were the counterpart to the popular '62-'64 Chevy Novas.
Edit: I couldn't help but notice that an optional 36 gallon fuel tank was available on "The Shaker."
Probably not a bad idea when gas was .25 per gallon. :-)
EDITED: 18 Mar 2006 by DGL
From: UncleSteve [#13]
18 Mar 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#12] 18 Mar 2006
Zippy doesn't begin to describe the feeling of being pushed back into the seat while accelerating in such a light car.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#14]
18 Mar 2006
To: UncleSteve [#13] 18 Mar 2006
Along those lines, what about the "Sunbeam" which was a small, two-seater, with a V-8?
As you say, it's difficult to describe the feeling of being pressed into a seat, by a garden variety, stock muscle car. :-)
From: Rodney Gold (RODNEY_GOLD) [#15]
18 Mar 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#14] 18 Mar 2006
Here's a pic of me and my 70 1/2 Camaro - 454 + Nos fogger - low 10's in the 1/4 on street tyre - At our local dragstrip.
I actually used to drive it on the roads and humiliate yuppies in eurotrash supercars and the like:)
From: UncleSteve [#16]
18 Mar 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#14] 18 Mar 2006
At times, I think the engine weighed as much as the rest of the car. Like a Mini Cooper S (the older type) but with styling AND about twice the HP.
From: Peter [#17]
18 Mar 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#12] 18 Mar 2006
http://www.fouronthefloor.com.au/garage/gtho.html
http://members.optushome.com.au/iroc-z/oz/oz2.html
regards
Peter
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#18]
18 Mar 2006
To: Rodney Gold (RODNEY_GOLD) [#15] 18 Mar 2006
Rodney,
Very nice!!
When's the last time you had it smog checked? :-)
Speaking of speed, a friend of mine received a gift of driving an actual NASCAR vehicle at Charlotte, NC speedway.
His wife videotaped him as he pegged the car for one of his fastest laps.
Although he felt (from inside the car) as though he was setting the track record, one of the pros passed him, as though he was limping into the pits. :-)
The other option of his gift certificate, was to be a passenger in one of the cars, with a pro at the wheel.
I think I would prefer that ride, although I would be sure to wear a diaper under my firesuit. :-)
EDITED: 18 Mar 2006 by DGL
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#19]
18 Mar 2006
To: Peter [#17] 18 Mar 2006
Peter,
Actually, when I look at that car, the body style is reminiscent of the later model Chevy Novas.
I'll have to put a muscle car on my wish list. No room for one at the moment and I wouldn't dare park such a prized posession on the street.
EDITED: 18 Mar 2006 by DGL
From: Mark [#20]
18 Mar 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#19] 18 Mar 2006
And.... The GTO says; The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated. :-)
After owning many GTO's the 2009 just may get my money IF they use the retro cues.
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060302/FREE/60302001&SearchID=73237948354391
EDITED: 18 Mar 2006 by MARK
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