The Story
The foundational pillarless muscle coupe.
The 1968 release of the HK Monaro was a watershed moment for General Motors-Holden. It marked the first time the company had departed from its standard family-sedan silhouette to produce a genuine, pillarless sporting coupe. While shared components from the HK sedan range were evident, the Monaro's sleek roofline and aggressive stance immediately made it a showroom halo.
At the top of the range sat the GTS 327. This wasn't just a styling exercise; it was a homologation special designed specifically to win at Mount Panorama. Powered by a 327 cubic-inch Chevrolet V8, it featured upgraded suspension, a four-speed manual transmission, and was famously entered as a Works team for the 1968 Hardie-Ferodo 500.
The Monaro's victory in that race, driven by Bruce McPhee and Barry Mulholland, did more than just win a trophy; it hard-wired the Monaro name into Australian culture. McPhee famously drove the majority of the race on the same set of tyres, proving the durability and engineering strength of the local machine. This win kicked off the 'Supercar Wars' that would define the next decade of Australian automotive history.
Production Volume
Approximately 8,900 units across all HK Monaro grades (850 GTS 327 units built)
