With the HQ series, Holden's design, engineering and manufacturing team delivered the definitive Australian car - new from the ground up and embracing the best of US and European trends.

The HQ's forward-reaching front, flowing rear lines and pronounced 'tumblehome' behind each wheel gave it a compact, ground-hugging look, even though it was bigger than previous models. The separate recessed grille reflected Euro trends while the bulging muscle lines above each wheel arch, the rounded tail and bumper-mounted rear lights were straight Pontiac GTO muscle car.

After it was blacked-out for the Monaro GTS, the HQ's standard silver grille became a road-devouring intake. The Monaro's pillarless coupe roofline and its wrap-over rear window were eye-catching. A new LS - 'luxury and sport' - Monaro with black vinyl roof and dual headlights combined Premier appointments with Monaro style.

The HQ was the most radically new model since 1948, and Monaro shared the benefits. It had a partial front subframe that extended to the centre pillar and a totally new rear suspension. It delivered new levels of structural strength, rough road stability and grip. Further features included a more comprehensive safety package, Holden's first flow-through ventilation, a demisting system, integrated air-conditioning, a new flat dash and slender front pillars for exceptional forward vision.

Holden sixes were also boosted in size, and there were hefty 10 bolt Salisbury limited slip differential rear axles on all V8 models. A new Aussie M21 4 speed close-ratio gearbox could be ordered with the local V8, the big Chevrolet 350 V8 scored a new Muncie 4 speed manual and the 350 was fitted with a Turbo-Hydramatic 400 auto shift.

While Daddy Cool's Eagle Rock topped the charts, Monaro colours came from the 'flower power' palette. They included several purples, pinks, lime and forest greens, acid reds, bright blues, silver and gold.

As the HQ went through several phases over its long model life, the Monaro GTS coupe was upgraded in 1973 to coincide with the release of the four door GTS. It introduced bold new colours, new bonnet and bootlid rally patches, accents on the side vents and optional polished trim rings for the sports wheels.

Holden HQ Monaro GTS 4 Door

1973-74

Inevitably, the trendsetting two-door Monaro had such a strong influence on the rest of the Holden range that sedans took on a similarly sleek look. The process began with the HT sedan's 'faster' roofline and became more apparent with the arrival of the fluid HQ. So it was in the course of this model's long-selling life that Holden took the opportunity to test the waters with a four door Monaro.

In 1972, Holden had offered a limited edition sedan based on the entry level Belmont. The first SS, it was transformed by sports wheels, GTS grille, side vents, blackouts, black boot panel and unusual bonnet stripes from the headlights to the front scuttle panel. Backed up by a 253 V8 (4.2), Aussie four speed manual, bucket seats, sports steering wheel and GTS instruments and finished in 'Infra Red', 'Ultra Violet' or 'Lettuce Alone' green, it became a huge hit.

The first four door GTS Monaro arrived in 1973. It featured new contoured front seats, trimmed in a sophisticated herringbone pattern. Black SS bonnet and boot patches were replaced by louder GTS rally panels on the bonnet and boot lid. They did the trick; there was no mistaking the GTS Monaro four door for any other of the 250,000 HQ Holdens already on the road.

By this stage, the Monaro GTS 350 - coupe or four door - became a rarer beast as more Australian drivers opted for the home-grown 308 V8. The final four door HQ Monaro GTS 350 examples still made a fabulous farewell to the Chevrolet small block V8 with Salisbury rear axle, Muncie four speed and 70 series radials.

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