Holden Monaro 1st Generation (HK / HT / HG) 

Production period:	1968 to1971
Class	Motor Car
Body versions:	Coupe
Engines:	Gasoline : 2.6-5.7 litres
Length:	184.80 in, 4,694 mm
Width:	71.40 in. 1816 mm
Height:	54.90 in, 1,394 mm
Wheelbase:	111 in, 2,819 mm
Curb weight:	2.585 lb. 1,173 kg

The Holden Monaro 1st Generation was built from 1968 to 1971 in Australia.

History

The Monaro introduced a two-door hardtop (no B-pillar) based on the contemporary sedan Holden Belmont the HK series is and was in the basic version, as GTS and the GTS 327 offered. The basic model was available either with 2.6 l or 3.05 l in-line six-cylinder, the GTS with the 3.05 l R6 in stronger version or a 5.0 l V8. In the GTS 327, a 5.4-liter V8 from Chevrolet did its job. A GTS 327 won in 1968 straight from the Bathurst 500-mile race. In early 1969, the Australian journal Wheels chose the Monaro as "Car of the Year 1968".The front suspension was  independent with wishbones, coil springs,anti-roll bar and telescopic dampers at te rear rigid axle, semi-elliptic leaf-springs and telescopic dampers. Optional an 4-speed mechanical gearbox or  2-speed automatic gearbox also  limited slip final drive as option along with power-assisted steering.

In June 1969, the Monaro HK received a first facelift and now listened to the name 'Monaro HT' '. At the same time, the 5.4-liter V8 was replaced by a 5.7-liter V8 in the top-of-the-line model, its designation changed accordingly to GTS 350 (the figures indicate the cubic inch of the respective displacement). This model also won the Bathurst race in 1969.

1970 followed again slightly revised Monaro HG. Distinguishing features of HT and HG compared to the HK were the plastic radiator grille (the HK it was made of metal), round tachometer on the dashboard instead of quadrangular instrument on the centre console, rubber bearings on the front axle (instead of bearings made of sintered bronze) and enlarged, drawn to the body corners taillights,to distinguish the variants also on the shape of the decorative stripes. For the HK, a strip ran along the left side of the bonnet and bonnet, the HG the stripes ran along the upper flanks and ended just in front of the C-pillar. The GTS models in HT and HG version had air scoops on the bonnet. In design, the first-generation Monaro is similar to the Opel Rekord C coupe; however, the Holden was a good deal bigger.

• PERFORMANCE: 161 cu in
  Engine capacity: 161 cu in, 2,638.31 cu cm
  Fuel consumption: 27.4 ml imp gal, 22.8 ml US
  Max speed:96 mph, 154.6 km/h
  max power (SAE): 114 hp at 4,400 rpm
  max torque (SAE): 157 1b ft. 21.7 m at 2,000 rpm
  max engine rpm: 5,200
  specific power: 43.2 hp/l
  power-weight ratio: 22.7 lb/hp, 10.3 kg/hp;
  acceleration: standing 1/4 mile 20.6 sec. O—50 mph (O—80 km/h) 11.4 sec
• 186 cu in, 3,047.98 cu cm
• 126 hp max speed 100 mph, 161 km/h)
• 145 hp (max speed 110 mph, 177 km/h)
• V8 engine, 307 cu in, 5,030.81 cu cm
  max power (SAE) 210 hp at 4,600 rpm
  max torque (SAE)300 1b ft, 41.4 kg m at 2,400 rpm
  max speed 117 mph, 188.4 km/h

For the Monaro of the types HK, HG and HT a total of 29,529 were produced.