Holden Monaro

[Steve Holmes]

I've been a fan all my life. Two particular cars were a big influence on me at a young age;

1. The Night Riders stolen black HQ Monaro in Mad Max 1, which exited the movie in a ball of flames.
2. The ex-Jim Richards Jerry Clayton owned HQ Monaro that was raced out of Waikaraka Park speedway, and eventually ended up at my local speedway in Palmerston North, owned by Bill Dorn, and painted up like an American flag. With tall injector stacks bursting through the hood and open exhausts, it was a real weapon.

So how about a thread dedicated to 1st and 2nd gen Holden Monaros, from HK - HZ in 2 and 4 door form. There were several raced in speedway in Australia and New Zealand, plus in production car racing including Bathurst. From there they competed in Improved Production in Aus, and Sports Sedans on both sides of the Tasman

Today, there are several that race in Australia in both historic racing and the Touring Car Masters series.

[Steve Holmes]

Kicking things off with two of the toughest Monaros built; Pete Geoghegans HJ and Bob Janes HQ, at Calder in 1974 or '75. The 6-spoke spin-off wheels looked amazing on Geoghegans machine.

564

[Steve Holmes]

A few from the dirt bull-rings, including Bill Dorns ex-Richards car.

565

567

566

[Ellis]

Beechey 327 at Calder 1st meeting...pic by Leo D
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/nbhky.jpg

Beechey 350 Carbs Baskerville Tas
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/Beecchey350Carbs.jpg

Beechey Symmons Plains tas
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/23.jpg

Jane Calder
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/33-1.jpg

Geoghegan Calder
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/51-1.jpg

Geoghegan Calder
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/59.jpg

[Steve Holmes]

I was hoping you'd have a few to offer Ellis. These are great! Didn't Beechey's HK look fantastic. I believe the body for this car sits in a field somewhere in pretty bad shape? I assume it was painted blue first, then yellow?

Bob Janes HQ really didn't look nice in yellow, as much as I love yellow race cars. It was a superb looking car.

Nice shots too of Geoghegans HJ/HQ in its different guises. For me it was a far better looking car in its first season than with the box box arches.

In the photo of Beechys HT, is that Michael Stillwells Escort Twin-cam in the background on the trailer?

[Ellis]

Beecheys HK 327 was standard Warwick Yellow when he first raced it....Blue Later
He told the story at that meeting of ordering a special GM racing steering wheel from USA.
When it arrived it was excatly the same as the standard GTS wheel...

Thats Stillwells tow car etc in the background.

Notice also Jims Sidchrome Mustang in front of Geoghegans Monaro

I was pretty fond of the Monaro's then and had a Warwick Yellow GTS from new in 1968 albiet a 186S tho.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/MonaroHKGTS70.jpg

[Steve Holmes]

Actually, lots of interesting cars in the background of those photos, including Ron Harrops EH Holden, Allan Moffats Monza, and the Frank(?) Ure V8 Torana which he still owns. Who are the two guys next to Bob and the Monaro in the Kleber t-shirts?

Bet you wish you kept the Monaro!

[Ellis]

Actually, lots of interesting cars in the background of those photos, including Ron Harrops EH Holden, Allan Moffats Monza, and the Frank(?) Ure V8 Torana which he still owns. Who are the two guys next to Bob and the Monaro in the Kleber t-shirts?

Bet you wish you kept the Monaro!


You need to ask someone who still has memory cells intact...lol
Went to Ford after the Monaro...once bitten twice shy.
Still got some of those.

[thunder427]

Actually, lots of interesting cars in the background of those photos, including Ron Harrops EH Holden, Allan Moffats Monza, and the Frank(?) Ure V8 Torana which he still owns. Who are the two guys next to Bob and the Monaro in the Kleber t-shirts?

Bet you wish you kept the Monaro!

Steve,the guy in the white 'Kleber' T.shirt is Pat Purcell,Bob Jane Racing Team Manager/'Wizard' responsible for creating the Monaro 'Sports Sedan' and the 'Yet' to be created Monza,the other guy is Harvey Spencer,BJR Team mechanic (got to love those 'flares'/Pants!!!) I shared a house with Harvey and a fellow called John ('the Ferret') Reirdon (Whincup/ Monza fame) about this time,thats how I got the "Call up" to respray the Monaro back to the Bob's Orange (GMH/Sebring Orange),Ovoiusly the 'Fearless Learder' with his drive suit at 1/2 mast..catching some rays!!!:cool:

I'm pretty sure thats actually at Sandown,where the Monaro was the 'First' Tintop to Crack the 100MPH lap........Bob had been in the 'States on Business only to come back and to find his company heads had decided to "paint' his best Monaro 'YELLOW'..a Personality colour I think Bob described it!!!!!!!!!!:o....regards thunder427/MJ:)

NB;Harvey Spencer was a great Single seater mechanic (F5000 etc) went to England worked for Williams...then Mclaren,still lives in England I believe where he was last working in Formula3......John Rierdon followed suite via the USA,then on to Mclaren where I believe he's know to this day as their 'longest' Employe:D

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks for that Myles, I figured one of them must have been Purcell. And your paint scheme was the wild 4-tone stripe version that appeared in '77?

Just out of interest, was the Monza that replaced the Monaro built from scratch or was it US sourced? Bob must have had a real soft spot for the Monaro, I think he kept it for longer than any other car he raced, from '72 as a brand new car, until '78.

Keep the pics and updates coming guys.

[pallmall]

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/Checraft/Motor%20Racing%20Saloons/391750x528.jpg

[Bruce302]

The George Bunce Monaro (was he still driving it at this time ?) behind Robin Tanner, must be '74 or '75.

A buddy of mine had this as a street car about '78, By then it had a 307 backed up by the Muncie, but it was pretty strong and it handled well, and stopped extremely well.
A later owner is said to have wrapped it around a power pole, I haven't seen or heard of it since.

http://i56.tinypic.com/1zbuqo2.jpg

Bruce.

[Ellis]

Beechey...

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/09.jpg

[kiwi285]

http://i51.tinypic.com/33a6lhs.jpg http://i54.tinypic.com/opvkaw.jpg

A couple of shots I took last year. Hopefully it will see the light of day again.

[RSROGER]

Interesting looking at frontal shot of Beecheys monaro, now days we try and keep as much air as possible out from under the car, the aluminium scoops on this old girl look as if they are designed to stuff as much of it under the car as possible. I guess cooling the over worked brakes was more important than making it go round corners.

[Bruce302]

Grady Thompson, I apologise to the photographer, I don't have those details , but full credit when I find out,

http://i53.tinypic.com/1rrodw.jpg

[Steve Holmes]

So is the Spinner Black/Grady Thompson Cambridge Monaro also the Bunce Monaro?

[Rod Grimwood]

I think there is a connection there. It sat at John Windleburns workshop on the Shore for ages after George had finished was burnt orange in colour. I want to catch up with John about something else so while there i will do some research

[Bruce302]

This was a street car I had. 375/396 big block Chevrolet, Turbo 400, 9" Ford rear axle with 4.70 gears. 11.5-28.5-15 slicks.
Can you say 'HEAVY'

http://i55.tinypic.com/1038m14.jpg

[Bruce302]

The ex Bunce Monaro as a street car with yet another licence plate.

http://i54.tinypic.com/2dahj14.jpg

[Rod Grimwood]

Here is another shot at Puke (care of unknown photog), she sure had some number plates.

[Bruce302]

It looks much better there, it fell a long way in 3 short years, but I don't recall the Rod Coppins and Johnny Riley drives. Can someone refresh my memory.

Bruce.

[Steve Holmes]

Much like your Firebird Bruce, and its rapid decline during the mid 70s. I guess you could say the Firebird was fortunate to have fallen into the right hands, the Monaro wasn't.

[Steve Holmes]

I think thats one of Gerard Richards' own photos above. He wrote an article on Spinner Black recently. Did Coppins race the car when it was still in Cambridge colours? My understanding was that Spinner didn't much care for the Camaro, so Coppins drove that, and he had the Monaro built for himself to drive alongside, but rarely ever found the time for it, and eventually passed it on to Thompson. From memory the Monaro was fitted with a 350ci Chevy, which was too big for the 5.5 litre engine limit, so what was it built for? Only thing I can think of was for the international saloon races that took place each year with promoters (usually Bay Park) importing cars and drivers from Australia, US etc.

[Bruce302]

The Monaro was an HK, so it could have been a 327, and i'm sure that if it had a 350, it woulld have been called a 327 anyway.

[Steve Holmes]

Its got an HT grille Bruce, plus I'm quite certain I read that it was fitted with a 350, and it definitely ran this way when Grady had it. Will go and double check my sources though.

[Bruce302]

Yep it was an HT grill but skinny HK tail lights. You could well be right about the engine, I'm just throwing ideas around.

Bruce.

[David McKinney]

My recollection was that when Grady Thomson (no 'p') ran the car it was with a 350, so he couldn't compete in championship events. But that's without checking...

[Steve Holmes]

Well spotted Bruce!

David, you are correct on both counts. Grady didn't spell his name with a 'p', and the car definitely raced with a 350 during the 1969/70 season, when the NZSCC engine maximum was 5.5 litres. I have been through several magazines, and they almost always note the car had a 5.7 (350) engine. I'll need to check every magazine covering that season, but of the ones I've seen so far, the Monaro doesn't seem to compete in any NZSC championship races. Grady raced the car in the Mercury $1,000 series, and at the big Bay Park Easter 1970 meeting, where the organisers imported Terry Allan and his big block Camaro, which was also a non-championship event.

Its hard to imagine now, but back then the most important races for many competitors were the high profile events where the organisers shipped out international cars and drivers. These were the events that attracted the big crowds. So maybe the car was built to run at these events. Rick Deihl (who built the PDL Mustang II) told me that the PDL team ended their 1977 NZ saloon championship season early so they could take PDL II to Australia to race. For many teams, winning the high profile events was of greater importance than winning championships, as NZ motorsport at the time relied heavily on international support. The PDL team held a comfortable points lead in the championship over Jack Nazers Victor when they pulled out.

[David McKinney]

Not disrespect intended to his memory, but Grady was never a serious championship contender in anything he raced. I suspect he just couldn't be bothered with the expense of changing the Monaro's engine, and was happy to run it a few times a year

[timbo61]

A few Aussie Sports Sedan Monaro's from over the years,

Beechey's restored Monaro at the Muscle car masters meeting at Eastern Creek.
http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/3530/scn0013z.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/834/scn0013z.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)
Tino Leo at Winton,
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/4417/scn0014.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/221/scn0014.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)
Bob Stevens at Amaroo Park,
http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/2763/scn0015.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/339/scn0015.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)
Paul Axiak in his Historic Touring Car at Oran Park,
http://img848.imageshack.us/img848/9767/scn0016.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/848/scn0016.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[Steve Holmes]

Great photos Timbo. Got any more?

The Tino Leo HQ is the Bob Jane car which has now been restored by owner Des Wall back to its original 1972 Improved Production guise.

The Bob Stevens car is the Pete Geoghegan HJ Monaro sports sedan, which was owned at the time (when Geoghegan raced it) by Laurie O'Neil. The car still exists, but requires a complete restoration, but hasn't been changed a great deal from its 1976 guise, which was its second year of competition.

Thanks again Timbo.

[Steve Holmes]

Not disrespect intended to his memory, but Grady was never a serious championship contender in anything he raced. I suspect he just couldn't be bothered with the expense of changing the Monaro's engine, and was happy to run it a few times a year

Yes I'd agree with that David. I don't think Grady took his racing too seriously, and probably didn't care about being NZ champion. The car was built for Spinner Black, who didn't have a lot of time for racing, with his numerous business dealings, so perhaps he just thought he'd run it at a few big (non championship) events each year, where it was OK to have the larger engine.

[Steve Holmes]

Bob Jane, leads Jim Richards and a crossed-up (as usual) Pete Geoghegan, 1975.

624

[timbo61]

A couple of more modern Monaro's we can't forget are the Gary Rogers Motorsport built Nations Cup cars with Chev 427's under the bonnet.

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/1343/scn0023b.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/638/scn0023b.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)
http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/855/scn0024.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/846/scn0024.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[Bruce302]

http://i51.tinypic.com/1z3m8er.jpg

[Steve Holmes]

Well thats interesting Bruce! Got any more info? Says Graeme Addis on the side and his Charger raced as #6 too from memory.

[Bruce302]

I only found that pic in an old hard drive yesterday, I have no idea where it came from. It looks like the dip coming into the front straight at Puke, (cabbage trees in the background) but I could be very wrong. A GTX entry perhaps, it looks about the right level of preparation.
Anybody else remember the car ?

[Leo D]

[QUOTE=Ellis;748]Beechey 327 at Symmons Plains Tas
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/nbhky.jpg

Ellis, I think you'll find that picture is actually mine, but that's ok, and not a problem.... I'm happy to see the pics out there...

My point in posting is that it was actually taken on the cars first run at Calder Park in 1968..... Norm won the first race from Pete Geoghegan in the Mustang, the second encounter of the day never occured, as the Monaro spent the rest of the day on the back of the Shell truck. As to why that was, I do not know....

[Leo D]

Here is a shot of the HK in "Electric Blue".... the same spot in the tent, facing the other direction
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/449/nbhkb.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/29/nbhkb.jpg/)

I was born and breed less than 10 minutes walk from Norm's workshop in Sydney Road Coburg.... many times after school, I used to wander up the back lane behind the workshop (which was also the workshop for the car yard) and tucked down in the right hand corner were Norm's race cars, sometimes in full view... the HK above.... latter the black Camaro, and also the 1970 ATCC winning Monaro...

[nigel watts]

Here's the Norm Beechey Monaro racing at Oran Park

1007

[nigel watts]

1008

[Steve Holmes]

Here is a shot of the HK in "Electric Blue".... the same spot in the tent, facing the other direction
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/449/nbhkb.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/29/nbhkb.jpg/)

I was born and breed less than 10 minutes walk from Norm's workshop in Sydney Road Coburg.... many times after school, I used to wander up the back lane behind the workshop (which was also the workshop for the car yard) and tucked down in the right hand corner were Norm's race cars, sometimes in full view... the HK above.... latter the black Camaro, and also the 1970 ATCC winning Monaro...

These are beautiful photos Leo. I always liked Norm's HK. I'm not sure if its true, but this is apparently what became of this car: http://www.motorsportarchive.com/BeecheyHK0002_web.jpg

Having lived so close to Norm's workshop, you probably have some interesting tales to add to the 'Car Yards And Garages' thread, as Norm was quite a character: http://www.theroaringseason.com/showthread.php?158-Car-Yards-and-Garages-with-Motor-Sport-Connections

[Leo D]

Steve, some more shots of Norm for you and other Monaro fans. Pictures and permission to upload them were given by a friend Ray Sinclair.

The man himself.... Calder Park in the Nova

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/2641/ncalder.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/196/ncalder.jpg/)

The first run in the HK at Calder in 1968

http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/6350/norm1968.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/845/norm1968.jpg/)

Norm and Pete.... Head to Head..... the first ever race for Norm's HK..

http://img815.imageshack.us/img815/9545/normpete1968.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/815/normpete1968.jpg/)

Pete Geoghegan leading Norm (the HK now Electric Blue), Bob Jane in the 3rd of his Mustangs (It's first run from memory), Alan Hamilton in the Porsche and Peter Manton in the Mini.... mid 1968 before Norm got the black Camaro..

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/7149/normpetebob1968.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/217/normpetebob1968.jpg/)

[Steve Holmes]

Leo, these are beautiful! I especially love the last action shot. Just fantastic. So the blue Bob Jane Mustang above is different to the red one with yellow stripe he raced? This one (the blue one above) is ex-Shelby works team car isn't it?

Do you have any of Bob Jane's HQ and Pete Geoghegan's HJ/Q Monaros? Two of my all-time favourite cars.

[Stan]

Is this car still owned by the Algies.

[Steve Holmes]

Is this car still owned by the Algies.

Is that the one in Post 14? I believe it still is. Anyone got any pics of this car from when it raced? I don't think it travelled much, mostly just raced at Pukekohe and Bay Park.

[Steve Holmes]

So does anyone know what actually happened to Beecheys HK Monaro? And for that matter, what happened to his '68 Camaro that he raced just four times in between the Nova and the arrival of the HK Monaro?

[Leo D]

Pictures again kindly supplied by Ray Sinclair.

Bob's Monaro in Red and Yellow..... Pete Geoghegan in the Monaro..... all at Calder.

Slightly out of place on this thread, but.... Bob in the Trans Am, when it first arrived painted Blue, and latter in Red... I'm not quite sure on the full storty on that car, but I'm looking into it :-)

This was Bob's 3rd Mustang, replacing the Red one with the yellow stripe. The second Mustang went to Chris Brauer, who wrote it off at the Lakeside ATCC race. The first Mustang of Bob's (White in colour) was written off at Catalina Park.

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/9324/bjmr.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/96/bjmr.jpg/)

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/9259/bjmy.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/52/bjmy.jpg/)

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/5890/pgmc.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/834/pgmc.jpg/)

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/3074/bmcj.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/217/bmcj.jpg/)

http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/9563/bmr.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/546/bmr.jpg/)

And just to pad out the post a little more, another shot of mine..... Norm's HK, again Calder Park

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/5830/hkblue.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/69/hkblue.jpg/)

[Leo D]

Another shot kindly supplied by Ray Sinclair...... Unfortunately a sad shot of Norm's HK at Bathurst

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/9674/ntor.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/651/ntor.jpg/)

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Leo, these are really superb. I'm quite certain now I think about it, that Bobs Mustang above was an ex Shelby team car from the '68 Trans-Am season. I'm pretty sure it was sold back to the US a few years ago. I have seen the Lakeside image in which Brauer spears off the track shortly after the start. Pretty sickening image it is too. I'd forgotten that this was Bobs second Mustang.

The Monaro shots are stunning! Thanks to Ray Sinclair for letting us see these. I assume the first Bob Jane HQ shot is from the '74 season? I'm pretty certain the car remained the single '72 colour in '73, and in '75 it sprouted the front and rear spoilers, so this must be '74.

Geoghegans Monaro looked so good that first season as depicted above. It really didn't look as good in my opinion with the box guards as fitted in '76.

So Norms Monaro was yellow first, then blue?

Thanks again Leo, I could look at these photos all day.

[pallmall]

The 1969 car was blue, the championship winner in 1970 was yellow. (I hope I have the years correct)

[Leo D]

The Chris Brauer incident occured at the Lakeside round of the 1970 ATCC.

Yes, Bob's 3rd Mustang that we are talking about did leave Australia.

As to the exact dates for Bob's Monaro shots, I'm not exactly sure of those at the moment.

As to Norm's colour schemes, they go as follows...... "Neptune Racing Team", Blue with White stripes.... this runs through to the Chevy Nova.... The neptune Team becomes the "Tridents Racing Team", the colour scheme changes to Black with a Yellow and Red stripe combo... we're still with the Nova at this stage.... "Tridents Racing Team" then changes colour scheme to "Electric Blue" retaining the Yellow and Red stripes.... Norm then aquires the HK Monaro, which at first appears in the standard Holden Yellow with the black stripe.... the other Tridents cars in the Electric Blue scheme..... the HK is eventually painted in the same Electirc Blue, Yellow and Red stripe combo.

For 1970, the team changes to the "Shell Racing Team"..... Yellow cars with Red stripes...

Here is another of Rays shots at Calder.... Allan Moffats first run there in the Mustang.... Norm leading from Pete Geoghegan and Allan Moffat... The Moffat Mustang ended up with a large dent in the bonnet after he gave Norm a serve in the first corner of one of the races..

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/432/npac.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/854/npac.jpg/)

This is the first round of the 1970 ATCC at Calder, which was won by Allan Moffat.... Norm DNF'd

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/8127/nbac.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/24/nbac.jpg/)

Of course, there are alway the pictures of Norm's Chevy Nova..... my personal favourite of his cars....

[Steve Holmes]

Yes, thats how I remember it Leo, with the HK Monaro being yellow, then blue, and the HT Monaro being yellow throughout its three seasons with Beechey. The only thing that seemed to change externally on the HT was the wheels and the number on the door. And the brake ducts got bigger.

Of the Brauer crash, there is a graphic shot of this in the ATCC book, capturing the incident just as the Mustang is bent like a boomerang. Very nasty.

[beowulf]

Grady Thompson, I apologise to the photographer, I don't have those details , but full credit when I find out,

http://i53.tinypic.com/1rrodw.jpg
Was this the Monaro that Grady Thomson and Rick Rimmer, they were a couple of likely lads, won the first international (?) rally with in New Zealand?

[bob homewood]

That would be Grady perhaps at Wigram at the Mercury Trophy Series

[David McKinney]

Was this the Monaro that Grady Thomson and Rick Rimmer, they were a couple of likely lads, won the first international (?) rally with in New Zealand?
Pretty sure it wasn't the 1969 Silver Fern winner

[GD66]

Or the Heatway. But I have a nagging feeling the Monaro he started production racing with had a gallop as a rally car....

[David McKinney]

It was the 1969 Silver Fern the Monaro won
The first Heatway wasn't until 1971

[GD66]

Good-oh, mate. Grady was a breath of fresh air when he went racing I thought, certainly seemed to be having a good time of it.

[Steve Holmes]

Was this the Monaro that Grady Thomson and Rick Rimmer, they were a couple of likely lads, won the first international (?) rally with in New Zealand?

That Monaro was built up for saloon car racing by Spinner Black during 1969. Not sure of its history prior to that, but it was built into this guise in '69. Grady took it over in the later part of the 1969/70 season.

[Leo D]

For those that like Monaros...

http://aso.gov.au/titles/ads/holden-monaro-three-models/

The first clip has lot's on "Names" from the period..... The second clip is thae advert for the car...

Note that Norm Beechey is there in the Nova in the first clip several times ...... an obvious tie in with the fact that he would be in the new Monaro....

[faminz]

How about these two?
Obviously Norm Beecheys Monaro when it raced in NZ and one other... anyone identify the other?19411942

[Steve Holmes]

Cool photos Brett. Can you recall what colour the HQ Monaro was? This is Craig Pulman racing it here. If the car was lime green then its probably the old Neville Crichton Castrol GTX car.

[faminz]

Can you recall what colour the HQ Monaro was?

no idea sorry Steve, Not my photos! I scanned them for a mate. Ill ask him next time I see him.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Brett, yeah that'll be great.

[Daryn]

Cool photos Brett. Can you recall what colour the HQ Monaro was? This is Craig Pulman racing it here. If the car was lime green then its probably the old Neville Crichton Castrol GTX car.

Hi guy's this is interesting, Neville's Car did have a roll cage in it at some stage, this could also be Don Scott's old Car? One and the same? Didn't Steve Dymand race one around the same time as well?
I reckon this one was Don Scott's Monaro, Don was running number 19 on the Splashe Drink Sponsored Car in 73/74, I think!?

[Jac Mac]

Hi guy's this is interesting, Neville's Car did have a roll cage in it at some stage, this could also be Don Scott's old Car? One and the same? Didn't Steve Dymand race one around the same time as well?
I reckon this one was Don Scott's Monaro, Don was running number 19 on the Splashe Drink Sponsored Car in 73/74, I think!?

Steve Dymands car, I had a feeling it was Orange/Black, remember him at Teretonga having a spectacular 'off' at 'old' control tower bend & got his photo in mid air as it nearly launched itself back onto the main straight. I am fairly sure it was here in Southland/NZ in early 80's and got fitted with a BBChev 454 and coincidently was also painted lime green during that period.

[Steve Holmes]

I'd say the the photo of the HQ Monaro pictured above would have been taken later than 1975, just because of the wheels its fitted with. During the time Crichton and Scott ran these/this car in the GTX series during the 1973/74 and 1974/75 seasons they weren't allowed to fit aftermarket wheels. Only standard wheels were allowed.

[Daryn]

I'd say the the photo of the HQ Monaro pictured above would have been taken later than 1975, just because of the wheels its fitted with. During the time Crichton and Scott ran these/this car in the GTX series during the 1973/74 and 1974/75 seasons they weren't allowed to fit aftermarket wheels. Only standard wheels were allowed.

Would it make sense if this car was run in the Shell 100 in 1975 ish?

[Daryn]

This is interesting Jac, I'll have to hunt down the photo of my car, I'm sure there was an orange and there was definately another coat of Lina Mint before the Silver then the final spray can brown!
OMG! all of these cars could be one and the same Crichton car!

[Steve Holmes]

Would it make sense if this car was run in the Shell 100 in 1975 ish?

I'm sure i saw a photo of it in an old MotorAction magazine. I'll see if I can find it. I'm pretty sure this photo would be taken after it raced in Castrol GTX, because it has the cage fitted, and even in the shot where the car is brown in the second season it raced it doesn't yet have a cage fitted.

Craig Pulman has been building race engines for years, and has/had a company called Pro-Action which built a bunch of those space-frame Trans-Am cars in the 90s. Someone on here should have a contact for him. No doubt he'd be able to fill in some details on where the car came from before he got it.

[Milan Fistonic]

Another shot of the Bunce Monaro.

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[Steve Holmes]

Hey thats fantastic Milan! That was quite an old race car by this time, but still looked great.

[bigbanger]

IMHO, Steve Hildred's Monaro would have to be argueably NZ's most notable racing Monaro. A long history from drag racing to sports sedans to muscle car racing.

[Steve Holmes]

http://i51.tinypic.com/1z3m8er.jpg

Bruce, I can confirm this was Graeme Addis with this Monaro. This photo was taken at the 1975 Rod Coppins Motors endurance race at Pukekohe. A magazine description of the car said Addis had built it up for this race after watching the first round of the series at Manfeild. As the Manfeild race was round 1 of the endurance series, and the Puke race was round 2, there were only two weeks between the two events, so he must have built it in double-quick time!

[Rod Grimwood]

I think the guy who's name is on front guard may have owned the car Steve, he was from Otahuhu and raced all kinds of things back then from mini boats to cars.

[bob homewood]

Yep was he a windscreen man or a panelbeater ?

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks guys, thats great info. The car seems to have vanished as quickly as it appeared.

[fastback]

Hi Steve
Was the Stillwell escort driven by Graham Ritter or micheal Stillwell at this time?

[Rod Grimwood]

Yep was he a windscreen man or a panelbeater ?

He had a window/glass business Bob

[Steve Holmes]

Hi Steve
Was the Stillwell escort driven by Graham Ritter or micheal Stillwell at this time?

Someone will be able to correct me here but the Escort was raced by Ritter in 1971 and Stillwell in 72. Stillwell almost won the 72 ATCC with it.

[Leo D]

Steve,

You're on the money there, Graham Ritter drove the Escort in 1971, finishing 6th overall in the ATCC.

Michael Stillwell almost won the ATCC in 1972, due to the point system introduced that year, which awarded equal points for under 2 ltr cars and over 2ltr cars, with additional bonus points for outright positions, and the Stillwell car had a good score rate in the under 2ltr class, but often picked up out right positions as well..... thus helping its overall points tally.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks for confirming that Greg. So is this the same car that sometimes races with the Touring Car Masters series?

[fastback]

Yes the same car.
Stillwells also owned the Globe escort but have recently sold it unrestored.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks fastback.

[TonyG]

Beechey Monaro at the Lakeside 50th Anniversary meeting
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/Lakeside%2050th%20Anniversary%20Meet%202011/LS340-3.jpg

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/Lakeside%2050th%20Anniversary%20Meet%202011/LS375-3.jpg

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/Lakeside%2050th%20Anniversary%20Meet%202011/LS376-3.jpg

And with one of its rivals
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/Lakeside%2050th%20Anniversary%20Meet%202011/LS365-3.jpg

[TonyG]

Gary Jackson 71 Monaro in the Group N Class at Lakeside.

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/LS193-223.jpg

Kevin Heffernan 69 Monaro in the Group N Class at Lakeside.

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/LS447-3.jpg

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/LS175-3.jpg

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/LS172-3.jpg

[Steve Holmes]

Is this the ex-Beechey HK Monaro?

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[Steve Holmes]

Anyone got any info on this HQ Monaro driven by Neville March? These pics were taken in 1977 and 1978, so it likely wouldn't have been a contender against what was around at the time, but still a nice looking car.

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Both there pics and the above HK are from the excellent Old Race Photos website: www.oldracephotos.com (http://www.oldracephotos.com)

[Steve Holmes]

Can someone attending this weekend Australian Muscle Car Masters please grab a few photos of the Bob Jane HQ that'll be present? And while you're at it, a few of the other Monaros from the various races too.

[zombie289]

Anyone know anything about these two HT or HG 308 (Im assuming 308, to fit in the classes 5L limit) Monaros that ran in South Africa in 1970... All I found is they were driven by Dick Marals & Dave Clapham.... Might have had F5000 donks in them???106621066310664

[Steve Holmes]

Hey Pauly, thanks for the pics, those are really great pics. I like that MkII Cortina too! I hope someone can help with info. Whats interesting is the first generation Monaro was assembled in South Africa, but they weren't called Monaros, they were called a Chevrolet SS. They differed slightly in appearance in that they had four headlights. The cars in your pics must be Aussie Monaros. They also have GTS badges, which the Chevy SS never had. So they must have been imported from Australia, rather than being locally assembled.

[mid-year]

Hi Steve,the equivalent to the HT Monaro assembled in SA was identical to the Australian car but did use local glass,trim and lights and was badged Monaro GTS .:)The later HG version featured the four headlight grill and unique wrap around front park/indicator lamp assembly ( similar to an XW/XY ) and these were badged Chevrolet SS.All the SA assembled cars had vinyl roofs so I suspect the two yellow GTS,s are original SA built cars.

[mid-year]

The 1968 Surfers Paradise 12 hour featured a Le-Mans start with drivers running from the opposite side of the track to access their vehicle,caused much trouble donning full harness safety belts but was very pukka.1067910680

[mid-year]

Surfers Paradise Drags Late 70,s1068110682

[Rod Grimwood]

Visit to a friend up north the other day, he has this sitting in shed, sat there for about 17 years. Engine has been freshened. Has no urgency to use it at moment. Straight and original.

[Ellis]

Is this the ex-Beechey HK Monaro?

4096

No Steve...it was Warwick Yellow same as Beecheys tho.
It was built up by the late John Zeigler of Smithton in Tassie.
John later had a Camaro he raced up almost to his passing in 2011.
He entered it in 2011 Baskerville Historics but was unable to drive it.
The Camaro was sold ealier this year and the new owner allowed
John's sons to run it at 2012 Longford Revival

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Ellis. What model Camaro did he have? And what class did the Camaro race in?

[Steve Holmes]

Visit to a friend up north the other day, he has this sitting in shed, sat there for about 17 years. Engine has been freshened. Has no urgency to use it at moment. Straight and original.

Wow, that is in amazing condition! The HZ GTS was released with the new RTS, which transformed the cars handling.

[Steve Holmes]

Hi Steve,the equivalent to the HT Monaro assembled in SA was identical to the Australian car but did use local glass,trim and lights and was badged Monaro GTS .:)The later HG version featured the four headlight grill and unique wrap around front park/indicator lamp assembly ( similar to an XW/XY ) and these were badged Chevrolet SS.All the SA assembled cars had vinyl roofs so I suspect the two yellow GTS,s are original SA built cars.

Thanks Pete, that is brilliant!

[Steve Holmes]

Surfers Paradise Drags Late 70,s1068110682

Love these photos.

[Steve Holmes]

The 1968 Surfers Paradise 12 hour featured a Le-Mans start with drivers running from the opposite side of the track to access their vehicle,caused much trouble donning full harness safety belts but was very pukka.1067910680

These are fabulous! I'm guessing a few of those guys were probably doing up their harnesses as they charged around the first lap, rather than before they got moving.

[Bruce302]

The funny thing about the RTS (Radial Tuned Suspension) was the castor and camber settings were switched and indeed the handling was transformed with radial tyres, but it would need to be. It was diabolical before the change.

Bruce.

[Steve Holmes]

Yeah you got that right! The concept behind the original HQ handling was that it be so bad, no owner within their right mind would try and drive the things anywhere near their limit.

[Ellis]

Thanks Ellis. What model Camaro did he have? And what class did the Camaro race in?

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/100_0332-1.jpg
Nc

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Ellis. Actually I do recognise that car. Seen that pic somewhere before.

[Ellis]

Thanks Ellis. Actually I do recognise that car. Seen that pic somewhere before.

Ive put it up on here before I think...probably the Terry Allan thread
I took it at Baskerville in 2009 ? Historics

[Milan Fistonic]

Just came across these shots of the Mark Parsons' Monaro.

The orange XU1 belongs to Grant Liston but I can't remember the owners of the other two.


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[John McKechnie]

Vern Reeves is the other Torana -pastel blue green- has Road and Track on the screen and Duke Motorsport videos on the side.This parking are looks so bare without the garages there.Thanks to the generosity of Terry Siddel , Gerni Waterblasters name was on quite a few race cars then ,including his own car-black 1970 Mustang that Wymer currently owns

[Kiwiboss]

I know Vern still owns a Torana, wonder if its still this one!! hmmmm!! and wouldn't it be great to see all these Holdens back on the track again!!

Dale M

[John McKechnie]

Hey Dale, what are you doing here, you need to be getting organized for next weekend.Yes, Vern still has the car, was talking to him at the Amon meeting and says he would love to get out in HMC.This would make him another of the very long term owner committed to the sport.. I know Grant hasnt got his car any more.Another XU1 belonged Graham Crawford-he won the Glenvale Endurance race at Baypark in 70s, anyone know what happened the that one?

[Steve Holmes]

Just came across these shots of the Mark Parsons' Monaro.

The orange XU1 belongs to Grant Liston but I can't remember the owners of the other two.


10778

10779

Milan, your photo collection must be staggering! Is it just me or do those look like XE Fairmont Ghia wheels on that Monaro?

[kiwi285]

Hi - here are a couple of photos of Brett Pearce's new HMC Monaro. Had its first outing at Hampton Downs on Saturday and came though it well.

http://i46.tinypic.com/254yr8z.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/1zx9yx4.jpg
http://i47.tinypic.com/zwgj1k.jpg
http://i48.tinypic.com/23mst55.jpg

[John McKechnie]

Hi Mike,
I think you will find that it is Brett, not Dave.Great pix , and it sounded sooooooooooooooo great. A great new addition to HMC. Makes me proud to have Monaro at home.

[Rod Grimwood]

Never heard a bad sounding 327 John.

[John McKechnie]

Hi Rod, I have an addition to the family that may interest you, it also had a nice sounder in it, your name sake and my name sake drove it.

[Steve Holmes]

Hi - here are a couple of photos of Brett Pearce's new HMC Monaro. Had its first outing at Hampton Downs on Saturday and came though it well.

http://i46.tinypic.com/254yr8z.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/1zx9yx4.jpg
http://i47.tinypic.com/zwgj1k.jpg
http://i48.tinypic.com/23mst55.jpg

Thanks for posting those Mike, really neat pics! Its great to see Brett out racing that Monaro. He has owned it for a few years, and finally found somewhere to race it in HMC.

[Habu]

Just came across these shots of the Mark Parsons' Monaro.

The orange XU1 belongs to Grant Liston but I can't remember the owners of the other two.


10778

10779

Pretty sure the yellow XU1 at the end is Ralph Emsons one - he bought a few of the ones he raced during their heyday back during the late 1980's, and am pretty sure this car is one of them.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks to Craig Stacey for sending me these. Bob Janes HQ Monaro at this years Muscle Car Masters:

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[Bruce302]

Not race cars, but I saw these guys out for a Sunday drive in the late 70's, I wonder where they all are now ? Headed and tailed it seems by a couple of outsiders.

http://i45.tinypic.com/s65bo7.jpg

[Steve Holmes]

Wow, thats an absolute ripper photo Bruce! I wonder if the brown Camaro at the front is Steve Malam in the old Art McKee Castrol GTX car. He owned it for a while. Pretty impressive line-up. Although that lot would have been pretty affordable back then, that'd easily be over half a million dollars worth of cars now, given the rapid rise in Monaro values.

[Bruce302]

Not sure if that Camaro would bee the ex McKee car. Those side pipes were the hot set up back then, and the bronze colour was popular at that time too.
Certainly a few nice cars in there.
Bruce.

[John McKechnie]

Where is that pic taken Bruce, thats a fine building behind them? Woulntnt want an earthquake to happen then with that massive parapet above them

[PhotoSmith]

Pretty sure the yellow XU1 at the end is Ralph Emsons one - he bought a few of the ones he raced during their heyday back during the late 1980's, and am pretty sure this car is one of them.

Could be (?) the same car he ran in the 21st Anniversary - Shell silver fern rally (1990).

Part of the Golden Olden Holden team along with Monaros of Mark Parsons & Dave McMillan that won teams award.

[Bruce302]

Where is that pic taken Bruce, thats a fine building behind them? Woulntnt want an earthquake to happen then with that massive parapet above them

That was Ngaruawahia (sp) John, I haven't passed through there in daylight in many years. Probably hasn't seen much change.
Bruce.

[John McKechnie]

Used to be a time when you could count on seeing a dead/sleeping Falcon Coupe or Monaro sitting on blocks in someones yard while traveling through this area.

[John McKechnie]

This thread has been quiet for a while, it is anorak time -statistics of imported HK Bathurst Monaros to GM in Trentham .Does not include private imports.
Here we go-
81837 327 manual-40.
Colour breakdown-
Picardy Red-3.
Warwick Yellow-11.
Silver Mink-6.
Inca Gold-1.
Bright Blue-19
First one was HK-3337, last one was HK-60666.These are the numbers stamped on the firewall-not the skinny or wide tags.
Will return with 80737 stats showing 186s and 307 .

[John McKechnie]

Here are some more riveting stats for fans-there were 180 Monaros- 80737 GTS -imported by GM in Trentham between 19.8.68 and 20.5.69. Model break down as follows-80737 could have 186s or 307
59 of these were 307 V8,
82 were automatics.
We only got GTS and not the base model -161, three on the tree, bench seats.
One of these came into the country for display purposes for all the dealers to see and get excited by.
Was this the one from Taupo that was repowered by a twin turbo Nissan?

[John McKechnie]

So stats show that in a 9 month period , GM in Trentham imported 220 Monaro GTS for we lucky Kiwis.
And that is only HK .
HT to follow.

[Bruce302]

John, great breakdown on the model numbers. Was 81837 just for the 327 and 350, and did that include the non Bathurst cars i.e. the auto and in the case of the HT at least, car without the 25 gallon tank ?

I assume that the 8 is the GM division number (Chev 1, Pontiac 2, etc) and 37 is the code for two door coupe right ? Do you know the other numbers ?

Bruce.

[John McKechnie]

Hi Bruce,
I spent 7 years in the Parts Dept of GM agents -Davie Motors and Paine Motors, so I know a parts book and ID.As you well know I have always had a strong attachment to Monaros so have researched them very deeply.This information I put up is not available through usual research and so that is why I put up this format.
Feel free to drop in and see it , it will blow you away.
81837 was always the Bathurst model designation for HK/HT/HG.
327 was HK only, 350 was HT/HG.
HK Bathursts were all manual.
Details I will put up for HT show manual and auto for 81837.
The Bathurst tank was only fitted to those models that had the big diff.
However just because the big diff was there did not always mean a big tank.
Big tank also needed a different located breather and bigger tank protection plates.
There was a special step over the diff section on the floor for the big diffs.
8 was Holden.
35 was Station wagon,
69 was sedan.
Will get back soon with full breakdown of models.

[John McKechnie]

80169-standard Belmont-M15 designation meant all synchro.
80369-standard Kingswood sedan.L20/J52l-large motor , disc brakes.M25-auto.
80569 -premier sedan.
80135-belmont station wagon.
80335-kingswood wagon.
80535-premier wagon
81469-Brougham
80180 Belmot Ute.
80380 Kingswood ute

[Bruce302]

Thanks John, Looking forward to it. My HT 350 was an 81837, but auto, and the previous owner had put in a big tank, but not the right breather. I only found out when the fire dept was called to clean up fuel spewing out the filler on a hot summer day.

[John McKechnie]

Right, here we go on HT Monaros-
30-81837
8 were autos.
12 -Sebring Orange.
7-Daytona Bronze.
8-Verdoro Green.
1-Monaco Maroon.
1-Kashmir White.
1-Monza Blue.
All imported by GM at Trentham between15.9.69 to 8.6.70

[Bruce302]

Whoa, mine was the Monaco maroon, one of one !

[John McKechnie]

Bruce, baby, someone had to own it , and it was you
Was your key number 9125?
Also this was an automatic-was yours?
If not yours may have been a private import.
It was a late arrival, and is the only one that was not assigned a Dealers name.
Have the first owners name.-thats private ,for your eyes only.

[John McKechnie]

Back again with more HT Monaro stats-
9 of 80337 Monaro-6 cylinder very standard-not GTS
1 auto.
2-80437 Monaro.-not GTS
1-307 auto.
1 -253 manual.

[Bruce302]

John,
Mine was an auto, from the Wellington area I believe. It wasn't new when I got it. In fact I bought it from Rod Coppins (motors) when he was up in Great North Rd, Key number ? not sure. I may still have one, I often keep a key as a souvineer.

[John McKechnie]

Bruce, sounds like your car all right. As you say one of one.You put in a pic here much earlier showing you dragging one, is it the same one? Also interesting about the later fitting of a big tank, they didnt exactly grow on trees, always a rare item. I got one from Aus 10 years ago, made sure it had the correct filler-was Aus $1000 , plus freight,at the time.Never regretted it as an essential item for my HK

[Steve Holmes]

This is bloody good info John, keep it coming.

[Bruce302]

John, yes, same car that I dragged, A previous owner fitted the big tank before I got the car in '77. The filler was in the same location. later on I put in a 300/327 so it went the full circle, nearly.

[John McKechnie]

Bruce, wonder if it survived to modern times and has a nice warm dry garage to rest, lick its wounds and recover.BTW ,what times were you doing and what class? Also looking at thread on NZ Allcomers, there is a R Tanner racing a green Consul, is this the same one that raced your Firebird

[Bruce302]

John,
Not sure if it is the same Robin Tanner in the Consul, I know he dabbled in the hot rod/drag scene and some dirt track activity out Puke way earlier on. My old Monaro managed some mid 13's at 110 mph, not too bad as I drove it all week and it probably still had the spare in it. It must have weighed over 4000 lbs. It was only DYO/match races.

[John McKechnie]

Thats a very good time for a road car Bruce, and I suppose that you were carrying a full 25 gallon tank-50 cents a gallon then.The Kawasaki 500 Mach 3 , which was very light would do 12.2 The GTHO was about 14 secs.Does anybody remember what time Dennis Marwood did with his Camaro at the drags in the early 70s at Wiri.

[Linz]

Hey John, some very good information here. so out of the 22 Bathurst monaro's 81837 imported to NZ by GMH I wonder how many are still on the road. how many private imports do you think there would be?

[John McKechnie]

Linz- you will find that of the ones that GM imported, definitely more came here.
People often viewed the auto as not a true Bathurst., but the correct numbers dont lie
I know of some that have gone back there because Kiwis dont want /cant match the Aussie money
You are sooooooooooooooooo lucky your firewall number shows it was a GMH import , with all the details, you have the tags and matching numbers.
On trade me the is a E49 Charger for $145,000, so you have made a very sensible purchase.

[darren]

Saw Bob Janes HQ Monaro at the Muscle Car Masters today. Beautiful looking car and a credit to the Wall family for it's restoration. Simply awesome car. I'm hoping Pete Geoghegans Monaro will surface again.

[Linz]

I know I am lucky that all the numbers all match, you have made my weekend with that information. I will have to get a copy of the import history from you so I can keep it with the car.
I am working every second weekend to pay for that car so it is worth while now.

[John McKechnie]

Linz- send me a pm with your email address and I will send you what your heart desires.
Now, please tell the story of your Bathurst HK that you had to sell to get your house.
I know viewers out there who would think working every second weekend is a small inconvenience to own what you have.

[Linz]

John- I bought the HK 327 Bathurst Monaro from a farmer just out of Queenstown, it was complete with WOF but was very rough condition. The good points were it had the original engine and original ownership papers and the best thing was the firewall number was on the ownership papers so all the numbers lined up. I started to strip it down and there was so much bog in it it covered the whole garage in bog dust. One of the previous owners told me he spun up on a gravel road and went down a bank and stuffed one side of the car , But the insurance fixed it. But with a bit of work and money I could have finished it.
After a relationship split up and me deciding to keep the house I could not afford both so ended up selling my Monaro.

It was a sad day when the Monaro left my garage, But you have to live somewhere.
I have not seen the car since and the rego number does not come up on Carjam so hopefully it is in someones garage somewhere.

[John McKechnie]

Lin- got any pics to put up mate ?
If you combine the views on this and my Team Cambridge Monaro site, that is a combined total of almost 40,000.
That shows how powerful the Monaro name is and the interest they still generate.
Have sent that page to you, just for you., have a glass of champagne on me and enjoy your weekend off.
The boss of Rare Spares bought one , then sold to a panelbeater. He had it for quite a few years then sold it to Aussies. Was on Ebay some 8 years or so ago- AUS $35K Was blue/blue

[Linz]

2101721018John- Thanks for sending the GMH import history of my Monaro. you are right there are 2 R/T E49 Chargers $140K and 160K asking price on Trade Me. That's a lot of gold, They do look good though. I looked at a HT 350 Auto monaro 81837, at a Yard in Ch Ch , Looked like it needed a bit of tiding up, asking price was $60K, It was not advertised for long, Does anyone know if it sold? or maby it was for sale on behalf of. I will try and find some pictures of the 327 HK I owned. It was back in 1991.
Here is a picture of the HT 350 Auto from CHCH

[John McKechnie]

Linz- can I ask for do do a small favour- can you please tell me the measurements from side and bottom of boot lid for the holes to secure the MONARO badge

[Linz]

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John- There are 3 pins The side measurements first 140mm 228mm 292mm.
From the bottom of boot lid up starting on the left hand pin 86mm 79mm 79mm

hope this helps
Linz

[John McKechnie]

Linz- thanks for that. The Cambridge Monaro had it in that place.

[Linz]

John- hopefully you can find some more race history.
Check out my Monaro fuel tank it has a big patch cut out of it.
I am guessing something was fitted there to speed up the rufueling when racing.
It takes ages to full that tank at the petrol station and also cost a lot of money.

2102521026

[John McKechnie]

Linz- On the face of it, I would say that the tank had an accident or rust and this was a cut out to facilitate the repair.

[Aron Peters]

I'm looking to connect with a Forum member - Leo D - regarding some images and an article I'm currently writing. If anyone cane help - or Leo D can contact me directly - I would very much appreciate it.

[Steve Holmes]

Have you had any joy with this yet Aron? I will have his email address if you don't yet have it. Just let me know.

[Aron Peters]

Hi Steve. No I haven't had any joy contacting Leo D as yet. I would be very grateful if you could put me in touch.

[Steve Holmes]

Email me at: theroaringseason@gmail.com I will send you his email address

[Steve Holmes]

John Harvey kindly sent me this photo recently, as he knew how much I love HQ Monaro's. In fact, this is the car that got me hooked on this model! This is John, hustling Bob Jane's HQ Monaro at Oran Park. The Monaro is pictured still in its 1972 Improved Production guise. A very cool car!

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[Aron Peters]

Great photo Steve! One of my all time favorite racing Holdens, particularly in its orignal Improved Production form - just awesome! I got to see it race in this guise as a seven year old at Warwick Farm - and have loved it ever since!

[Steve Holmes]

James, do you prefer these Monaro's with or without the 3-piece rear spoiler, as this car ran in its Sports Sedan guise?

[Aron Peters]

Steve, This car always looked brilliant - apart form when it was yellow. But I do prefer the Jane HQ without the 3-piece rear spoiler. I looks so clean and so tough in it's original form.

23698

[John McKechnie]

*So how about a thread dedicated to 1st and 2nd gen Holden Monaros, from HK - HZ in 2 and 4 door form. There were several raced in speedway in Australia and New Zealand, plus in production car racing including Bathurst. From there they competed in Improved Production in Aus, and Sports Sedans on both sides of the Tasman *

This is Steve Holmes opening line on this thread, and we now have another racing 1st generation Monaro.
I have been in contact with the owner and he has asked if I could post this and see what peoples memory is, add photos and fill in more details
Hi John I am wondering with your vast knowledge of these monaros if you might be able to shed some light I have a 81837 HT verdoro green manual monaro I was told it was a racecar for many years I belive it was owned by a chap called Richard Tulloch (not related to Inky I have asked him) Thanks for doing a great job great to see someone sharing their information.
---End Quote---
Hi John
I have found a little more info my HT Monaro came from Arrowtown and was raced down there somewhere (south island) apparently there was a log book when it was sold but was missing when I got it it had lap times at various tracks and engine mods information The car was purchased from Arrowtown about 16 years ago by Rare Spares I don't know how to put on the forum for general discussion but I think someone might remember it from rare spares it sounds like there were a few people that helped maintain it.
Thanks John.
---End Quote---
Hi, If you want I can post all relevent details on a Monaro/ ex race car thread to get talk going?
regards,
John.
---End Quote---
Hi John
That would be great if you would. The guy,s at Rare spares CHCH remember it had the engine out and boxes of bits everywhere I am not sure of the colour it was when raced as I found parts that were (tomato soup red colour) and part of the colour (boot was yellow) and original colour is vedoro green any info would be fantastic Thanks John
***************

[Steve Holmes]

Sounds interesting John. Got any more info? I assume it was a production race car?

[Steve Holmes]

Steve, This car always looked brilliant - apart form when it was yellow. But I do prefer the Jane HQ without the 3-piece rear spoiler. I looks so clean and so tough in it's original form.

23698

Wow, I love this photo! Got any more? Yes, I agree re the yellow. It wasn't a good look on this car, even though I like yellow race cars.

[Aron Peters]

I do have one more of the mighty HQ at Oran Park.

23804

I believe the first image I posted is around the back of the old Surfers Paradise circuit, which would be the debut of the car. It's clearly John Harvey driving, but the autograph is Bob Jane.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks James, that is cool!

[rt6pack]

Just stumbled on this photo in Shell book, Tasman Series, NZ Motor Racing 1971. Norm Beechy working on the carburetors, so what happened to the webers?

[rt6pack]

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt244/rt6pac/beechy_zps4820f0a7.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rt6pac/media/beechy_zps4820f0a7.jpg.html)

[Steve Holmes]

Brilliant photo. But what car is that? Surely not Beecheys HT, as he ran quad-Webers on that, unless he switched to this set-up later in the cars career? Maybe its his HK?

[rt6pack]

The caption for that pic reads "Carburettor adjustments occupied Norm Beechey and helper before the Monaro's Pukekohe win" I don't know what Monaro he had at Puke in 1971? but I have only seen the one in Bowden collection (HT) with the Weber setup so I was surprised by this pic

[Steve Holmes]

Ahh, OK, thanks for that. Beechey ran his 1970 ATCC winning HT (the one in the Bowden collection) at the New Zealand Grand Prix meeting at Puekkohe in January 1971, as a special guest. This must have been the set-up he ran on the car in 1971 (and maybe 1972 as well). The Bowdens restored the car to its 1970 ATCC winning guise, hence the quad-Webers.

[Spgeti]

The dual quad crossram set up is straight out of Chevies parts bin and this was run on the Camaros 1967,68,69 but not for 1970 where a single 4 barrel was only allowed.

[Ellis]

350 setup when in Tassie

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/Beecchey350Carbs_zpsd613b8b7.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/Beecchey350Carbs_zpsd613b8b7.jpg.html)

[John McKechnie]

Ellis- is this pics the wrong way round- the cut out for the bonnet hold down finger is always on the passenger side. Also the fluid cylinders are not on the right hand side. Could this negative have been reversed?

[Kiwiboss]

This could be the special missing one of one factory made "Left hand Drive" Monaro John!!

[John McKechnie]

Yep, Dale, could have been off to Greece with the other LHD European models.

[Aron Peters]

This is the Weber set up as it is on the Beechey HT now - after the Bowden restoration. I've never seen an image of anything other than with the Webers - so that dual carb set-up is pretty cool and new to me. I'm told the 58mm Webers and the Moon cross-over manifold were fitted to the HK, and retained when the HK was sold. They were then fitted to the 350 in the HT for 1970.

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[Aron Peters]

The 350 pumped out some pretty handy power as well - I'm assuming that is tyre smoke?

24179

[Ellis]

Ellis- is this pics the wrong way round- the cut out for the bonnet hold down finger is always on the passenger side. Also the fluid cylinders are not on the right hand side. Could this negative have been reversed?

Probably
I scanned it from a slide and it could have been rsup..
This even looks better to my Ford trained eye
Thanks John


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/Beecchey350Carbs_zpsd613b8b7jpg_zpsf322d2b2.jpeg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/Beecchey350Carbs_zpsd613b8b7jpg_zpsf322d2b2.jpeg.html)

[Mark Fiddyment]

I have 2 good articles on Norms HT Monaro one shows that the team grafted Lucas mechanical injection onto the moon manifold in place of the webers and in one it mentions the fuel tank divided into a left and right section for weight placement and even converting from right to left hand drive to suit certain circuits. I will post the page scans but if anyone wants a pdf copy just message me your email address. Mark24226242272422824229

[Mark Fiddyment]

2423024231242322423324234

[Aron Peters]

Mark, I would love to read those articles. Could you please email the PDF files to me at jmeale@graf-x.com.au?

[John McKechnie]

Mark- would also love to read these to compare the build of the two Monaros.- j.mckechnie@slingshot.co.nz

[Rod Grimwood]

Me to Mark- grimmie64@xtra.co.nz

Thanks

[John McKechnie]

Mark- got mine, great reading. This really is a story of the Lone Aussie Battler against the best American machinery.Absolutely recommend to get a true feel of that period. Thanks for your generosity.

[Mark Fiddyment]

Mark- got mine, great reading. This really is a story of the Lone Aussie Battler against the best American machinery.Absolutely recommend to get a true feel of that period. Thanks for your generosity.

No worries John. Only too happy to share with any enthusiast. I hope the others got theirs ok

[Mark Fiddyment]

Mark- got mine, great reading. This really is a story of the Lone Aussie Battler against the best American machinery.Absolutely recommend to get a true feel of that period. Thanks for your generosity.

No worries John. Only too happy to share with any enthusiast. I hope the others got theirs ok

[225sloper]

Would love to know were this car went. . . In the early to mid 70s (i was 10 in 1975) my neighbour owned this car.I would stare at it over the fence and when i heard it start would rush outside to watch.He became a member of the Wanganui Car Club and would do hill climbs in the Monaro,sometimes on gravel.He would take me and my brother with him a few times towing the Monaro in his J Bedford truck.He would race againts Minis,Escorts,Cortinas and Zephrys,one time we went to a gravel hillclimb and there was a brand new orange HQ Monaro there i remember him saying he would like to own it.One day a HK Holden Sedan arrived on a trailer and he made a speedway saloon car using the 350 out of the Monaro he raced this for about a season at Wanganui Ocean Veiw Speedway before having a big crash there.The car was repaired and he raced a couple more times before returning the engine back to the Monaro.One day he left and when he returned he had a Rover 3500,and i never saw the car again. . . this photo was taken by my brother at the Okoia hillclimb just out of Wanganui it was a cold showery day and also Brent Bullivant was there in his Capri the only time i saw this car and as a kid i remember the noise awesume.A blue bigblock T-Bucket was there to and ended the day with a crash half way up the hill. .. . . would love to know where and what happened to this car.24266

[John McKechnie]

Its an HG Bathurst Monaro. Only this model had the stickers, not the badges. Not many came here, and I dont have import records from GH Trentham on this model.

[225sloper]

It was a metallic green as you can see which must be rare colour for the Monaro as i have only seen a couple the same in magazines.The neighbour also flared the rear guards himself.

[John McKechnie]

A possibility- when there was the Taihu murder at Turangi all those years ago , his Monaro was there with the engine out , and it was an HG. The 350 motor apparently is in a Jag The Monaro got stolen and was found stripped. If any one can find a pic of this car at the workshop and see its plate we, may, have identified it. HG 350 Monaros were rare.
Just a possibility.

[librules]

A possibility- when there was the Taihu murder at Turangi all those years ago , his Monaro was there with the engine out , and it was an HG. The 350 motor apparently is in a Jag The Monaro got stolen and was found stripped. If any one can find a pic of this car at the workshop and see its plate we, may, have identified it. HG 350 Monaros were rare.
Just a possibility.

That Monaro was covered in detail in the Oct/Nov 2013 issue of NZ Classic Driver. The rego can't be seen but there is no mention of body mods of that type during its life. An interesting car, originally bought by a Kiwi working in the mines in WA.

[Aron Peters]

Thank you for the PDF articles on the Beechey Monaro Mark, really good reading. Here is Beechey in the HK at a non championship meeting at Calder in mid 1969. The combo defeated the Moffat Trans-Am on the day. 24396

[Lindsay G]

Its not a race car, just something I'm nearly finished after more than 20 years But when I bought it the guy I bought it off also had a rolling shell he had bought.It was HK-HG ,full on racing body with the flared guards like the OSCAs ,glass doors and was yellow on top and orange on the bottom.I had never seen it race so maybe it had been a speedway car but it looked to me like a circuit car.Unfortunately he wound up cutting the whole thing up.24451

[Steve Holmes]

Thats interesting Lindsay. You'd think if it was a speedway car it wouldn't have had the flares, as most speedway saloons have the wheel openings radiused out further for the bigger wheels. But thats not always the case.

I wonder if it could have been the Ron Sylvester Monaro? That seemed to have appeared, then disappeared again just as quickly.

24616

[Lindsay G]

Good point about the flares I hadn't thought of that and would they allow glass doors in speedway?Anyway I managed to get the doors at the time and got a photo of them today to show the colours. Note also that they were purple at one time.The only other clues I can offer is that this was in the early 90s,maybe 92-93 and I bought it from a guy in Kaiapoi.2462924630

[John McKechnie]

Make a suggestion- could be Sylvester Monaro. They did two, one for the circuit,other for Speedway. Try Grant at Sylvester Spares-he could help.

[Jac Mac]

Make a suggestion- could be Sylvester Monaro. They did two, one for the circuit,other for Speedway. Try Grant at Sylvester Spares-he could help.
Don't recall a speedway car, thought it was one drag racer & one circuit racer, Neil Stuart might know, anyone have contact with him? IIRC it was a darker purple or even dark blue along with green & white colours on those SPCS Monaro's.

[Russ Noble]

Don't recall a speedway car, thought it was one drag racer & one circuit racer, Neil Stuart might know, anyone have contact with him? IIRC it was a darker purple or even dark blue along with green & white colours on those SPCS Monaro's.

The second Monaro was sold by Silvester to a guy surname George whose first name escapes me right now.

I think it was sold as a shell or rolling shell and I did some work on the rear suspension for him. He was building it up as a circuit car, I'm not sure if he ever raced it. Previous to that he had raced a standard road going Lancia Beta at club level.

He was a guy from Chch who was initially a builder, then had a joinery business, then bought a dyno and set up a tuning business in Bromley. Last I heard he was driving a taxi but probably well retired now. None of his ventures seem to last long and maybe his ownership of the Monaro was another passing phase. I don't know if he ever completed it. I'm sure someone will remember it if it ever appeared at Ruapuna. As I recall it was still painted in the SPCS colours. The purple in the photo would be about right for the SPCS colours. I can't remember exactly when I was involved with it but maybe around 1975ish

Edit: Just remembered, his name was Roger George. Took a wee while for all the brain cells to connect up. Again!

[rt6pack]

I can't see this HK mentioned on this thread, wonder where it ended up?
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt244/rt6pac/20120718110847_00052_zpsf36f0004.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rt6pac/media/20120718110847_00052_zpsf36f0004.jpg.html)

This photo is Jim Palmer from Nelson? at Ruapuna, I believe the car went to Ron Rutherford who did a few races before using it in the Heatway Rally (not sure what year)

[John McKechnie]

For those who are keen on a project, may I suggest-
http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/car-advert/holden/monaro/1968/227514/
he car is imported during seventies from Australia, but communists confiscated it and the first owner went back to Australia without his Monaro. Ex Yugoslavian state agency sold it on public auction, but the new owner could't use it because it is left hand traffic. He abandoned it in his village where I finally found it a year ago. The car is a good option for restoration project. The floor is problematic because it has some holes and rust but it is easiest to fix. All rare parts are saved. The machine is stuck and I didn't try to start it because I didn't want to produce some damage. I contacted the Holdens' register in London and they told me that it is probably the only Holden in whole Europe except UK. This Monaro needs a good restoration and I am not able to do it in Serbia, because meantime I moved to live in Florence (Italy). Finally, I decided to sell it. The car has all documents, so it can be exported. Buyer pays shipping costs. I am ready to hear your offers. The price is negotiable.

Its a three on the tree, and I love the wording about rust in the floor is problematic........

[John McKechnie]

#205- Jim Palmer from Hamilton,was sponsored by Blackwoods motors Christchurch to bring this Monaro down to the Rothmans Production Saloon Car race at Ruapuna in April 20 1969.This was the one where Brent Hawes had his tragic accident. Jim Palmer won the race, Ron Rutherford in a Mustang-looking very Shelby also was there, he got second.
Is the Cortina behind Palmer the one of Gerald Hrgraves that he rolled during this race?
Yellow HK Monaros raced in productions at this time were- Jim Palmer, Brian Scobie, Charles MacIndoe.Will check to see if these are all the same car

[Oldfart]

2479024791Hopefully! Some photos I took with the first transparency camera I got.

[Aron Peters]

Some time back I was chasing information on Norm Beechey's HK Monaro for an article I was writing. Thanks to the assistance of quite a few people I managed to 'almost' put it to bed, the final chapter of where the car is today is unfinished. A very short edited version of my article was recently published in Australian Muscle Car magazine Issue 74. Thank you to everyone that took the time to help me out with information, pics and contacts. Lastly, if anyone does have a clue on where this mighty Monaro is right now - I'd love to hear from you.
25525

[Mark Fiddyment]

Some time back I was chasing information on Norm Beechey's HK Monaro for an article I was writing. Thanks to the assistance of quite a few people I managed to 'almost' put it to bed, the final chapter of where the car is today is unfinished. A very short edited version of my article was recently published in Australian Muscle Car magazine Issue 74. Thank you to everyone that took the time to help me out with information, pics and contacts. Lastly, if anyone does have a clue on where this mighty Monaro is right now - I'd love to hear from you.
25525

I was reading a story on this car on a forum that said it was in a paddock on a property in WA and had been retrieved for restoration and had changed hands a couple of times and was now in Melbourne with the restoration ready to start.
If I can find the article again I will post a link on here.

[Mark Fiddyment]

Found this on Facebook but still haven't found the site where I read about it being brought to Melbourne. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=427351090645842&set=o.362901237075769&type=3&theater

[Jac Mac]

#205- Jim Palmer from Hamilton,was sponsored by Blackwoods motors Christchurch to bring this Monaro down to the Rothmans Production Saloon Car race at Ruapuna in April 20 1969.This was the one where Brent Hawes had his tragic accident. Jim Palmer won the race, Ron Rutherford in a Mustang-looking very Shelby also was there, he got second.
Is the Cortina behind Palmer the one of Gerald Hrgraves that he rolled during this race?
Yellow HK Monaros raced in productions at this time were- Jim Palmer, Brian Scobie, Charles MacIndoe.Will check to see if these are all the same car

According to this page the Cortina is Ross Hore from Nelson/Blenheim..
http://mcc.museums.org.nz/1969_Ruapuna_in_Apr.htm

[Steve Holmes]

This Monaro popped up on facebook and Trademe recently. Has no body tags and has been in storage since 1981. Looks like a really clean car. The owner seems to think its an old circuit racer, but doesn't look familiar to me. Looks more like a '70s street machine.

Anyone recognize the car? Its located in Auckland.

43694

43695

The guy is parting it out. The shell would be great for a historic race car as it can't be put back on the road. Trademe auction here: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/holden/other/auction-1324988239.htm

[John McKechnie]

Steve- saw it 3 years ago. You are correct- Not an ex circuit racer, no sign of any holes from a cage at all. A 70s street machine with no tags.....at all However I can recommend the body.

[BMCBOY]

Does this car ring any bells for people? Photo taken at Pukekohe GT100 race 1975

43696

[John McKechnie]

Milan may have a program for tie event showing this car

[Milan Fistonic]

There was a number 32 Holden Monaro GTS driven by Bill MacPherson from Mirimar entered in the Rod Coppins 300 at Pukekohe on June 22, 1975

[Steve Holmes]

Found this on facebook today. Neat photo of Ron Silvester's Monaro.

David Batchelor photo.

46936

[Steve Holmes]

I think this may be the first colour photo I have seen of this car.

Ron McPhail photo.

46966

[Go Slideways]

I've been a fan all my life. Two particular cars were a big influence on me at a young age;

1. The Night Riders stolen black HQ Monaro in Mad Max 1, which exited the movie in a ball of flames.
2. The ex-Jim Richards Jerry Clayton owned HQ Monaro that was raced out of Waikaraka Park speedway, and eventually ended up at my local speedway in Palmerston North, owned by Bill Dorn, and painted up like an American flag. With tall injector stacks bursting through the hood and open exhausts, it was a real weapon.

So how about a thread dedicated to 1st and 2nd gen Holden Monaros, from HK - HZ in 2 and 4 door form. There were several raced in speedway in Australia and New Zealand, plus in production car racing including Bathurst. From there they competed in Improved Production in Aus, and Sports Sedans on both sides of the Tasman

Today, there are several that race in Australia in both historic racing and the Touring Car Masters series.


Here is a rare photo of the famous Richards, Easton, Dorn Monaro when it finally ended up as a Streetstock in Palmerston North.

https://s1.postimg.org/107lhxc1an/Jac_Jac_Monaro_Streety.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

[Steve Holmes]

Here is a rare photo of the famous Richards, Easton, Dorn Monaro when it finally ended up as a Streetstock in Palmerston North.

https://s1.postimg.org/107lhxc1an/Jac_Jac_Monaro_Streety.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Wow, its awesome to see a photo of this car. I recall being at one of the very first meetings where Palmy first introduced streetstocks, and seeing this car racing. I was a bit shocked, that someone would turn a Monaro into a streetstock. A buddy of mine at the time, Darren James, then noticed it was left hand drive and had the alloy interior paneling, meaning it was likely an old saloon racer.

Even still, a sad demise to a hugely significant race car.

[Go Slideways]

Yes it's a shame that this one didn't survive, as well as a number of the very very cool Saloons, I don't know of very many that actually did from the 70's and 80's.

I know of a chap who would pay whatever was required to obtain any one of Jumbo Berryman's Saloon cars in any condition if anybody on here knows of one.

In the mean time here's a couple more pictures to farewell the famous Monaro, at least it gave a huge number of people a great deal of joy during it's life time.

https://s1.postimg.org/4qaajzrb8f/Monaro_9.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://s1.postimg.org/9iitxm9hzz/Monaro_stars.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://s1.postimg.org/1hb6nc7ohr/Monaro_99.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Ian Easton

https://s1.postimg.org/3qhfsn9h5r/EPSON012.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Ian Easton

https://s1.postimg.org/9n5zznrpun/Jac_National_Monaro.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Bill Dorn

https://s1.postimg.org/2nhqhrisgv/2eyyl5f_1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

[Go Slideways]

Bill Dorn

https://s1.postimg.org/5sx8gpehof/2zgymww_1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)


Bill Dorn

https://s1.postimg.org/8npwmhur0v/Dorn.jpg (https://postimages.org/)


Jim Richards

https://s1.postimg.org/1yogxqtjq7/Jim_Richards.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

[Steve Holmes]

Such a cool car ^^. I remember back in the 1980s in Palmerston North riding my BMX bike when I was about 14 years old and going around the back of a car wrecking yard owned by Darryl Lucas. There was a stack of cars piled up on top of which was an ex-speedway HQ Monaro coupe. It was painted a cream colour from memory, with #13 on the door.

When I first saw the black Monaro pictured above racing in the new streetstock division, I assumed for years it was the cream #13 I saw in the wreckers. It was many years later I finally discovered it was the ex-Richards etc car pictured above.

Makes me wonder what the history of the cream #13 was. I'm pretty sure Gary McKelvie raced an HQ Monaro coupe at Palmy in the saloon division in the '70s. Maybe it was that car.