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 4.2 liter 253 V8 mated to an Aussie four
speed manual, it included luxury items such as bucket
seats, sports steering wheel and GTS instruments and was
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.
Please note: For HQ Monaro Identification prior to 1st October 1972, see the HQ Monaro gallery page. 
