HQ (1971 to 1974)

The Holden HQ Monaro (produced between 1971 and 1974) is widely considered the peak of Australian automotive design, introducing a sophisticated, pillarless silhouette that moved away from the "coke-bottle" curves of the 60s toward a more integrated, modern aesthetic. In the 2026 Australian market, the HQ Monaro has cemented its status as a blue-chip collectible, with market values for a tidy GTS sedan starting around $60,000 to $95,000 AUD, while authentic GTS Coupes with 253 or 308 V8 engines typically command between $135,000 and $210,000 AUD. The absolute "holy grail" of the series—the HQ GTS 350 Coupe featuring the Chevrolet-sourced small-block V8—now consistently reaches between $320,000 and $480,000 AUD for investment-grade survivors, with exceptional "one-off" factory builds occasionally being offered for over $550,000 AUD. Its desirability is fueled by its status as a comfortable, usable family cruiser that still offers raw muscle performance, attracting a prestigious buyer pool of institutional investors, heritage collectors, and Gen X professionals looking to reclaim a piece of 70s luxury. Locally, liquidity is highest for vehicles retaining their original "Houndstooth" cloth interiors and high-impact 1970s "safety" colours like Lone O’Ranger, Purr Pull, or Lina Mint, as 2026 buyers prioritise cars with verifiable matching-numbers tags and original Turbo-Hydramatic or Muncie transmissions.

The Holden HQ Monaro (produced between 1971 and 1974) is widely considered the peak of Australian automotive design, introducing a sophisticated, pillarless silhouette that moved away from the "coke-bottle" curves of the 60s toward a more integrated, modern aesthetic. In the 2026 Australian market, the HQ Monaro has cemented its status as a blue-chip collectible, with market values for a tidy GTS sedan starting around $60,000 to $95,000 AUD, while authentic GTS Coupes with 253 or 308 V8 engines … Read more