| Holden HQ | |
|---|---|
.JPG) 1974 Holden Monaro GTS Sedan | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Holden (General Motors) |
| Also called |
|
| Production | July 1971 – October 1974 |
| Assembly | Adelaide, South Australia (Elizabeth) Melbourne, Victoria (Dandenong) Sydney, New South Wales (Pagewood) Wellington, New Zealand (Trenham) |
| Designer | Phillip Zmood |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-doorsedan 5-doorwagon 2-doorcoupé 2-doorcoupé utility 2-doorpanel van 2-doorcab chassis |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | Holden HQ platform |
| Related | Holden Belmont Holden Kingswood Holden Premier Statesman HQ Holden One Tonner Holden SS Holden Sandman |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.8LGMH '173'I6 3.3LGMH '202' I6 4.1LGMH '253'V8 5.0LGMH '308' V8 5.7L'Chevrolet 350' V8 |
| Transmission | 3-speedGMH manual Aussie 4-speed 3-speed "Tri-Matic" automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 111 in (2,800 mm) 114 in (2,900 mm) (wagon) |
| Length | 187.5 in (4,760 mm) 190 in (4,800 mm) (wagon) |
| Width | 74.0 in (1,880 mm) 73.9 in (1,880 mm) (wagon) |
| Height | 54.0 in (1,370 mm) 54.8 in (1,390 mm) (wagons) 53.1 in (1,350 mm) (Monaro) |
| Curb weight | 2,950 lb (1,340 kg) (Kingswood sedan) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Holden HG |
| Successor | Holden HJ |
TheHolden HQ series is a range ofautomobiles that was produced byHolden in Australia from 1971 to 1974. The HQ was released on 15 July 1971, replacing theHolden HG series.[1] It was the first ground-up redesign of the Holden line since its original release in 1948,[2] and included an all-new body, chassis, and suspension.[1] The HQ was later developed into a series of successor models, finally ending production when theWB series was discontinued in 1985.
The mainstream HQ passenger car range consisted of four-doorsedan and five-doorstation wagon models in three trim levels.[1]
The long wheelbase luxury model, "Statesman by GMH" consisted of one body style (four-door sedan) and was available in two trim levels.
AHolden SS sedan was released in August 1972.[2] Although marketed as a separate model in reality it was a Belmont V8 sedan fitted with the XV2 option package.[3][4]
The Monaro range initially consisted only of two-doorcoupes.[5]
Two four-door sedan variants of the Monaro GTS were released in March 1973[2] and similarly to the SS the new sports sedans were a special vehicle package optioned on a lesser model, in this case on a V8 Kingswood sedan. Option XV4 was the HQ GTS sedan. Option XW8 was the HQ GTS350 sedan.
The commercial vehicle range includedcoupe utility,panel van andcab chassis truck models.
The One Tonner, which was new for the HQ series, was acab chassis truck.[2] A Sandman option, which was offered on utility and panel van models from January 1974,[6] included various "sports" items from the Monaro GTS.[4]
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The two inline six cylinder engines from the HG range were carried over to the HQ, but were enlarged[2] to 173 cu in (2.8 L) and 202 cu in (3.3 L).[7] The 253 cu in (4.1 L) - marketed later as 4.2 liters, 308 cu in (5.0 L) (Holden V8 engines) and 350 cu in (5.7 L) (Chevrolet small-block engine)V8's were also carried over.[7]
| Engine | Displacement | Compression | Power | Torque | Transmission | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bhp | kW | ft·lb | N·m | ||||
| 2.83 LRedI6 | 173 cu in | Low | 112 | 84 | 160 | 220 | |
| High | 118 | 88 | 168 | 228 | |||
| 3.3 LRed I6 | 202 cu in | Low | 129 | 96 | 190 | 260 | |
| High | 135 | 101 | 194 | 263 | |||
| 4.1 LHoldenV8 | 253 cu in | Low | 174 | 130 | 247 | 335 | |
| High | 185 | 138 | 262 | 355 | |||
| 5.0 LHolden V8 | 308 cu in | 240 | 180 | 315 | 427 | ||
| 5.7 LChevrolet V8 | 350 cu in | 275 | 205 | 360 | 490 |
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Production of the HQ range totalled 485,650 vehicles[6] prior to its replacement by theHolden HJ series in October 1974.[8]Holden HQ series cars were produced at GMH plants in Adelaide (Elizabeth, South Australia), Melbourne (Dandenong, Victoria), Sydney (Pagewood, New South Wales) and in Brisbane (Acacia Ridge, Queensland).
Engines, transmissions, and final drive assemblies were produced at the engine casting plant atFishermans Bend, Victoria, although 350 cu in (5.7 L) engines and its drivetrain components were fully imported from fellowGeneral Motors subsidiary,Chevrolet, in the United States.
Many local automotive component businesses in all these states across Australia supplied the main plants with many other parts, such as wiper arms, glass, carpets, electrical systems, fasteners, and the like.
HQ production in New Zealand was at GMNZ's assembly plant at Trentham,Wellington, New Zealand using some NZ production components and ran until 1975 to use up HQ parts that weren't used on the followingHolden HJ series.
The Belmont was the barebones HQ, successor to theHolden Standard, coming with a standard 173 cubic inch Inline 6 and column shift 3 speed manual, The Belmont also featured a unique, more toned down door trim design.
The Kingswood was a slightly midrange, just like theSpecial it replaced, with a more stylish interior, featuring armrests as standard, and added exterior chrome.
The Premier was the top tier of the mainstream 'Holden' Line throughout the release of the XV8 GTS350 Sedan in 1973, featuring a woodgrain styled interior, full length armrests, a standard center console with bucket seats, and many exterior style accents. The Premier's design language was also carried through to the Monaro LS coúpe.
The SS was a limited edition variant of the Belmont V8 Sedan,Option code XV8, Featured a 253 cubic inch Holden V8 as standard, with an optional 308 cubic inch V8 variant optional, mated to an Aussie 4 Speed Gearbox, and 3.36:1 Ratio 10-BoltSalisbury differential as standard, making the SS a hit among younger power hungry drivers, so much so that a Series II SS was released after the Series I run failed to meet demand, in the end, Holden had produced 2800, The SS also featured a Black Roebuck Vinyl Interior with Houndstooth or Flax-Raydo inserts, Standard arm rests, center console with floor shift, Sport Steering wheel and a full GTS dash cluster.
The GTS was a specification of the HQHolden Monaro, Based on the Kingswood, decked out with all the bells and whistles, the GTS featured its own stripe style, available in most colours, along with a choice of 253 or 308 Holden V8s, mated to either a 4 Speed Holden manual or 3 speed GM Turbo-Hydramatic 350 automatic, backed by a heavy-duty Salisbury differential, the GTS package featured a full interior with optionalhoundstooth seat inserts in standard bucket seats, sports steering wheel, center console, tachometer, dual split gauges (pictured) and more.
For the South African market, the Holden HQ sedan was marketed as theChevrolet Kommando, and the HQ utility as theChevrolet El Camino.[9] The Kommando received only the Chevrolet 4.1-litre six while the Constantia was also offered with the Holden 5.0-litre V8 coupled to an automatic transmission. The El Camino received both of these options as well as a new (to South Africa) 3.3-litre six, only in conjunction with a manual transmission.[10] The HQ One Tonner was sold as the Chevrolet El Toro.
With the introduction of the HQ model, Holden's factory supported production-car racing efforts shifted from the V8 Monaro to the smaller six-cylinderLC Torana. A few Monaro and V8 engined Kingswood cars were built for racing, most notably Malcolm Ramsey's V8 Kingswood. These HQs were never as successful as earlier model Monaros had been or the larger-budget Torana teams or the Ford Falcons and Mustangs they raced against.
From the late 1980s, the Holden HQ was used in Australia as the basis of aone-make racing category with an emphasis on cost. The category began inTasmania but very quickly expanded to every state and New Zealand to become the entry-level motor racing category nationwide. The cars are built to comply withCAMS Group 3H Technical Regulations.[11] The series is utilises the 202 ci/3300 cc size six-cylinder engine, the largest six-cylinder engine sold in the car, and is limited to four-door sedan bodied cars.
The HQ motor racing category also had an effect on spare parts inwrecking yards around Australia, with parts and body panels becoming scarce as many of the teams would 'raid' the yards for cheap spares. This led to a shortage of spares for the HQ model for anyone who owned a road-going version.
As of 2024, HQ racing events are still held regularly in every Australian state and territory, and a national event is held annually. The organising body is HQ Racing Australia.[12]
The Statesman HQ range of long wheelbase luxury sedans, based on the Holden HQ series,[13] was also released in July 1971.[14] The Statesman models replaced theHolden Brougham from the HG range[14] however they were marketed as Statesmans rather than as Holdens.[15] The Statesman HQ was offered in two models, the base "Statesman Custom" and the premium "Statesman de Ville".[15]