A stunningly original, unmolested 1969 HT ‘Bathurst’ Monaro GTS 350 coupe with just 71,000 miles on its odometer is one of the highlights of Shannons’ up-coming Melbourne Winter Classic Auction on Monday June 2.
Still finished in its original Platinum Silver paintwork with pristine red trim, the flagship model Monaro is totally unmodified and retains its original period Holden accessories, original GM-H Owner’s Manual and Guardian Maintenance Service Book.
One of an estimated 700 Monaros built using Chevrolet’s legendary small-block 300HP (223kW) 350-cid V8, the GTS 350 replaced the GTS 327 as Holden’s new – and last – Bathurst ‘homologation’ Monaro in 1969.
Colin Bond teamed up with Tony Roberts to score a fine win in the 1969 Mount Panorama endurance race, while Norm Beechey’s famous yellow HT 350 GTS won the inaugural national Australian Touring Car Championship the same year, enshrining the GTS 350 as one of the greatest Aussie muscle cars.
The car being auctioned by Shannons had been up on blocks and in storage for 13 years before being purchased by its current South Australian owner around 10 years ago.
It is remarkably untouched from new in every detail, down to its original (worn) Dunlop red-wall spare tyre and wheel trims and has received nothing more than routine servicing since new.
Because of its collectable value and exception original condition, Shannons expect the Monaro GTS 350 to sell for $165-$190,000.
The Monaro is one of a number of highly-desirable V8-engined Australian Muscle Cars going under the hammer in Shannons June 2 auction.
Others include a 1977 Holden LX Torana A9X sedan ($150-$170,000), a pair of 1970 Falcon XW GT sedans – one of them offered with no reserve – which are expected to sell in the $60-$90,000 range, a 1988 Holden VL Walkinshaw Group A SS sedan ($75-$95,000), a 1978 Holden HZ GTS Monaro 5.0 sedan ($30-$36,000) and a 1974 Holden HQ Monaro GTS sedan ($22-$26,000). Auction infowww.shannons.com.au