The Holden Monaro was the star model in the local manufacturer’s line-up from 1967 until 1976 and received deserved send off through a special limited edition.
Giving Holden its first win at Bathurst in 1968, the original run of the Monaro was not only a sales success, but gave the marque a halo model and a sense of desirability.
By the time of the HX model Holden, the end of the line was coming from the Monaro due in part to a successful shift to the Torana in terms of its on and off track star.
Although never officially not officially badged or referred to as a Monaro, the Limited Edition or LE came about due to a low number of HJ coupe sets and Holden needing to move them on.
It took more than a year for the LE to enter the marketplace as 580 examples were built at Holden’s Pagewood plant and due to the delays experienced during the production process, it was released as an HX rather than an HJ due to a model changeover.
The LE combined the performance of the Monaro and luxury of its flagship Statesman Caprice to mix the best of both worlds, similar to how HSV replicated this formula later through the Senator and Grange offerings two decades later.
Equiped with Holden’s 308ci V8, Turbo-Hydromatic 400 automatic transmission, Salisbury limited slip diff and other Monaro options including the addition of power steering alongside power brakes.
Distinguished by its HX Premier front featuring the trademark four headlights, front and rear spoilers, burgundy base paint matched by gold pinstripes partnered by gold 14×7 poly casted honeycomb wheels rims sourced from Pontiac in the US made the LE stand out.
The interior is where the Caprice elements came in through crushed velour and cloth seats, faux walnut dash, GTS steering wheel, air conditioning, power aerial, an 8-track cartridge player and quadraphonic sound system.
It’s fair to say the LE provided a soft ending for the once hero Monaro, but these continue to be desirable just like every other Australian muscle car.