Australian Muscle Pulls Its Weight Among American Breeds

Muscle comes in many different forms, but it’s not always of the American variety. In fact, some down right amazing muscle cars come from the Land Down Under, like this 1971 Holden MQ Monaro GTS recently shared with the Houston Chronicle. The car may never have had its day on American soil but it certainly deserves a day in the spotlight here on Street Legal!

In the Australian Mad Max film, shot in 1979, the Nightrider character drives a ’72 Holden HQ Monaro LS. Sound like any classic American films featuring hot muscle cars?

Shared as a “Reader’s Ride,” with Houston Chronicle Correspondent, Heidi Van Horne, this ’71 Holden Monaro GTS is owned by Adelaide, Australia resident Paul Dansie.

While only offered in Australia, the Holden HQ Monaro model is moderately familiar in design thanks to Holden’s tie to one of the beloved Big Three here in the U.S.- General Motors. Though introduced to the market in 1968, the Monaro didn’t reach the form you see here until its revamp in July of 1971, when the HQ series and GTS model were released. The HQ series, or generation, was produced through 1974.

Interestingly enough, the HQ Monaro GTS featured a European-style grille, much like the one found on the Opel, but it’s rear end was all American, with the inset lights and back bumper coming straight from the Pontiac GTO. No matter what its influences, however, it’s just a matter of revisiting his childhood for Dansie.

As it turns out, Dansie owned an HQ Monaro just out of school, which caused him to jump at the opportunity of buying this one five years ago.

Since then, the car has been completely rebuilt, from body and paint to a turbocharged Chevy 350 engine complete with Vic Jr. manifold, Edelbrock heads and a Holley 600cfm carburetor. It also features disc brakes and Centerline tires on all four corners, as well as more modern power steering.

A truly unique ride, especially from the American muscle standpoint, Dansie’s HQ Monaro is quite the site to see. But it’s not his only muscle car, we hear. According to the Houston Chronicle, Dansie also has a Chevy 350-equipped ’71 Dodge Phoenix, an Australian version of America’s Plymouth Fury. And if Dansie has it his way, there will soon be a ’70 Dodge Challenger convertible in his garage as well! We wish him happy hunting!