A Matching-Numbers HQ Monaro GTS 350 Heads to Auction in Perth

Every so often a car surfaces at auction that isn’t just collectible—it’s consequential. This 1971 Holden HQ Monaro GTS 350, finished in shimmering Estoril Bronze and offered in the upcoming Perth Muscle Car Auction, is exactly that sort of headline act.

Matching numbers, only its second owner in 54 years, documented history, verified factory books, and a cameo as Holden’s own promotional vehicle for the 2001 V2 Monaro launch—this HQ GTS is the kind of car that makes even seasoned Holden tragics sit up straighter.

Below, we dig into why the HQ GTS 350 holds such sway in Australia’s muscle-car culture, and what makes this particular example one of the more collectible Monaros to hit the public market in recent years.

Why the HQ Monaro GTS 350 Is a Collectible Heavyweight

When Holden released the HQ series in 1971, it reset the template for Aussie muscle. Wider, tougher, and more modern than its HT/HG predecessors, the HQ platform delivered real presence—and the GTS 350 sat at the top of the food chain.

Under the bonnet lived Chevrolet’s 350ci V8, a pushrod powerhouse that made the GTS the most potent Monaro of its era. Paired with local engineering polish, the HQ became a cult figure. According to Australian muscle-car sales trends (as reported across major auction houses), HQ GTS 350 values have climbed steadily for over a decade, with matching-numbers, documented-history cars now seen as blue-chip holdings—comfortably sitting alongside XY Falcon GTs in the top tier of homegrown collectibles.

Collectors prize the HQ for two reasons:
1. Rarity. Genuine, unmodified GTS 350s are thin on the ground, and matching-number survivors are rarer still.
2. Cultural weight. This is the poster child of early-’70s Australian performance—widely considered one of Holden’s peak-era designs.

And this example? It clears every bar and then some.

What Makes This HQ GTS 350 Special

The auction Monaro comes with a pedigree few cars can claim:

Holden’s Own Launch Star

As confirmed in the seller description and asset report, Holden selected this very HQ GTS 350 to help unveil the 2001 V2 Monaro, using it as a heritage reference vehicle. Only top-tier examples were chosen, and this one’s involvement is verified by a certificate signed by senior product manager Andrew Frood.

Matching Numbers & Two Owners in 54 Years

Matching-numbers status alone pushes a car into the “serious collector” category. Pair that with long-term ownership (just two custodians since 1971), and the result is exceptional provenance.

Well-Preserved, Documented & Mechanically Refreshed

The HQ received a full respray (“its birthday”) about six years ago, and its original 350ci engine—still running the Rochester carburettor—was cleaned and refreshed around the same time.

The books include the original owner’s manual and warranty certificate, along with period service stamps from North Pine Motors in Queensland, a rarity in itself.

Condition Report: Excellent Across the Board

Slattery Auctions condition report reinforces the car’s appeal:

• Body condition: Excellent

• Paint: Good

• Rust: Nil

• Interior & trim: Good to excellent

• Tyres: All rated good (5–8mm)

• Drivable: Yes

By all reports, this is as clean and straight as classic Monaros come—an important factor in a market where originality, documentation, and presentation can shift end values dramatically. Noting beats a personal inspection, and it’s a must with an investment like this.

Auction Details: Perth’s Headline Muscle Car Lot

This GTS 350 is being offered through Slattery Auction’s Perth Muscle Car Auction:

• Location: 96 Poole Street, Welshpool, WA

• Auction Opens: 11:00 AM (IT), 21 November 2025

• Auction Ends: 11:00 AM (IT), 26 November 2025

• GST: Not applicable (GST included in sale price)

• Contact: Lachy Spotswood – 0456 456 028

• Registration: Will only transfer to WA licence holders; interstate buyers receive the car unregistered.

Given the model’s desirability and this car’s high provenance, expect strong bidding—HQ GTS 350s with this level of originality typically headline auctions, and the added Holden promotional history gives this example an edge few others can match.

Our Take

If the HQ GTS 350 is one of the pillars of Australian muscle-car collecting, then this particular car is the sort that belongs in a curated garage, a marque museum, or the hands of a collector who truly understands its place in the Holden story.

Matching numbers. Long-term ownership. Verified factory documentation. A starring role in Holden’s own model relaunch. Excellent mechanical and cosmetic presentation. For muscle-car enthusiasts, it’s a checklist that rarely appears in one package.

Put simply: this HQ Monaro isn’t just a collectible. It’s a reference piece.

And that makes it one of the most compelling Australian auction listings of 2025.