One-Owner Original HT Monaro: Classic Restos - Series 49

Fletch is in the Southern Highlands of NSW and discovers something quite rare - a one-owner original 1970 HT Monaro GTS purchased new in April 1970 for $2,800, the equivalent to a year's salary at the time.
Surprising, the one owner, Bruce, reveals it wasn't his first choice. He originally signed up for a 350 V8 HT in Sebring Orange with cream upholstery. But after a 6-month delay, the 253 HT GTS became available, so he took that instead, and he has never regretted it to this day.
After 52 years as the family car and workhorse for Bruce, the original 253 V8 4.2-litre engine has been rebuilt, and the upholstery refurbished after the usual signs of wear and tear. The paintwork over time has become a little thin in some areas and was touched up back in the 80s. Otherwise, it's in its original condition.
Bruce did contemplate purchasing a Valiant Pacer but stayed true to Holden. Only once did he consider trading in the HT Monaro for a new Holden SLR5000. But the dealer only offered $800, so Bruce couldn't part with it, another decision he doesn't regret. Today the 52-year-old HT has a few rattles and squeaks, but Bruce says, "that's just like him".
Only Fletch could make a story about cooling fans interesting. He talks about the importance of cooling fans and the evolution to the latest Thermatic Electric fans by Australian manufacturer Davies Craig.

[@syntekker]

Just realised this is the only KZbin show I watch where I click 'like' before I watch it. Always a good show. Thank you for each and every show you make Fletch.....

[@donaldhollums3278]

My list, for doing the same thing, is just as short. Check out the Lou Costabile and My Car Story channel. Mr. Lou never lacks for interesting content.

[@davehad-enough2369]

the stripes were a delete option - not everyone liked them. BTW - the 253 badge is too far back on the guard.

[@chisel83]

Spot on.

[@chisel83]

Who ever fitted the flag badges needs a flogging. Totally incorrect placement. HT body mouldings we’re never painted red. All Monaros and kingswoods were just plain aluminium finish except for the bootlid. The side stripes were a delete option.

[@jb7591]

great car, great video. The location of the 253 badges on the front guards seem to be misplaced.

[@ashleyflint3501]

Shannons CEO needs a good kick up the arse, I waited on the phone for 30 minutes the other day to make changes to my policy for 2 cars and was pissed off. If that CEO was doing his job right ,he would know people get agitated after 2 minutes at a Woolworths Checkout. With the Clients they have why would you have a skeleton staff answering the phone inquiries ? I have quite a few cars insured with them but maybe for not much longer with the service they offer , which is bloody terrible ,out of 10 , they would rate 2

[@ShannonsInsurance]

Hi Ashley, thank you for your patience on the phone. If you didn't want to wait on the line, you can also make these changes by emailing [e-mail], just be sure to include your full name and policy details for ID. Otherwise, if you'd like to provide any feedback, please email [e-mail] - M

[@ashleyflint3501]

@@ShannonsInsurance Well , I happen to be a guy who likes to talk to people on the other end of a phone as a conversation can lead to other Business and Ideas. I am over the crapp you hear by a computer when you ring even for an emergency , Take a listen yourself.

[@tomnewham1269]

Have you given the thought that insurance companies would be inundated with claims etc due to the floods that we have had lately and that they just cannot get to everyone in a normal timely fashion. Also I'm sure COVID restrictions are still in place which would also play a part.

[@PETERNESS]

this man really is Australias best automotive presenter,just a pleasure to listen to ,almost therapautic

[@Gav671]

He'd struggle to blow up a balloon though.

[@billmago7991]

Really nice car although they're only original once...,yeah that badge is in the wrong position

[@noelgibson5956]

This is literally my favourite Holden model ever. This is peak Holden.

[@PETERNESS]

my 1st car as a teenager was my grandads HK Brougham Noel ,i really really wanted a HT Holden Monaro ,i didnt care even if it was a 6 cylinder i just fell in love with that body style but pop surprised me with hes Brougham ,307 2 speed and i hated it but i didnt want to be ungrateful so i happily took the keys with ideas of saving up and gettin a monaro ,fast forward 15 years and i was still behind the wheel of the Brougham and the price of the monaro became way out of my reach

[@noelgibson5956]

@@PETERNESS Good story, Peter! From the driver's seat, you could sort of pretend you were in an HK Monaro with its strip Speedo! Lol. Yeah the Brougham was my least favourite variant of that generation, with proportions that were unsightly. My firsty was an HG Kingswood sedan with 186 and 3 on tree.........light green with white roof. It had a rare interior colour I've never seen on any other HG Kingswood:- bone. I preferred it over the usual reds, blues, etc. Later Holden's included an LH Torana and VK Commodore wagon..........all sixes. I've never owned an HT though, and certainly not a Monaro, but maybe in retirement...... When I was a kid, dad had FOUR Holden utes(not all at the same time):- an HR, HT, HQ and HZ. The HT was my favourite, very smooth and easy to drive and just gobbled up the miles effortlessly. I preferred it's style and dash layout. The HQ was my least favourite, and was the least reliable. I'm with you:- I'd prefer an HT Monaro six over any Brougham V8. I never did learn how to pronounce the name 'Brougham' and have never heard anyone else attempt to! Lol. They were just never that we'll known or popular.

[@PETERNESS]

@@noelgibson5956 thry were the older persons car ,your from a real Holden family

[@BillyMillion]

My dad just bought this exact same model and colour car about two weeks ago. We went for a drive in the weekend and it was an incredible experience.

[@jgsheehan8810]

Love it. Nice colour too - what name is it? Dad sold me the family HT Kingswood 186 for my first car. What a beaut thing.

[@ganatas9597]

There's an old bloke in Albury that still daily drives his HK GTS. Owned from new and 100% original.

[@Jo_Wardy]

Maybe he doesn’t want a new car because his car does every he needs. Gets him to shops etc and wherever he wants

[@ganatas9597]

@@Jo_Wardy my point exactly, that's what he does and always has done. I see him multiple times a day rollin' round town. It's a rare sight these day's. So yeah I'd say it's special

[@Jo_Wardy]

@@ganatas9597 why need to change if it does everything already

[@ganatas9597]

@@Jo_Wardy you totally missed my point. In these days of people wrapping any old Holden in silk and sitting on it, or selling it for stupid money, here's a old bloke still running his as a daily. I doubt his got 20c to his name after paying his bills. I commend it.

[@Jo_Wardy]

@@ganatas9597 so he is poor

[@nkelly.9]

It's "aitch" not "haitch"!

[@adriandehoon1785]

An R.F.S firery and a Holden man legend 👍. And Fletch the award winning presenters that knows hard work pays off when you love what you do good one MATE and your off sider Donna 😊

[@georgewinters3191]

Two classics again Fletch, the man and his Monaro 😊 . Gotta love these episodes 👍

[@royferntorp3575]

Been using and reccomending Davies Craig products for year. Some people go out and buy some eBay rubbish and they call me.

[@onwardstanley1998]

28 of apral 1970 is my 17 Birthday I have a1971xy Fairmont 302 Windsor motor with a Three SPD Auto

[@bodgiesteve8849]

I noticed you run a filter in your top radiator hose. Highly recommended for classic cars.

[@pkfilms5867]

I remember as a kid my Dad's Holden HK Kingswood (green with white roof) . One of the metal blades broke off and hit the inside of thee bonnet, left a 1cm high lump on thhe top of the bonnet.

[@308V8HZ]

My dad had a 253 in his 74 Statesman deville and it went like a rocket , I used to love giving that thing the berries .

[@GordonW27]

The V8 badge on the lh front guard is in the wrong place.

[@Jo_Wardy]

Probably didn’t need to waste his money on another new car. When this always got him from A to B and work.

[@noelgibson5956]

I would have gone through with the SLR5000 purchase, but kept the Monaro as well. It's good to have different things to play around with and enjoy. I could never go through life never trying different things....... it's a weird and un natural way to exist.

[@Jo_Wardy]

@@noelgibson5956 maybe he couldn’t afford to buy another car. Anyway who cares if you have one thing you like and stick with it. I’m guessing you just wanna have your car and keep it for the popularity it’ll gain but have fun buying and playing with everything and burning up all the other stuff

[@smiddysmidton8313]

Awesome i love this. And what a great number plate the RTA gave him for 50 years lol

[@ShannonsInsurance]

Glad you enjoyed it, Smiddy! :) -Ollie

[@ralphthomas7868]

Delicious

[@nickbricks57]

My uncle absolutely loves his HT Kingswood wagon. Originally owned by my grandfather and passed down to my uncle, it was fully restored by him some years ago and meant so much to my grandfather that passion has made me really want to buy and restore a kingswood wagon

[@adamgilesconcoursdelegance9302]

Just like me!! In thirty years!,,bought my Lexus brand new in 2000 at age 24.. still have it and 8 other cars

[@donaldhollums3278]

You do not have to hurry off, Mr. Fletch, but you do have to hurry back! Keep up the great work.

[@bigears4014]

The drag from a alternator is incredible too , thermo fans make the alternator work harder

[@jasontaylor7837]

Flesh needs to do a walk through his cars

[@7884golfguru]

Looking good Fletch love your show

[@MightyMick88]

Ahh Glen how are you buddy.

[@ivanolsen8596]

A Legend interviewing Legends!

[@davidforbes6250]

Thanks digger! !

[@wildcolonialman]

Fabulous.