big news in OZ is that our holden monaros are being sold in america as pontiac GTO's, just wondering what you americans reckon of the aussie built car?, its been big news to us, but you guys probably dont even know it was built in aus right? anyway just wondering how its been recieved in America?

When american car companies say they are "going to sell" a new model, they are usually talking 3-4 years out. The Monaro deal is happening pretty fast; it is supposed to be here as a 2004 Pontiac model. I've heard that people are already putting money down on them (advance orders).

I reckon every performance car enthuthiast in the US knows this is a car from down under. On the other hand I fully expect Pontiac to "americanize" the car. Pontiac is infamous for tacking on exterior "cladding" (ribbed panels on the lower body) although they claim to be getting out of that rut. Obviously they will put a Pontiac-style grill on the front rather than the understated clean look of the current Monaro. The interior will almost certainly be redone to reflect "american tastes" which for more expensive models usually means soft seats and gadgets.

That reminds me of when the 1981 Ford Escort came out, Ford advertised it as their "World Car", when in fact the majority of parts didn't match those of the car sold in Europe. It was truly a pathetic vehicle that sold by the millions of units. Marketing is usually bigger here than actual product.

Australia is the new home of the muscle car. We don't even have utes. Still don't have them since the El Camino was discontinued in the 80s.

Autoweek had an update on this. While Pontiac changed the grille, it doesn't look too bad (I like the Monaro pictures better, though). The good news is 65 hp more than the Australian version. We are still waiting to actually see one ...

A close friend last week successfully tendered for a Monaro that had been rolled in it's first week of ownership!! It is a beautiful red HSV GTO with black leather interior and 6 speed. The shell is repairable ,but it's cheaper to import a new shell direct from HSV already painted, it's on it's way already. The car has only 400 km on it and it should be back on the road for less than 1/2 it's selling price of 100.000 +

that was a lucky find!

only problem with that is that its still a holden

generic motors =chev whar a pile of 175 commanys owend by chev i9 love dattos and theres been many that have floged the old ford falcon but remember ford have the only v8 production line in australia and useing the twin cam heads i recon holden have a bit of a fight on there hands seing that the 6cyl turbo ford has v8 grunt at only 5psi boost sorry folk but gm suck cock hard core

while im at it seeing every aussie holden fan wants to put #### on the old blue blooded ford!!! seing holden use the ls1 350 and poor old ford are usein the old 302winsor and holden fans are wonderin why holden kick there arses mind you check out how many fully backed holden cars are on the track compared to the 2 ford factory backed cars but lets not forget the legendary xy gtho falcons that were the fastest four door pruduction car in the world but thay were raceing 327 and 350 munros 5752.2231Cubic centermeters *BUT*the best holden australia could produce was the mighty lil 5047 cubic centermeter 308cid hence the 5.0 super car catorgary but it has gone to #### now that holden are openly alowed to use the 350.. 5735.835Cubic Centimeters this against the old 302 is a bit of over kill :( but i guess ford did start the 175 mph v8 super car scare of the early 70s thats alot more than holden could ever do useing hand me down crap from generic motors... any one here old enough to remember the 600 rwhp of the injected super falcon that geohegon drove im sure holden and the crysler team would love to forget this car four on the flour

I am a Ford man at heart but must correct you on one point the Holden Supercar engines are 5 litres just like the Fords. Project Blueprint has the Chevs running new style heads with equal port spacings and the Falcon style front suspension. If Ford can't beat GM this season with all the new changes then theres not much hope...I used to work in Aussie for some of the Touring car teams, mainly Holdens and I can't believe how much fabrication goes into these vehicles now. There are very little production panels left. I love the class but man it's expensive. Just to keep things equal I have a Ford and a Chev V8 parked in the garage.

#### i was drunk when i wrote that lol but like the cops say its no excuse

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I'm sure it was quad webered. Awesome car though - saw a story on it in Unique Cars a while ago along with Moffat's old Coca Cola Mustang (another one Holden fans would like to forget)...drool...

Bob, have you seen Australian Muscle Car magazine? I think you'll love it - I've bought every issue since I first saw it, but I missed #1. It's all about these old race cars.

www.autopics.com.au have some nice old pics too