FEATURE - 1971 Chevrolet SS (export HG Monaro)

Euan hadn't even been looking for a car like this when it popped up.

 

"I've had 5 Chargers over the years and was actually in the process of buying another one when I saw the Monaro for sale."

 

In the 40+ cars he's had over the years, the WA-based enthusiast has never owned a Monaro. Given this car was badged and sold as a Chevrolet, you could argue he still hasn't, but we'll get into that a bit later.

 

"The car was only a few minutes up the road, so I went to have a look," Euan explained.

 

The seller had imported the car to WA from South Africa and advised Euan on its known history. Originally delivered to a doctor in South Africa, the car had been fitted with a Holden 308 V8 and 4-speed manual. When new, the 308 could be had with an auto, while the Chev 350 V8, with either a manual or auto transmission, was also available to South African buyers.

 

"The overall condition and uniqueness attracted me," Euan explained. "It was a great resto and the paint and panel gaps all around were excellent. It had been very well put together."

 

More than just a panel and paint job, the seller had spent big on rebuilding the engine and diff, swapping the factory 4-speed for a 5-speed out of a Supra, fitting new suspension, all new wiring, new upholstery and new glass all around, as well as deleting the vinyl roof.

 

"Being an unknown import with mostly unavailable car history, he left nothing to chance and restored everything. He seemed like a fastidious owner, which impressed me at the time."

 

The seller had invested a claimed $100,000 in the car over a 15 year restoration period.

 

"Scary when you start to add it all up," Euan said.

 

For Euan, the car ticked a lot of boxes, so he bought it.

 

 

In a lot of ways, the development of South Africa's motor industry mirrored that of Australia's. Both General Motors and Ford had an early presence in the country, with the industry developing from local assembly of CKD kits to more advanced development, engineering and manufacturing capabilities until, like Australia, it had its own dedicated models.

 

Like here, utes were popular in South Africa, with 'bakkies' (the local slang term) cut from tourers and sedans initially, then developed from passenger cars, including a number of sedans that were made into 'mini-utes' by removing the bootlid and fitting a small cargo box.

 

By the mid-60s, GM-Holden was arguably a more mature company than GM South Africa, and included its African counterpart among a wide range of export markets. Starting with New Zealand in the mid-1950s, Holden's export program soon spread to other markets in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and even Europe. While the earliest model Holden we can find concrete evidence of being exported to South Africa is the HD/HR series, it's hard to imagine that preceding models didn't make their way to the country as well.

 

Like Australia, South Africa's automotive tastes had matured by the mid-1960s, so mere transportation wasn't enough. The market was demanding a higher level of standard equipment, as well as more luxury and performance; demands which Holden was more than capable of fulfilling.

 

Being an RHD country producing RHD cars made the selection of Australia to supply these vehicles to the South African market a natural fit, and it's here where our feature car enters the picture.

 

 

While you can debate the merits and thinking behind sticking Chevy's bowtie badge on a Holden, this vehicle shows it's not a new phenomenon! While the modern trend is individually driven, the South African change was decided at a corporate level, but also influenced by other factors, including growing unrest over the country's apartheid racial segregation policy, which led a number of companies to either downplay their involvement in the country or divest their South African interests entirely.

 

While Holdens had been sold as Holdens in South Africa for a number of years, Chevrolet was the country's most popular and well-known brand. So, with Aussie Holdens, Opels from Germany and Vauxhalls from England also being either assembled or imported into the country, it made sense to combine them all under the Chevrolet banner and present a larger, more united range to the market.

 

Thus, Aussie Holden Kingswoods became known as the Chevrolet Kommando, utes were badged as Chevy El Caminos, and the Brougham/Statesman was sold as the Chevrolet Constantia. In the case of our feature car, the switch from Monaro to the SS began in 1971. Badged as an SS, this vehicle was also known as the Chevrolet 'Sport Coupe'.

 

Later, Holden HQ One Tonners were sold as Chevy El Toros alongside the rebadged HQ El Caminos before Holden exports wound down and South Africa focussed on Opel models.

 

 

Norm Darwin's book, 'Monaro Magic', lists 222 examples of the Chev SS sold in South Africa in 1971, with sales continuing for a further two years, but it seems there was no switch to the HQ bodyshell for the SS in South Africa following the HQ's Australian introduction in mid-1971.

 

While changes to the other Holdens were minor, the Monaro saw a striking change to the front end as part of its rebirth as a Chevrolet. GM South Africa's styling was some way behind that of its parent company, and development had slowed in the political climate of the time. Thus, a 1971 model car, like the HG Monaro-based SS, wore front end styling that was close to five years old in American terms.

 

The SS's quad headlight grille most closely resembles that of a 1966 Chevelle, but compare the two and you'll see it's no mere cut 'n' paste job. A closer look at the grille on Euan's car shows many changes, including a raised centre section (like the HT Monaro), a different grille pattern to a Chevelle and, unlike the Chevelle, front indicators that wrapped around the front guards. With some minor alterations, the grille/light package slotted neatly into the Monaro's front end. Euan likes the look and reckons it gives the car the more upmarket feel of the Premier.

 

The SS rear, however, is more noticeably Holden, with Chevrolet badging and reflectors (deleted in this instance, but a peculiar requirement of South African compliance) being the only notable changes. An SS badge on the bootlid was also common.

 

 

Since he purchased this car in May, 2015, Euan has fielded plenty of 'what is it?' questions, which he said can be a good thing and a bad thing.

 

"A lot of people are surprised to see Chevrolet badges on a Monaro. Chevy owners think I added them myself and the Holden owners give me a hard time for 'ruining a perfectly good Monaro by adding Chev badges', so I can't win either way," Euan laughed.

 

That "problem" was fixed by putting a sign on the windscreen at shows, explaining it's an export model. Euan has also added a GTS badge to the grille to keep the Monaro purists happy. Well, some of them, anyway!

 

While some may argue otherwise, as far as JUST CARS are concerned, it's a Chevrolet.

 

 

As purchased, the SS came with a 650cm double pumper, but after a week of driving the car around Perth, Euan replaced that with a milder 500cfm Edelbrock carb for more relaxed cruising. Euan also fitted new boot carpeting, a smaller diameter wooden steering wheel and a small stick-on clock for the dash.

 

More recently, the brakes were treated to a full upgrade, including new discs, drums (at the rear), pads, lines and master cylinder. Euan found a great local mechanic in Aaron Bandy of Zion Schneider Car Care in Malaga (north of Perth), who did the work here and continues to give the car his expert attention. Aaron also installed a new stainless steel throttle cable and billet throttle kit (from Globalperf, Perth and AT Racing World, NSW, respectively), which Euan says makes for smoother, jerk-free acceleration.

 

At the time of our first conversation with Euan, he recounted that Aaron had picked up a slight power steering leak, so replaced the hoses and fittings.

 

"He's a very thorough and very fussy mechanic," Euan said. "He has two classic Holden's himself and loves to work on classic cars, so he handles any work I feel it needs."

 

 

With the most recent work done, Euan said his classic Chevy now runs as well as a new car and he'd happily and confidently drive it across Australia.

 

"She's a Sunday driver, or for the odd run down south to clear the cobwebs and let the Bob Seger CD play its entire length. You can't have modern music in these cars – it just doesn't sound right!" Euan laughed.

 

When it's not being enjoyed, with 'Night Moves' or 'Still the Same' on the stereo, the SS stays well protected under its car cover.

 

Euan estimates he's only travelled about 1,000kms in the nine months he's owned the car, but now, due to a change in family circumstances, he's reluctantly letting it go (see breakout for details).

 

 

When he sells this car, there are a few preferred replacements on Euan's list.

 

"I would like to put a 1937 Buick twin side-mount coupe in my garage, or maybe go down the hot rod road again."

 

A '34 Ford sedan, or maybe a '39 or '40 Ford, with a modern driveline and reliable set-up (power steering, air con, etc.), could be the way to go.

 

Euan noted that there aren't too many garages stocking parts for a Buick Straight 8 these days, so it seems like the Ford will win out.

 

Either way, whatever Euan's next car is, it's a safe bet it won't be as unique or unusual as his Chevrolet SS.

 

 

While it's a cruiser he's enjoyed owning and driving, an accident which left his wife in a wheelchair has not only limited the opportunities to get the SS out and about, but also made the car largely impractical to cruise in, so he's reluctantly letting it go.

 

As mentioned, the car has been well cared for and treated to some new components that make it a reliable weekend cruiser or even a daily driver.

 

There are a few Chevrolet SS's residing in Australia today, but they're a rare sight - and rarely come up for sale.

 

 

Euan did say that he remains in two minds about selling the car, so get in touch before he changes his mind!

 

 

This article first appeared in JUST CARS #240.