Funny, 350/Z is captioned as being a show car but I dont recall ever seeing it at the Motor Show, maybe someone else does. It appears to be a 71 model judging by the lack of headrests on the front seats. You will also notice it has been robbed of some parts as the rear spoiler end piece is missing.
308Q did the show circuit in 73-74. From memory it debuted in Sydney Oct 73, next I think was Brisbane in early Feb 74, then Melbourne late Feb- early March 74, then Adelaide March-April 74, then Perth late April. From memory the rear boot was welded shut and a fair bit of metal infilling to the rear and flaring of the guards. It would not have been road legal and I doubt GMH would have changed it back to on-sell it. Yes some prototypes make it onto the road, they were sometimes offered to GMH executives or preferred dealers, I heard rumours that the superchicken van went to a dealership in Sydney.
The SS prototype is a hard one as I have heard so many different stories about it over the years it is hard to know what is true.
1) It is the prototype SS but it was later decided to use the base model Belmont instead..... I find this a little hard to believe, GMH wanted to test the waters with a 4 dr "sporty" car, why would they start with a loaded with options and high luxury level car. I do wonder why they didnt use the SS grill?
2) It was built after the release of the SS and is the prototype of the 4dr GTS Monaro.... I find this a little easier to believe, but The EMU clay model had SS style stripes, the SS had stripes and the 4dr Monaro that was released had bonnet and boot paint outs ... so why is this car all one colour with just a SS badged grill and SS on the rear spoiler?? A shame they didnt stick with this look and SS instead of calling it a Monaro ... sure would have saved a lot of crap arguments between todays enthusiasts.
3) It was a HQ Premier 308 4sp optioned with GTS dash, aircond, leather interior, rear headrests, 8 track etc for the sales director. It was later fitted with GTS guards and some of the unused SS-350/Z bits and the soon to be released HJ Monaro honeycomb wheels.... Hmm, dont know about this one either but I must admit it seems too optioned up for a prototype and the use of the honeycomb wheels in 71-72 seems strange.
Another strange one with inconsistencies is the so called prototype to the HX LE .... A 75 model HJ Statesman Caprice coupe. Apparently another executives vehicle that was later on sold and now owned by a fellow in Vic.
With the optional front and rear spoilers and bonnet scoop for the SS, do you happen to know the Holden part numbers for them?
