Colin Bond tells an interesting story of the culture shock of going from rallying in a works Mitsubishi Colt to a Holden Dealer Team Monaro GTS 350. Where the little Colt might be damaged beyond repair if Bondy miscued and went off road into the shrubbery, the big Monaro would simply knock the trees over!
It was indeed a very versatile car, the Monaro. It was even possible to drive one in a rally one weekend, then race it as a sports sedan the following weekend. And in between it could be used as a daily driver. Which is exactly what Adelaide racer Dick Lang (owner of Desert-Trek Safaris) did in his tough-looking HG Monaro.

It’s seen here soon after it competed in the 1973 SAS10 Christmas Rally (this event was televised live in South Australia), then as it looked a few days later when practising for a night race meeting held under bright lights on the Adelaide International Raceway’s short circuit.
The only modifications required were the removal of the bumpers that supported the extra driving lights, a change of rubber and a quick tune!
