Classic Carlectables 1:18 Holden HK Monaro GTS 327 - 1968 Bathurst Controversy

Classic Carlectables 1:18 Holden HK Monaro GTS 327 - 1968 Bathurst Controversy14D was a privateer entry for the 1968 Bathurst race, piloted by Des West and Ron Marks. The car had plenty of speed, qualifying in second position, only 0. 2s behind pole sitter Bruce McPhee. After a frantic start, the 14D car had built itself a comfortable lead, and was only overtaken when West came in for their first fuel stop. 14D regained the lead with the Gibson Seaton Ford Falcon in second, Ford lap charts actually had the Falcon in the lead,

14D was a privateer entry for the 1968 Bathurst race, piloted by Des West and Ron Marks. The car had plenty of speed, qualifying in second position, only 0.2s behind pole sitter Bruce McPhee. After a frantic start, the 14D car had built itself a comfortable lead, and was only overtaken when West came in for their first fuel stop. 14D regained the lead with the Gibson/Seaton Ford Falcon in second, Ford lap charts actually had the Falcon in the lead, but a busted piston soon halted any arguments. Further lap scoring investigation found that McPhee was actually in front of the 14D car. The 13D car of McPhee/Mulholland would cross the line in first with 14D finishing in second.

Later the scrutineers found the inlet valves were not identical to the 327 specifications, and car 14D was disqualified. While blueprinting the engine, the team found a faulty valve, so a new cylinder head was sourced from a Holden dealer. The replacement head had larger valves than the original, after checking with Holden, it was the correct part for the engine. A protest commenced on the grounds that the valves were the only ones available from Holden. The team was cleared of any wrong doing, but the disqualification remained.

• A street car at heart, the 14D Monaro retained the vehicle registration plate, but had the addition of bonnet hold-downs.
• The sports hub caps had been removed from the race car, shown here are the steel wheel rims. The car also ran on Michelin XAS rubber.
• The race car interior didnt have any modifications from the road car, with the exception of the drivers harness.
• The buckets seats have been recreated in soft touch rubber. The race car even retained the standard seat belts, reproduced in fabric for a realistic appearance.
• The 327 V8 engine remained the same as the road car, with a 4-barrel down-draft carburettor, good for 250 b.h.p.
• The rear chassis shows off the impressive exhaust system. The dual exhaust system splits into four chrome tipped tail pipes.
• The front chassis shows the engine sump, exhaust system and working suspension. The front wheels are even linked to the steering wheel. 
• The chassis bears an individually numbered etched metal plate which is the edition number of your model.