2004 Vauxhall Monaro 5.7L VXR

Highlights

• 5.7-litre LS1 V8
• Manual gearbox
• Genuine UK-supplied car
• Paperwork back to original bill of sale
• Modern muscle car in good, usable condition

Overview

In many ways, the Vauxhall Monaro was something of a skunk works project, the vision of a small group of car enthusiasts working within GM UK in the early 2000s, who wanted a halo car that was a little bit more special than a souped-up Vectra.

The man behind the project was Vauxhall’s former head of product marketing, Stuart Harris, who loved high performance, rear-wheel-drive cars and had encountered the Holden V2 Monaro on a business trip to GM’s Australian HQ. Cursory conversations took place, and because the Commodore-based coupé was already a right-hand-drive model, the notion of selling them in the UK suddenly became a distinct possibility, not least because it was three Aussie dollars to the pound at the time.

Somehow managing to navigate the red tape of GM Europe, the Vauxhall product guys broke rank. The Monaro was imported on an individual type-approval basis, limited to no more than 400 units a year, and the iconic Lotus Carlton was wheeled out of Vauxhall’s Heritage Collection to remind the media that this wasn’t the first time the UK had pulled a hooligan of a rabbit out of an unlikely hat. The press lapped it up – the Monaro was an old-school V8, Aussie brawn and US power, with a 5.7-litre LS1 V8 under the bonnet, a six-speed Corvette manual transmission and rear-wheel-drive.

It was a beast of a car – happy to light up its rear tyres if provoked, but equally happy as a mile-munching V8 cruiser that could easily return over 30mpg on a run. No, seriously…

This VXR is a seminal example. Later VXR-badged Monaros grew a pair of bonnet nostrils and were tuned to over 450bhp, but many would argue that the 382bhp launch car was plenty beefy enough.

Equipped with a completely standard engine and transmission and with a few signs of age-related wear, it’s nonetheless in great order for a car rapidly approaching its 20thbirthday. It comes with a full maintenance record and the original bill of sale, and looks stealthy in its original Phantom Black paintwork. A rare and fascinating car, built by enthusiasts for enthusiasts, yet easy and inexpensive to maintain thanks to its legendary pushrod V8. What’s not to like?

History and documentation

• UK V5C
• MOT November 2024 – advisories for coil springs and rear brake discs
• Genuine mileage
• Two sets of keys, one quite worn
• Original sales invoice
• Invoices for services for most of the car’s life, services as follows: May 2005 – Lance Owen, Heathrow @ 5,526 miles, Aug 2006 – Lance Owen, Heathrow @ 11,025 miles, Aug 2007 – Garage not shown @ 21,300 miles, Sep 2008 - Elmwood Vehicle Services, London @ 26,733 miles, Aug 2009 – Elmwood Vehicle Services, London @ 32,018 miles, Aug 2010 - Elmwood Vehicles Ltd @38,200 miles, Aug 2011 - Elmwood Vehicles Ltd @47,200 miles, Oct 2012 – Monkfish Garage Services, Buckingham @ 51,169 miles, Jun 2014 – Carmasters, Cannock @ 55,216 miles, Jan 2016 - AutoMobile, Stone @ 58,393 miles, Sep 2017 - AutoMobile, Stone @ 59,795 miles, Nov 2020 - AutoMobile, Stone @ 68,956 miles, Dec 2022 - Automobile, Stone @ 78,200 miles, Dec 2023 – JS Motor Works, Henley-on-Thames @ 81,346 miles
• Aftermarket Tracker
• Car cover included

Interior

• Black leather upholstery
• Fully operational 4-way adjustable Electric Memory front seats
• Passenger and rear seats in great order, some minor wear to driver’s seat
• Carpets, headlining and door cards in great condition
• Infotainment screen no longer working but all controls still operable via driver’s binnacle display
• Large boot with luggage net and tie-down areas
• Climate control
• Automatic lights and wipers
• Cruise control
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror

Exterior

• Original Phantom Black coachwork in very presentable overall order

• A few minor marks and scuffs and several stone chips to the bonnet

• Small amount of paint bubbling on boot near spoiler bracket

• Small dent and scratch on front right quarter panel

• Left side wheels are kerb-scuffed

• Right side wheels in better condition but have some missing paint

• Two almost new tyres and other two are part-worn but with decent tread

• Front bumper crack - repaired by previous owner

• The vendor reports that the car has some surface corrosion on the underside, but that there are no major rust issues

Mechanical

• 5.7-litre LS1 V8
• 384bhp
• Six-speed manual
• Rear-wheel-drive
• Genuine mileage
• Some surface corrosion to all four road springs, but still sound
• Uprated AP Racing brakes
• Adjustable coilover suspension
• Reconditioned steering rack
• Runs well and holds a steady temperature
• Rear discs will need replacing soon
• Well-maintained example of legendary, durable pushrod V8
• Slight squeak from auxiliary belt on start-up

Summary

Unrestored, sound, honest and well-maintained, this Monaro is the perfect car to just buy, jump in and use. It’s in great mechanical order, and while there are some minor cosmetic issues that you may wish to attend to in the future, there’s nothing pressing or urgent that will stop you enjoying a truly glorious modern muscle car, which has been loved and cherished yet also enjoyed throughout its life, and is in very good, presentable order. A proper modern classic in the Pistonheads mould – we loved the Monaro when it was new and we still adore it now. Here’s your opportunity to find out exactly why that is…

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located near Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire.