2006 Vauxhall Monaro

Highlights

• 6.0-litre LS2 V8

• VXR spec Monaro, genuine UK car

• Only 30k miles from new

• Last owner for 18 years

• Amazing condition and superb colour scheme

Overview 

In the early 2000s, Vauxhall had a bit of an image problem – its cars were well-made and looked smart, but were thin on excitement. 

But, as with many car companies, there were people within the company who were true petrolheads, among whom was a chap called Stuart Harris, who was in charge of large car marketing. 

Like so many of us, Harris loved high performance, rear-wheel-drive cars and had encountered the Holden VY Monaro on a business trip to GM’s Australian HQ in Melbourne, where he borrowed one as his transport for a couple of weeks.  

Cursory conversations took place, and because the Commodore-based coupé was already right-hand-drive, the notion of selling it in the UK became a distinct possibility, not least because it was three Aussie dollars to the pound at the time. A car was brought back to the UK for evaluation and a skunk-works project was born. 

Somehow managing to navigate the red tape of GM Europe, the Vauxhall product guys broke rank. In late 2003, the Vauxhall Monaro became a reality – initially based on the 5.7-litre VY Monaro Coupé. 

It 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 rabbit out of a grey corporate 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. 

But there was more to come. In 2004, Vauxhall launched its VXR brand, led by the 240bhp Astra. In Europe, the new performance cars were badged OPC (for Opel Performance Centre), but as this meant nothing to UK customers, we had a name of our own, plus a little more autonomy.

The product team went back to Australia and came home with a UK-specced version of the supercharged VY Monaro HSV, tuned by an Australian company led by motorsport legend Tom Walkinshaw. It became the Monaro VXR500 and was one of the most ridiculous cars ever sold in the UK – we mean that in a very, very good way. 

This one, a 2006 car, is one of the later models, identifiable by its prominent bonnet nostrils. It has 493bhp, delivered via a gloriously old-school pushrod V8, with a Corvette six-speed gearbox, limited slip diff and rear-wheel-drive. There’s a lot to like there, isn’t there?

Owned by the vendor since it was just one-year old, this is a superb opportunity to get a genuine Aussie classic. 

History and documentation

• UK V5C

• MOT March 2026 – no advisories

• Genuine 30k mileage

• Two keys

• Original book pack

• Recently recommissioned after eight years in storage

•   Original service book stamped as follows: PDI 2006, (main dealer); 2007 @ 6,461 miles (main dealer), 2008 @ 12,882 miles (main dealer), 2010 @ 11,180 miles (independent), 2011 @ 27,580 miles (independent)

• Invoices totalling over £5,000 documenting the car’s recommissioning between 2022 and 2024 – lots recently spent!

 Interior 

• Black leather upholstery

• Fully operational four-way adjustable electric memory front seats 

• Passenger and rear seats in great order, some minor wear to driver’s seat bolster

• Carpets, headlining and door cards in great condition

• Large boot with luggage net and tie-down areas

• Climate control

• Automatic lights and wipers

• Cruise control

• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror

• Very smart overall condition

• Rotating cupholder

• Original toolkit and spacesaver spare wheel

Exterior

• Original Phantom Black paintwork in very good overall order

• A few minor stone chips to the bonnet – this was repainted a few years ago, but has picked up a couple of small chips since

• No signs of any corrosion or prior accident damage

• Wheels have all been refurbished and are shod with Pirelli tyres that have covered less than 1,000 miles

• Underside was stripped, cleaned and re-undersealed in 2022 during recommissioning process; never welded

 Mechanical

• 6.0-litre Supercharged LS2 V8

• 493bhp/500PS

• Six-speed manual

• Rear-wheel-drive

• Genuine mileage

• LS7 clutch upgrade with remote bleed valve

• Refurbished AP callipers

• New discs and pads

• New Pedders gas shocks 

• Replacement fast steering rack in 2022

• Completely recommissioned and subject to a careful mechanical overhaul between 2022 and 2024

Summary

From its intoxicating supercharged howl to its rumbling V8 exhaust note, the Monaro VXR500 is a car that gets deeply under your skin. It’s brash, uncouth and lairy when it wants to be, will light up its rear tyres if provoked, but if you simply need to get from A to B quickly and comfortably, it’s also a delightful, refined Grand Tourer. 

A proper modern classic in the PistonHeads mould – we loved the Monaro VXR500 when it was new and we adore it even more so now. Here’s your opportunity to find out exactly why that is, and we doubt you’ll disagree…

 To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Porthcawl, Mid-Glamorgan.