2005 Vauxhall Monaro

Highlights

• Standard, original Monaro

• Genuine UK car with documented history

• Only 42k miles from new

• Never had an MOT advisory for corrosion

• Lovely condition throughout

Overview

Australia has given us some interesting cultural imports, some more desirable than others. The cult TV series Prisoner: Cell Block H and soap opera Neighbours being probably the best-known, other than Kylie and Jason. 

Then there’s the Vauxhall Monaro, an Adelaide-made Holden in all but name. A happy serendipity of the Australian car market being right-hand-drive is that it makes Aussie cars appealing in the UK. The downside, though, is that importing one is an expensive business, with punitive import and export taxes at both ends and some rather steep shipping costs to boot. 

Luckily, Vauxhall took care of this for just over 700 lucky people, by officially importing the Monaro Coupe from 2003 to 2007 – a move driven by a group of in-house petrolheads in the marketing department who were looking to give the brand a bit of an image boost. Either that, or they were sick of writing specification charts for Zafiras, and who would blame them?

A skunk-works project was born, led by VXR-brand head Stuart Harris, and thanks to a favourable exchange rate (which sadly didn’t last), a business case was put forward to bring the Monaro Coupe to our shores. 

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 Coupe.  

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.

This is one of those launch spec cars, from early 2005, and equipped with the 5.7 V8 and a six-speed manual gearbox. Corvette running gear, essentially, and that’s no bad thing. 

Bought by the vendor earlier this year, the imminent arrival of a new family member and a need for four doors and more practicality forces a reluctant sale. The car has recently had a full service and inspection by Monaro specialists Walkinshaw Performance, ahead of it being offered for sale. 

History and documentation

• First registered in the UK 19 July 2005 and supplied new by Slater’s Vauxhall of Colwyn Bay

• UK V5C in the name of the vendor

• MOT June 2026 – one advisory for a corroded brake pipe union

• Genuine 42k mileage

• Two keys

• Original book pack

• Recently substantial invoice for service and general health check at Walkinshaw

• Original service book stamped as follows: PDI (2005, main dealer); 5,617 miles (2006, main dealer); 8,567 miles (2007, main dealer); 12,237 miles (2008, main dealer); 16,520 miles (2009, main dealer); 18,495 miles (2010, independent); 20,271 miles (2011, main dealer); 25,904 miles (2014, independent); 29,578 (2016, independent); 29,562 (2019, independent); 41,148 (2025 independent); 41,963 (2025, independent); 

Interior

• Black leather upholstery

• Fully operational four-way adjustable electric memory front seats 

• Passenger and rear seats in great order, small amount of 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

• Cruise control

• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror

• Rotating cupholder (as per Saab 9-5)

• Original toolkit and space-saver spare wheel

• Factory head unit and CD changer

• Centre console around gearstick and handbrake has some slight paint flaking

• Door reflector on driver’s door missing

• Very smart overall condition

Exterior

• Original Quick Silver Metallic paintwork in very good overall order

• A few minor stone chips but nothing of any note

• No signs of any external corrosion or prior accident damage

• Wheels are all in excellent order with recent Novaforce tyres all-round

• Underside appears sound, with surface corrosion visible on subframes, suspension components and fuel tank straps

• Overall, it’s a lovely example of the standard Monaro

Mechanical

• 5.7-litre LS1 V8

• 328bhp

• Six-speed manual

• Rear-wheel-drive

• Genuine low mileage

• Recent full service at Walkinshaw Performance: oil and filter changed, diff oil and gearbox oil changed, all belts/pulleys renewed

• While fine for now, Walkinshaw advised the following work in the next 12 months:   new front brakes and pads, top mounts, strut bar bushes and bottom arm bushes

• According to the vendor, the Monaro drives without fault and sounds fantastic

Summary

As Australian imports go, we prefer the Monaro to Mrs Mangle, even if it isn’t quite such a household name outside of car enthusiast circles. Well, to those of a certain age, at least. 

Not that there’s anything remotely new, high-tech or groundbreaking about a muscle car with a manual gearbox, rear-wheel-drive and a thumping overhead valve V8 that can trace its roots back to the 1950s. And no, the very last thing that would be is a criticism. It’s what makes this glorious anachronism of a car so charming, and we challenge you to defy that. You can’t. You want it as much as we do…

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 Bath, Somerset.