RE: Vauxhall Monaro: Spotted
Discussion
mfp4073 said:
I think around 55000 Monaros were built in total?
According to this manufacturer source and this forum summary, total sales were as follows.| REGION | UNITS | PCT |
|---|---|---|
| ME | 1055 | 2 |
| AUS NZ UK | 15910 | 28 |
| USA | 40758 | 71 |
| TOTAL | 57723 | 100 |
NOTES
- All units apart from AUS NZ UK are left-hand drive
- ME = Chevrolet Lumina, AUS NZ UK = Holden Monaro / Vauxhall Monaro, USA = Pontiac GTO
- USA model produced for only three model years: 2004 through 2006
- USA units powered by 5.7 litre in 2004 and 6.0 litre in 2005 and 2006
Well, that's the car (the one in the spotted feature) sold. I am sad to see it go, though it was a pleasure to hear it drive off. It has always been a source of mild frustration to me that V8's generally sound better from the pavement than from the driver's seat - you are effectively performing a public service for bystanders by running and driving them.
Undoubtedly the best car I have ever owned, and possibly the best car I ever will own, as (to use a cliche) they don't make 'em like that any more - literally, given Holden ceasing Australian production this week. Hats off to GM and Bob Lutz for bringing these cars to a more global audience as the Pontiac GTO and Vauxhall Monaro. It wasn't perfect, but in terms of big-hearted character, I can't think of a car with more.
I had always wanted a muscle car, and the Monaro realised that dream for me. Looking like it had come out of a Hotwheels blister pack, it had the big American V8, was rwd, manual, a coupe, and had just the right balance of aggression and subtelty in its styling. All that and in rhd too. Until the current Mustang, it was a totally unique proposition in the UK in that respect. Sure there are German cars and Jags with V8s, but they are not true muscle cars. For me a muscle car has to have that rawness, that simplicity, and it must have a blue collar badge.
I owned it for 7 years, by far the longest I've ever owned a car, and it served me well. It was fairly cheap to run too - a benefit of the old school engineering perhaps. It cost me just over £1000 in depreciation over 7 years, and not much more than that in repair costs (consumables, servicing and cosmetic improvements aside). That's a V8 muscle car for 7 years for about the same as one year's PCP payments on some VAG diesel.
However, with a young family I have other priorities right now and the car just wasn't getting enough use. There was no point it just taking up my garage like some static tribute to lost childhood dreams. Fortunately it seems to have gone to a good home. Still hard to say goodbye though.
My 2 year old daughter cried as it was driven away. I might have a little cry myself later.
Undoubtedly the best car I have ever owned, and possibly the best car I ever will own, as (to use a cliche) they don't make 'em like that any more - literally, given Holden ceasing Australian production this week. Hats off to GM and Bob Lutz for bringing these cars to a more global audience as the Pontiac GTO and Vauxhall Monaro. It wasn't perfect, but in terms of big-hearted character, I can't think of a car with more.
I had always wanted a muscle car, and the Monaro realised that dream for me. Looking like it had come out of a Hotwheels blister pack, it had the big American V8, was rwd, manual, a coupe, and had just the right balance of aggression and subtelty in its styling. All that and in rhd too. Until the current Mustang, it was a totally unique proposition in the UK in that respect. Sure there are German cars and Jags with V8s, but they are not true muscle cars. For me a muscle car has to have that rawness, that simplicity, and it must have a blue collar badge.
I owned it for 7 years, by far the longest I've ever owned a car, and it served me well. It was fairly cheap to run too - a benefit of the old school engineering perhaps. It cost me just over £1000 in depreciation over 7 years, and not much more than that in repair costs (consumables, servicing and cosmetic improvements aside). That's a V8 muscle car for 7 years for about the same as one year's PCP payments on some VAG diesel.
However, with a young family I have other priorities right now and the car just wasn't getting enough use. There was no point it just taking up my garage like some static tribute to lost childhood dreams. Fortunately it seems to have gone to a good home. Still hard to say goodbye though.
My 2 year old daughter cried as it was driven away. I might have a little cry myself later.
Lil'RedGTO said:
There was no point it just taking up my garage like some static tribute to lost childhood dreams. Fortunately it seems to have gone to a good home. Still hard to say goodbye though.
My 2 year old daughter cried as it was driven away. I might have a little cry myself later.
poignantMy 2 year old daughter cried as it was driven away. I might have a little cry myself later.
mfp4073 said:
what does PCT mean?
percent (of total sales volume); sorry for the abbreviation Lil'RedGTO said:
Well, that's the car (the one in the spotted feature) sold. I am sad to see it go, though it was a pleasure to hear it drive off. It has always been a source of mild frustration to me that V8's generally sound better from the pavement than from the driver's seat - you are effectively performing a public service for bystanders by running and driving them.
Undoubtedly the best car I have ever owned, and possibly the best car I ever will own, as (to use a cliche) they don't make 'em like that any more - literally, given Holden ceasing Australian production this week. Hats off to GM and Bob Lutz for bringing these cars to a more global audience as the Pontiac GTO and Vauxhall Monaro. It wasn't perfect, but in terms of big-hearted character, I can't think of a car with more.
I had always wanted a muscle car, and the Monaro realised that dream for me. Looking like it had come out of a Hotwheels blister pack, it had the big American V8, was rwd, manual, a coupe, and had just the right balance of aggression and subtelty in its styling. All that and in rhd too. Until the current Mustang, it was a totally unique proposition in the UK in that respect. Sure there are German cars and Jags with V8s, but they are not true muscle cars. For me a muscle car has to have that rawness, that simplicity, and it must have a blue collar badge.
I owned it for 7 years, by far the longest I've ever owned a car, and it served me well. It was fairly cheap to run too - a benefit of the old school engineering perhaps. It cost me just over £1000 in depreciation over 7 years, and not much more than that in repair costs (consumables, servicing and cosmetic improvements aside). That's a V8 muscle car for 7 years for about the same as one year's PCP payments on some VAG diesel.
However, with a young family I have other priorities right now and the car just wasn't getting enough use. There was no point it just taking up my garage like some static tribute to lost childhood dreams. Fortunately it seems to have gone to a good home. Still hard to say goodbye though.
My 2 year old daughter cried as it was driven away. I might have a little cry myself later.
Yes, Hotweels indeed, they have a lot to answer for! I couldn't agree more with your write up.Undoubtedly the best car I have ever owned, and possibly the best car I ever will own, as (to use a cliche) they don't make 'em like that any more - literally, given Holden ceasing Australian production this week. Hats off to GM and Bob Lutz for bringing these cars to a more global audience as the Pontiac GTO and Vauxhall Monaro. It wasn't perfect, but in terms of big-hearted character, I can't think of a car with more.
I had always wanted a muscle car, and the Monaro realised that dream for me. Looking like it had come out of a Hotwheels blister pack, it had the big American V8, was rwd, manual, a coupe, and had just the right balance of aggression and subtelty in its styling. All that and in rhd too. Until the current Mustang, it was a totally unique proposition in the UK in that respect. Sure there are German cars and Jags with V8s, but they are not true muscle cars. For me a muscle car has to have that rawness, that simplicity, and it must have a blue collar badge.
I owned it for 7 years, by far the longest I've ever owned a car, and it served me well. It was fairly cheap to run too - a benefit of the old school engineering perhaps. It cost me just over £1000 in depreciation over 7 years, and not much more than that in repair costs (consumables, servicing and cosmetic improvements aside). That's a V8 muscle car for 7 years for about the same as one year's PCP payments on some VAG diesel.
However, with a young family I have other priorities right now and the car just wasn't getting enough use. There was no point it just taking up my garage like some static tribute to lost childhood dreams. Fortunately it seems to have gone to a good home. Still hard to say goodbye though.
My 2 year old daughter cried as it was driven away. I might have a little cry myself later.
It's sad you had to sell, but your priorities have changed. I remember in the mid 80s I had to sell my 74 Dodge Challenger in order to get married. I was really quite devastated to be frank.
But such is life I guess, just pour yourself a double brandy, be thankful you owned one, and appreciated it.
Lil'RedGTO said:
Well, that's the car (the one in the spotted feature) sold. I am sad to see it go, though it was a pleasure to hear it drive off. It has always been a source of mild frustration to me that V8's generally sound better from the pavement than from the driver's seat - you are effectively performing a public service for bystanders by running and driving them.
Undoubtedly the best car I have ever owned, and possibly the best car I ever will own, as (to use a cliche) they don't make 'em like that any more - literally, given Holden ceasing Australian production this week. Hats off to GM and Bob Lutz for bringing these cars to a more global audience as the Pontiac GTO and Vauxhall Monaro. It wasn't perfect, but in terms of big-hearted character, I can't think of a car with more.
I had always wanted a muscle car, and the Monaro realised that dream for me. Looking like it had come out of a Hotwheels blister pack, it had the big American V8, was rwd, manual, a coupe, and had just the right balance of aggression and subtelty in its styling. All that and in rhd too. Until the current Mustang, it was a totally unique proposition in the UK in that respect. Sure there are German cars and Jags with V8s, but they are not true muscle cars. For me a muscle car has to have that rawness, that simplicity, and it must have a blue collar badge.
I owned it for 7 years, by far the longest I've ever owned a car, and it served me well. It was fairly cheap to run too - a benefit of the old school engineering perhaps. It cost me just over £1000 in depreciation over 7 years, and not much more than that in repair costs (consumables, servicing and cosmetic improvements aside). That's a V8 muscle car for 7 years for about the same as one year's PCP payments on some VAG diesel.
However, with a young family I have other priorities right now and the car just wasn't getting enough use. There was no point it just taking up my garage like some static tribute to lost childhood dreams. Fortunately it seems to have gone to a good home. Still hard to say goodbye though.
My 2 year old daughter cried as it was driven away. I might have a little cry myself later.
Glad it went to a good home, was a very good price. It was what prompted me to approach my bank for a loan Undoubtedly the best car I have ever owned, and possibly the best car I ever will own, as (to use a cliche) they don't make 'em like that any more - literally, given Holden ceasing Australian production this week. Hats off to GM and Bob Lutz for bringing these cars to a more global audience as the Pontiac GTO and Vauxhall Monaro. It wasn't perfect, but in terms of big-hearted character, I can't think of a car with more.
I had always wanted a muscle car, and the Monaro realised that dream for me. Looking like it had come out of a Hotwheels blister pack, it had the big American V8, was rwd, manual, a coupe, and had just the right balance of aggression and subtelty in its styling. All that and in rhd too. Until the current Mustang, it was a totally unique proposition in the UK in that respect. Sure there are German cars and Jags with V8s, but they are not true muscle cars. For me a muscle car has to have that rawness, that simplicity, and it must have a blue collar badge.
I owned it for 7 years, by far the longest I've ever owned a car, and it served me well. It was fairly cheap to run too - a benefit of the old school engineering perhaps. It cost me just over £1000 in depreciation over 7 years, and not much more than that in repair costs (consumables, servicing and cosmetic improvements aside). That's a V8 muscle car for 7 years for about the same as one year's PCP payments on some VAG diesel.
However, with a young family I have other priorities right now and the car just wasn't getting enough use. There was no point it just taking up my garage like some static tribute to lost childhood dreams. Fortunately it seems to have gone to a good home. Still hard to say goodbye though.
My 2 year old daughter cried as it was driven away. I might have a little cry myself later.
Lil'RedGTO said:
Well, that's the car (the one in the spotted feature) sold. I am sad to see it go, though it was a pleasure to hear it drive off. It has always been a source of mild frustration to me that V8's generally sound better from the pavement than from the driver's seat - you are effectively performing a public service for bystanders by running and driving them.
Undoubtedly the best car I have ever owned, and possibly the best car I ever will own, as (to use a cliche) they don't make 'em like that any more - literally, given Holden ceasing Australian production this week. Hats off to GM and Bob Lutz for bringing these cars to a more global audience as the Pontiac GTO and Vauxhall Monaro. It wasn't perfect, but in terms of big-hearted character, I can't think of a car with more.
I had always wanted a muscle car, and the Monaro realised that dream for me. Looking like it had come out of a Hotwheels blister pack, it had the big American V8, was rwd, manual, a coupe, and had just the right balance of aggression and subtelty in its styling. All that and in rhd too. Until the current Mustang, it was a totally unique proposition in the UK in that respect. Sure there are German cars and Jags with V8s, but they are not true muscle cars. For me a muscle car has to have that rawness, that simplicity, and it must have a blue collar badge.
I owned it for 7 years, by far the longest I've ever owned a car, and it served me well. It was fairly cheap to run too - a benefit of the old school engineering perhaps. It cost me just over £1000 in depreciation over 7 years, and not much more than that in repair costs (consumables, servicing and cosmetic improvements aside). That's a V8 muscle car for 7 years for about the same as one year's PCP payments on some VAG diesel.
However, with a young family I have other priorities right now and the car just wasn't getting enough use. There was no point it just taking up my garage like some static tribute to lost childhood dreams. Fortunately it seems to have gone to a good home. Still hard to say goodbye though.
My 2 year old daughter cried as it was driven away. I might have a little cry myself later.
I agree totally. When I was in the same position I was lucky enough to tuck mine up in the garage and buy my Discovery for practical duties. I knew as I do now, if I sold it, I’d always regret it. Even 11 years on, it still excites me to turn the key and hear the explosion as it bursts into life. I drive it everywhere with the window down so I can hear the frankly ridiculous V8 noise it makes. Undoubtedly the best car I have ever owned, and possibly the best car I ever will own, as (to use a cliche) they don't make 'em like that any more - literally, given Holden ceasing Australian production this week. Hats off to GM and Bob Lutz for bringing these cars to a more global audience as the Pontiac GTO and Vauxhall Monaro. It wasn't perfect, but in terms of big-hearted character, I can't think of a car with more.
I had always wanted a muscle car, and the Monaro realised that dream for me. Looking like it had come out of a Hotwheels blister pack, it had the big American V8, was rwd, manual, a coupe, and had just the right balance of aggression and subtelty in its styling. All that and in rhd too. Until the current Mustang, it was a totally unique proposition in the UK in that respect. Sure there are German cars and Jags with V8s, but they are not true muscle cars. For me a muscle car has to have that rawness, that simplicity, and it must have a blue collar badge.
I owned it for 7 years, by far the longest I've ever owned a car, and it served me well. It was fairly cheap to run too - a benefit of the old school engineering perhaps. It cost me just over £1000 in depreciation over 7 years, and not much more than that in repair costs (consumables, servicing and cosmetic improvements aside). That's a V8 muscle car for 7 years for about the same as one year's PCP payments on some VAG diesel.
However, with a young family I have other priorities right now and the car just wasn't getting enough use. There was no point it just taking up my garage like some static tribute to lost childhood dreams. Fortunately it seems to have gone to a good home. Still hard to say goodbye though.
My 2 year old daughter cried as it was driven away. I might have a little cry myself later.
You have my sympathies but some things are keepers.
mfp4073 said:
Unsprung
Well that wasn't a bad guess!
In the great scheme of things as car production goes that isn't very many. I bet quite a few have been totalled over the years
Excuse my ignorance .....but what does PCT mean?
According to how many left there are just over 600 in the UK. Many are getting tired now and they do rust, not being properly under sealed for use on our winter roads. They are expensive to repair when dented so easily written off. Over the next 5 years, the ones that are say at 100k mileages now will have disappeared and be broken for spares.Well that wasn't a bad guess!
In the great scheme of things as car production goes that isn't very many. I bet quite a few have been totalled over the years
Excuse my ignorance .....but what does PCT mean?
Had my 04 CV8 from new in 2004. Did a few mods to it early on, Pedders suspension, AP brakes all round, and the power upped to around 425bhp with a Wortec kit fitted by Monkfish. I've had it for 13 years and 50,000 miles now, the longest time I've ever owned a car. Mines been garaged from new and has zero rust on the body, and still looks remarkably good underneath. During my ownership, other than routine servicing it has needed a new PAS cooler, radiator and front suspension top mounts. Can't think of anything that could replace the driving experience without costing a lot more money, love it!
Sales figures and notes have been updated to provide more detail.
NOTES
Sources: USA and Rest-of-World
No separate figures for New Zealand were found; these are presumed to be included in the figures for Australia.
Some right-hand drive units were sold in South Africa as the Chevrolet Lumina; no separate figures for South Africa were found; perhaps these are included in the AUS+NZ or the ME figures.
No units were offered for sale new in Canada, although secondhand USA units have been imported by individual Canadians.
.
| REGION | BRAND | DRIVE | UNITS | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Vauxhall Monaro | RHD | 800 | 1.4 |
| ME | Chevrolet Lumina Coupé | LHD | 1055 | 1.8 |
| AUS+NZ | Holden Monaro | RHD | 15110 | 26.2 |
| USA | Pontiac GTO | LHD | 40758 | 70.6 |
| Total | 57723 | 100.0 |
NOTES
Sources: USA and Rest-of-World
No separate figures for New Zealand were found; these are presumed to be included in the figures for Australia.
Some right-hand drive units were sold in South Africa as the Chevrolet Lumina; no separate figures for South Africa were found; perhaps these are included in the AUS+NZ or the ME figures.
No units were offered for sale new in Canada, although secondhand USA units have been imported by individual Canadians.
.
unsprung said:
Sales figures and notes have been updated to provide more detail.
NOTES
Sources: USA and Rest-of-World
No separate figures for New Zealand were found; these are presumed to be included in the figures for Australia.
Some right-hand drive units were sold in South Africa as the Chevrolet Lumina; no separate figures for South Africa were found; perhaps these are included in the AUS+NZ or the ME figures.
No units were offered for sale new in Canada, although secondhand USA units have been imported by individual Canadians.
.
Just goes to show GM’s motivation to sell the Monaro outside Australia was driven by North America in an attempt to revive the GTO.| REGION | BRAND | DRIVE | UNITS | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Vauxhall Monaro | RHD | 800 | 1.4 |
| ME | Chevrolet Lumina Coupé | LHD | 1055 | 1.8 |
| AUS+NZ | Holden Monaro | RHD | 15110 | 26.2 |
| USA | Pontiac GTO | LHD | 40758 | 70.6 |
| Total | 57723 | 100.0 |
NOTES
Sources: USA and Rest-of-World
No separate figures for New Zealand were found; these are presumed to be included in the figures for Australia.
Some right-hand drive units were sold in South Africa as the Chevrolet Lumina; no separate figures for South Africa were found; perhaps these are included in the AUS+NZ or the ME figures.
No units were offered for sale new in Canada, although secondhand USA units have been imported by individual Canadians.
.
wormus said:
Just goes to show GM’s motivation to sell the Monaro outside Australia was driven by North America in an attempt to revive the GTO.
jThe sad fact is most Americans didn't like the GTO, they wanted something retro.
Still, the car has a few fans over there. I bet when most have been scrapped, they will wake up and the car will become sort after, a bit like the Plymouth Superbird/ Dodge Charger Daytona, They were not popular at the time, but now people will bite your hand off to get hold of one.
The future generations who are into gasoline engines will appreciate the last of the great ones.
mfp4073 said:
I was thinking the same thing!
It is a very classy colour, it makes it a sort of executive muscle car.
I find it a bit underwhelming. It's a subtle shade.It is a very classy colour, it makes it a sort of executive muscle car.
Edited by mfp4073 on Sunday 22 October 13:09
Sometimes when I look at mine, I wish it was something a little more 'Shouty'....
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