Vauxhall Monaro 5.7 | Spotted

What's better than a Monaro? A very nicely modified Monaro, of course

By Matt Bird / Monday, 22 June 2026 / Loading comments

Quite clearly, the modern classic phenomenon isn’t going anywhere. Old cars have always appealed, of course, but with such drastic change sweeping through the industry, the previously inviolable stuff is now being cherished secondhand. Not so long ago we never really banked on losing manual gearboxes, naturally aspirated engines or steering that felt connected to something other than a microprocessor; those that had the foresight surely couldn’t have banked on the change happening quite so fast.

The only problem with a car approaching or going into, say, its third decade is that it won’t be as good as when it was reviewed. Or how you remembered it. Time and mileage will have taken their toll on rubbers, suspension and structural integrity, even if the engine may have loosened up since new. Spending too much on bringing your modern classic back to its best then threatens to jeopardise what might have looked like a bit of a bargain.

The seldom-seen ideal, then, must be a car that’s had some upgrades to keep it feeling fresh - but without so much use that they need renewing. Or with a daft asking price. And that doesn’t tend to happen much, those folk who’ve spent money improving their car are likely to keep hold of it. This Monaro could be the exception, though. It’s never far from the collective PH mind, but recent exposure to a current Ford Mustang brought the fondness back. There isn’t much more entertaining than a big V8, rear-drive, and a handsome coupe body. Muscle cars in the UK might cost £60k rather than the £30k they did at the time of the Monaro, but the appeal really is timeless.

This 5.7-litre Monaro can boast a lot more than the usual attributes, thanks to a raft of performance-focused upgrades. It’s going to sound, steer and stop better than standard, and perhaps even stand up to a track day, while still retaining much of its everyday suitability with four seats - and even a new phone-compatible screen.

There are BC Racing coilovers, as well as polybushes throughout where there used to be rubber, so it’s going to be a lot keener into and out of corners. The brakes have been upgraded as well, with a six-piston front setup and four-piston calipers at the rear - the latter replaced just this year. Lighter wheels sit on tyres also done in 2026, and the V8 thunder is enhanced with a stainless steel exhaust manifold and cat-back. A baffled sump, upgraded Mishimoto radiator and a quick shift point to a car that should really stand up to hard driving. In a manual Monaro, that ought to be a heck of a lot of fun.

And for those with bigger dreams, what a base this car could be for a more dedicated track car build, a full Supercars tribute with weight taken out, seats replaced and so on. The M3s wouldn’t know what was going on. In its current state, the Monaro looks like something that would prove pretty lovely whether saved for Sundays or used on a more regular basis. All being well, the modifications have brought it to life without making the big Vaux too extreme. Moreover, it's only £12k - or about what you’d pay for a 100k-mile Monaro anyway. With the standard wheels included, which could be sold to recoup some cash. Obviously this one isn’t for the collectors or showgoers (though it is turned out pretty nicely); for those who want a 5.7 Monaro to make every drive to the petrol station an event, this has to be it.

SPECIFICATION | VAUXHALL MONARO

Engine: 5,665cc, V8, naturally aspirated
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 333@5,600rpm
Torque (lb ft): 343@4,000rpm
CO2: 360g/km
MPG: 20
Recorded mileage: 98,000
Year registered: 2004
Price new: £28,650
Yours for: £12,690