Highlights

Rare & stunning Impulse Blue paintwork with pearl finish
Recent mechanical overhaul with invoices for many thousands in last 12 months
Fitted with full set of Montani Racing silicone coolant hoses costing over £3,000
New brake calipers, EBC performance pads and refurbished alloy wheels
MOT valid to September 2026

The Appeal

The Monaro was Australia's Mustang, the coupe sibling to the country’s famous Bathhurst-bashing Falcons and Commodores. This final generation of Holden’s V8 two door also dominated the renowned circuit in 2002 and 2003, winning the 24hr titles.

The road cars were fitted with GM’s LS1 V8 engine and the choice of manual or auto boxes with power, naturally, channeled through the rear wheels. To boost its UK image, Vauxhall offered the Monaro to UK buyers. It was always going to be for select buyers, and just 783 were sold, of which less than 400 are believed still on the road. Contemporary reviewers adored it, praising its old school, tail-happy handling with its burbling V8 soundtrack.

Here is a chance to sample perhaps one of the best RHD muscle cars of the last 25 years. Just 62 UK-market Monaros were finished in its distinctive Impulse Blue metallic, making this well kept car a rare find. It is in good condition throughout, helped by a recent front end respray covering bumper, wings and bonnet to rectify minor stone chips. The Vauxhall badges have been replaced with Montani Racing items while 2.5in stainless steel exhaust tips and LED fog lamps show the current keeper’s attention to cosmetic detail.

Other expenditure has included over £3,000 to fit a full set of Montani Racing hoses. The engine pulleys, belts and tensioners have recently been replaced. The calipers have been refurbished by specialist Big Red, including repainting, and there is a set of EBC yellow Stuff pads to improve stopping power. The vendor tells us that the expenditure in the last 12 months amounts to several thousand pounds. The current MOT runs to September 2026.

The vendor says:

“The vehicle is the perfect example of what one would want for either a daily driver or a weekend show car. It is stock enough to be easy to maintain, and it is presentable enough that you could enjoy showing it off.

“It really is fantastic. It starts straight up on the key, and idles well. It pulls along with lots of power, it sounds exactly as you would want a corvette engined v8 to sound. Not too loud, but definitely recogniseable. And it is drop dead gorgeous, especially in that Rare Impulse Blue paintwork. Overall a joy to drive.”

History and Paperwork

First registered 29th September 2004
Six UK keepers from new
Current keeper since October 2025
Vendor informs us that he acquired the car around one year ago
We are told the previous keeper who kept it for over a decade
MOT valid to 18th September 2026 with advisories to note
Vendor says that MOT tester commented on the vehicle's tidy condition
Invoices and receipts for parts purchased and work completed in last 12 months
Two original keys supplied, fitted with new key fob cases
Full history of maintenance during previous long-term ownership we are told

The Condition

Finished in rare Impulse Blue with pearl finish that stands out in sunlight
Recent front bumper, front wings and bonnet respray to address light stone chips
Some age-related marks as expected, but presents well overall
Stone chip on front windscreen (not in driver's view, passed MOT)
Original alloy wheels recently refurbished in gun metal grey
Upgraded LED fog lamps with blue halo rings installed to match the exterior colour
Advisories for structure to note on MOT
Extended stainless steel slash-cut exhaust tips
Window tints fitted all around
Vauxhall badges removed for a cleaner appearance (original badges included)
Black leather interior in very good order and showing lighter wear than mileage suggests
Front seats, steering wheel and gear area all in clean condition with light wear as shown
Rear seats appear barely used
Black carpets in good order with protective over mats included
Interior is factory standard including stereo system except as below
Aftermarket white pool ball gear knob and black suede gear gaiter with blue stitching
All electrical components reported to be functioning correctly

The vendor says:

“The interior is actually one of the main focal points of the vehicle. Despite what the odometer may read, the interior of the vehicle, including the front seats, the steering wheel, and the original gear shift knob (which is included), represents a vehicle which boasts around 50-60k miles.

“It is incredibly clean, even by age standards. There is minimal wear anywhere you would expect. In fact the rear seats have likely never even been sat in and it shows.

“The interior has been treated to a pool ball white shift knob, which is a little bit shorter than the original (power ranger leg) and improves the feel of gear shift changes somewhat, and it has also been equipped with a lovely thick black suede with blue stitching gear shift gator.

“The electric mirror switch is brand new, and both the electric mirrors operate 100% in all directions, as do all of the electrics in the vehicle, including the traction control button, should you feel daring enough to switch that off.

“It really is quite a lovely, classy, and comfortable place to enjoy long cruises or short spirited journeys alike.”

The Mechanics

5,667cc LS1 330bhp V8 engine derived from the Corvette
6spd t56 Tremec gearbox with a factory fitted limited slip rear differential
New battery
All engine pulleys, tensioners and belts recently replaced
New bonnet struts
Complete set of Montani Racing silicone coolant hoses in blue (£3,000+)
Original plastic coolant T-piece replaced with brass unit
New heater matrix bypass valve
Fresh G12+ coolant throughout the system
Upgraded 8.5mm performance ignition leads from the USA
K&N 3.5" air filter with 4.5" pipework replacing the factory airbox
Brake calipers recently refurbished by "Big Red" in the UK
New EBC yellow stuff performance brake pads
Midrange sports tyres with plenty of tread remaining
Factory exhaust system with single back box delete for enhanced V8 sound
Starts promptly and idles well with strong power delivery
Advisories to note on MOT
All original parts present and can be given to the new owner should they with to take them

The vendor says:

“To help the engine breathe better a large K&N 3.5" air filter has been added in place of the factory air box with 4.5" pipework down to the 3.5" Air flow meter to the 3.5" air filter.

“It looks amazing and gives the car a much better note and increased throttle response improving the overall note of that wonderful Corvette V8 engine under the bonnet.

“The engine cover has been customised and painted to subtly show off the V8 intake manifold beneath it, and the factory strut bar has been painted to match.

“All in all, when you open the bonnet on this beauty, it is a show stopper and something to be proud of at any car show or local meets with crowds gathering around this rarely seen beast. “It is a NASCAR for the road. The CV8 Monaro has much success as a Race car, with special mentions as WINNING the BATHURST overall.

“The exhaust system is fully factory and is completely silent in stock form, so silent that you would find it hard to recognise that glorious v8 note from under the bonnet. On this particular example it has recently has a single back box deleted, which brings out some of that lovely v8 burble, with the occasional crackle on the overrun.

“It is a very addicting thing of pleasure if you like v8 noises. It is fitted with a complete set of Montani Racing silicone coolant hoses in blue (£3,000+) that are the only ones you can get for this vehicle anywhere in the world. And the only CV8 Monaro currently fitted with them. “They look fantastic and are blue in colour to match the vehicle.

“The coolant T piece has been changed from the original plastic to a Brand New brass T piece. The heater matrix bypass valve is brand new also, meaning that the entire cooling system hoses/pipes is entirely new.”

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