There’s no such thing as an undesirable Monaro, but a VXR500? Now we’re talking!
For those who don’t think of 2006 as being that long ago, consider the Vauxhall Monaro VXR500 as proof of how the world has changed. And not necessarily for the better, either. To bid farewell to the Monaro ahead of the VXR8’s arrival, Vauxhall UK collaborated with Greens Vauxhall to create an officially backed supercharger package – because nothing says au revoir quite as effectively as a shedload of extra power.
It gets better, too: Greens said the Harrop supercharger package would be safe for 600hp, but for the sake of the name Vauxhall stuck with a nice, round 500. With a warranty, too. And then charged less money for it than standard. Yep, in 2006, a standard V8 Monaro cost £36,995 – a VXR500 like this one was £35,995. Marvellous.
It was even quite good. Press cars were fitted with optional suspension and brake upgrades that sent the price soaring to £40k (that’s sarcasm, don’t worry), but spoke of a car largely able to keep check on the BMW M6-rivalling power output. Equipped with a tweaked exhaust and a short-shift kit also, the Monaro was every inch the big hearted, broad chested muscle car, yet with some real ability to back it up.
It won’t be a shock to anyone that the model is starting to appreciate as they creep closer to classic status; once upon a time sub-£10k cars seemed plentiful, but not any longer. Unsurprisingly the VXR500s are the most desirable, given their rarity (just 18 were sold), additional power and status as the very last model.
This one is absolutely immaculate. Fitted with all the extras recommended at the time – Wortec exhaust, uprated suspension, AP Racing brakes and the short shift kit – this VXR500 has somehow only covered 14,000 miles in 13 years. With services every year it hasn’t been SORNd, this must be one of the best condition vehicles available from 2006 – leave alone Monaros in particular.
As a result it’s for sale at £44,495, or near enough £10k more than its new price. You don’t need us to tell you that’s more than any other Monaro or VXR8 currently on PH by some margin (it’s the same price as some Lotus Carltons, in fact), though none of those cars will be quite as significant or as rare as a 500. And yes, you could buy a cheaper car and overhaul it yourself to create something similar, but then it wouldn’t be the car that marked the end of Monaros in the UK and had official backing. It would just be a modified Monaro.
So while it will look a lot to some for a 13 year-old Vauxhall – particularly with the wealth of newer V8 alternatives available – there are surely enough fans of the breed in the UK for this Monaro to find a buyer. Horrible cliche though it will sound, there isn’t going to be a better one…
SPECIFICATION – VAUXHALL MONARO VXR500
Engine: 5,967cc, supercharged V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 500@6,400rpm
Torque (lb ft): 500@3,200rpm
MPG: 19.5
CO2: Plenty
First registered: 2006
Recorded mileage: 14,371
Price new: £35,995
Yours for: £44,495
See the original advert here.
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