2004 Holden CV8 Monaro

Description

Starting in 1968, Holden’s original Monaro sports coupe created a legend over its ten-year production run but it took another twenty years for the badge to be revived, with the unveiling of a concept car based on the then-current Commodore at the 1998 Sydney Motor Show.  Styled by Mike Simcoe and his design team, the reaction was better than hoped for and within three years a fully-fledged production version of the Monaro appeared in Holden dealer’s showrooms around the country.  Using a modified VT Commodore platform, the Monaro was basically a standard SS from the A-pillar forward but the overall length was reduced by 100mm, the roofline lowered and the VT’s curvaceous lines perfectly adapted to create a sleek, understated coupe that was almost universally admired.  Holden initially offered the Monaro in two versions – the supercharged CV6 and a 5.7-litre CV8, the latter available with the choice of either six-speed manual or four-speed auto gearboxes.  Updated after a year with the arrival of the revised VY Commodore in December 2002, the so-called Series II came with a revised dashboard and other bespoke touches like the unique gearknob.  The final upgrade of the V2 Monaro’s original – and to many pundits eyes purest – shape took place in August 2003 with the arrival of the updated Series III, with fresh alloy wheels, more powerful (245kW) version of the LS1 V8 and various interior improvements.  Touted as a future classic for some time, interest in the V2 Monaro in all its various forms has been rising in recent years.  With the last examples rolling off the production lines almost 13 years ago and the end of local Holden production, there’s no doubt the Monaro is starting to gain serious traction as a collectible in its own right.