2005 Holden CV8 Z Monaro Coupe

From 1968 Holden’s original Monaro sports coupe became a legend over its initial 10-year production run. But it took another 20 years for the badge to be revived, with the unveiling of a concept car based on the then-current Commodore platform 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 ‘new’ Monaro appeared in Holden dealer’s showrooms around the country. Using a modified VT Commodore platform, this 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 adapted to create a sleek, understated coupe that was almost universally loved. 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, followed by a Series III model in August 2003. The Monaro’s swansong was the VZ launched in September 2004 with the most significant chance to the original design yet, inspired by Pontiac’s GTO. Improvements under the twin-nostril bonnet included more power and a revised six-speed manual transmission and Holden released a strictly limited run of just 1200 CV8-Zs in August 2005 in the hero Fusion colour. The last of the line, the CV8-Z came with special features like a factory sunroof, darker taillights, blacked-out bonnet scoops, plus unique alloy wheels and badging. Even if its own demise didn’t kick start collector interest in the last-ever Monaro, GM-H’s subsequent withdrawal from local manufacturing has certainly guaranteed that interest.