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Holden Monaro reborn: One-off ‘Project Monaro’ revealed

Holden has brought the 2004 Monaro back to life – but you won't be able to buy one at your local dealer.


It's been 14 years since production of the Monaro ended, and Holden hasn't built a car in Australia since October 2017 – with that in mind, the legendary two-door muscle car won't be making a comeback for 2020.

But Holden, working alongside a number of Australian suppliers, has given a 2004 Monaro CV8 with more than 210,000km on the clock a new lease on life.

Project Monaro is a five-month labour of love that's been treated to a ground-up rebuild and a few choice modifications.

Under the bonnet is the original LS1 V8 engine, but it's been completely rebuilt by the ACDelco Pro Slammer Monaro drag racing team – and treated to a new Chevrolet Performance camshaft and some 'finessing' on the cylinder head for a bit of extra performance.

It breathes through a North American-spec Pontiac GTO exhaust for more noise, and a touch more power. The Monaro CV8 had 260kW and 500Nm in 2004, Holden hasn't offered a power figure for the updated engine.

That grunt will be put to the rear wheels through a rebuilt version of the original automatic transmission.

Under the skin is a set of AP Racing brakes borrowed from HSV models of the mid-2000s, and the suspension has been upgraded by Sachs Performance working in conjunction with the Red Bull Race Engineering team.

Externally you'll be able to spot Project Monaro by its Panorama Blue Suede paint, developed and applied in Melbourne, and the unique wheels. They're wrapped in modern Bridgestone S007A tyres, to make sure all the car's power can be put to the ground.

There's also a unique bonnet, a racy lip spoiler, and a subtle bodykit, along with the usual smattering of plaques and badges.

The standard interior has been reworked by Auto Image Interiors, and now features seats trimmed in white and blue, two-tone trims on the doors, blue highlights around the instrument binnacle, and one-off remakes of the original badges.

The dashboard is signed by Craig Lowndes, legendary V8 Supercars driver, who described the project as "a one of a kind Holden Monaro" which "drives incredibly well".

Project Monaro will be offered as a prize for anyone who visits a Holden dealer service centre, or buys either Holden Genuine or ACDelco parts before March 31, 2020.

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