√UK Holden Monaro sold at super-low price as Aussie muscle-car values soar locally

Australian buyers are broadening their horizons and searching overseas for iconic muscle cars to overcome rising prices locally.

The search for rare and collectible Australian muscle cars has headed overseas as buyers drive-up prices locally.

A 2005 Holden Monaro – sold in the UK as a Vauxhall (General Motors’ British brand at the time) – sold online less than 24 hours after it was posted for sale.

The silver example – which had travelled 67,000 miles (107,000km) – was listed for £8995, which translates to about $17,500 in Australian currency.

That’s about one-third of the price of similar examples of the same car in Australia.

Online listings in Australia for 2005 Holden Monaro coupes range from $50,000 to $80,000, and some are advertised for up to $100,000.

Although photos show the UK car is not immaculate, the price is a much better starting point for future collectors – and leaves plenty of money for restoration.

The modern Holden Monaro was manufactured in Australia from 2001 to 2005 and was exported to the US as a Pontiac, the UK as a Vauxhall, and the Middle East as a Chevrolet.

Holden kept the vehicle in production for Holden Special Vehicles and for the US market.

Historical data shows the Holden Monaro-badged example rolled off the production line in Elizabeth, South Australia, in December 2005.

However, it remained in production for Holden Special Vehicles and export markets until 14 June 2006.

The last Holden-badged Monaro (pictured above) was sold on eBay for $187,355.55 on 19 February 2006 (three times the retail price at the time) and all money raised was donated to the Leukaemia Foundation.