Vauxhall Monaro

YEAR 2004-2007 PRICE £6500-£15,000

The Chevrolet small-block V8 is an automotive phenomenon. It is to the motoring world what the little black dress is to fashion: enduring and iconic. Between 1955 and 2003, close to 100 million small-block V8s were built for use in competition cars, sports cars, saloons, SUVS, trucks, hot rods and any number of homemade conversions. Having ignited the muscle car movement, it is the reason Americans fell in love with the V8. In fact, considering its longevity, its enormous range of applications and the regard it’s held in among enthusiasts, the small-block might well be the most culturally significant internal combustion engine of all time.

A huge number of small-block derivatives were built with various displacements and power outputs, but the basic design of the block didn’t change for 48 years. One of the surest, most hassle-free ways into small-block ownership in the UK comes via Australia in the shape of the Vauxhall Monaro, a rebadged Holden.

Strictly speaking, the Monaro didn’t actually use the original Chevrolet small-block but instead that engine’s immediate successor, the LS (which is still considered a small-block V8). Making its UK debut in 2004, the Monaro was powered by either a 5.7-litre with 328bhp or a 6.0-litre that developed 376bhp. These brawny, high-capacity V8s often feel less potent than their massive displacements would suggest, typically because they drive through very long gear ratios, but the thunderous V 8 soundtrack and traction def eating torque do endow the Mona row i than authentic muscle car character.

Soggy UK weather and salted winter roads are causing some cars to rust. The all-aluminium engines are proving to be bulletproof, though. Monaros are a rare sight on our roads and don’t come up for sale very often, but 5.7-litre cars can be found at £6500. For a piece of motoring folklore, that’s a bargain.