The car we know as the Vauxhall Monaro ... Hot on its heels came the VXR version. With 377bhp, more purposeful bodywork and larger wheels, it really established the Monaro as a player.

This is reckoned to be the best bit of autobahn around here, though to be honest I’ve seen better. For five or six miles it’s nearly flat and nearly straight. That’s fine at 125mph, but ...

If you really want to beat up Pontiac over the design they really couldn't do too much to alter the original. Although the hood scoops look more symmetrical on the Monaro.

6.0 litre 404PS 400bhp Corvettle LS2 powered Monaro VXR on sale in UK from March 2005 (silver car in pics). 530Nm torque. 180mph top speed. So faster even than Lotus Carlton and 'fastest ever' car ...