There aren’t a ton of great things to say about the Chevrolet Vega. The car rolled out as a reaction to soaring gasoline prices decades ago, and reliability was, well, not so great.
But, in 1975 and 1976, something special happened to the Vega. A 2.0-liter DOHC Cosworth four-cylinder found its way under the hood, paired to a Borg-Warner five-speed manual gearbox. The Cosworth Vega was born.
Bring A Trailer is currently seeing off this 1976 Cosworth Vega with only 44,000 miles after some light restoration was completed. The listing states the Vega had sat in a garage unattended for 33 years.
The 1976 Cosworth Vega has also been verified as legitimate, too. Gold pinstriping, wheels and other grille accents are all period correct. During the restoration process, the seller also put in a laundry list of original parts and took care of routine items such as new brake lines, rear wheel cylinders and remanufactured front calipers. New suspension hardware, A-arm bushings and bolts, OE springs and sway bars, and era-correct Koni shock absorbers are also present.
There’s only one day left to bid on this obscure piece of Chevrolet history, and right now the highest only sits at $12,900.
Comments
I had a metallic brown 1975 Chevy Vega Kammback Wagon, and it was a great car, no matter what you say abou it. I added new features, including a rear window wiper, making it unique. I sold it in 1985 to a Caramo racer who crashed his car, and offered to buy my Vega. He transplanted the Camaro V8 motor, transmission and rear end to ithe Vega, then won several races in that body.
As for the Vega Cosworth, I saw a yellow and black 1975 model in the shop where I usually bring my Vega. It was beautiful and well preserved.
I’ll give you a ton of things…
Let’s see what a few real car authorities have to say in retrospect
Motor Trend’s Frank Markus said after driving my 6k mile ’73 Vega GT in 2010, “After a few gentle miles, I begin to understand how this car won its awards and comparison tests.” “Well-maintained examples are great looking, nice-driving, economical classics—like Baltic Ave. with a Hotel, the best ones can be had for $10K or less.”
Motor Trend’s Frank Markus said after driving my 2k mile ’76 Cosworth Vega in 2013, “Stylish and historically significant but ridiculously overpriced in its day and ultimately a bit unfinished, the ultimate Vega now represents a serious collector bargain.”
Hemmings Classic Car editor Craig Fitzgerald said, “The idea that the 1971 to 1977 Chevrolet Vega was an unpopular lemon from day one is a myth.”
Hemmings Classic Car editor in chief Terry Shea said, “Chevrolet did save the best for last in the form of the sublime Cosworth Vega, a sports car with an exotic double-overhead-cam, 16-valve, four cylinder engine; a suspension to match and sophistication decades ahead of most other cars.”
Cars in Depth May 26, 2013 said, “GM is not ashamed of the Vega and they have one on display at the GM Heritage Center.”
Portraits of Automotive History “Falling Star: The Checkered History of the Chevrolet Vega” editor Aaron Severson said, “As with the Corvair, any statements about the Vega’s failure have to be carefully qualified. Chevrolet sold more than 2 million Vegas during its seven-year lifespan, which is excellent by any standards. During the difficult period of the OPEC embargo — which briefly made big cars almost unsaleable — Chevrolet sold all the Vegas they could build.”
here’s a ton..you asked for this
Turns out everyone liked the Vega, even Car and Driver. Motor Trend still backs up its choice of the Vega for 1971 Car of the Year.
Motor Trend Classic in 2010 said, “Chevrolet spun the Vega as a more American, upscale car. And let’s face it, the car looked hot. So can you blame us for falling hook, line, and sinker for the Vega and naming it 1971’s Car of the Year?”
Motor Trend Classic in 2013 said, “Overblown. The China Syndrome might have overhyped the TMI (Three-Mile Island) incident as bad press might have exaggerated the Vega’s woes.”
GM has the first Vega on display at the GM Heritage Center. GM is proud of the car and its advanced technology. Chevrolet made good on the early damaged engines and unprotected front fenders, let it be told.
Vega Reviews
“As a final observation, I think the Vega is beyond a doubt the best handling passenger car ever built in the U.S. It has many other good qualities, but the roadholding impressed and surprised me most of all.”
Road & Track September 1970
“…one can only conclude that Vega to date has the edge in the mini-car race.”
Road Test September 1970
“When it comes to handling, naturally the Vega with fat tires and ant-roll bars was on top, but such “speed equipment” is not even listed for the others. In maximum cornering force the Vega was right up there with muscular pony cars, and the Pinto maybe likewise with the same parts — but the Gremlin needs other help.”
Sports Car Graphic September 1970, “Tri-testing the…Pinto, Vega & Gremlin”
“The Vega, while enjoyable to drive, is a more serious car. It’s faster, more comfortable, quieter and better riding than either the Pinto or VW while still delivering respectable fuel economy. It carries a higher base price, but includes a lot more standard equipment than the others, some of which is part of the basic structure and isn’t even available optionally on the lower-priced cars.”
Motor Trend January 1971 in a Vega-Pinto-Beetle comparison
Car and Driiver awarded top pick to the Vega above the Ford Pinto, AMC Gremlin, VW Beetle, Toyota Corolla and Chrysler Simca. C&D said: “The Vega was the most expensive car in the test by almost $300 but the Vega’s virtues are nicely in proportion to its price and it was the unanimous favorite.” “The Vega is an excellent combination of performance and economy.” “It’s a car for all occasions.”
Car and Driver January 1971
” So, the Chevrolet Vega 2300 is Motor Trend’s 1971 Car of the Year by way of engineering excellence, packaging, styling, and timeliness. As such, we are saying that, for the money, no other American car can deliver more.
Motor Trend February 1971
“…a smog-clean turbocharged Vega will destroy any of the old “classic” performance cars in the quarter-mile.” “you can put a 140-cubic inch engine car through a quarter in the low-fifteens for only $700…”
Motor Trend April 1971
“One Vega and one Pinto have survived 15,000 miles at the hands of the Car and Driver staff…And the test stretched over nine months…with no major mechanical failures—an indication of the soundness of their basic engineering.”
“If, in your travels, you spend more time on the open road and you agree with GM’s sense of sheetmetal fashion, the Vega is a better choice.”
Car and Driver November 1971
“In fact, if picking the best Super coupe were purely a matter of styling, the Vega would win hands down without ever turning a wheel.” “That division’s smallest model has an optional engine, fat polyglas tires on wide styled wheels and a special handling package, all surrounded by the sleekest styling package this side of Turin.”
Car and Driver December 1971 6-Car Comparison Test of 1972 Super Coupes – Vega GT, Pinto Runabout, Opel 1900 Rallye, Mazda RX-2, Capri 2000, and Toyota Celica,
“Engineering and styling the Vega from scratch in four different body styles was a total effort far more demanding in manpower than the Pinto or Gremlin programs.” “Vegas, in summary, are a striking quartet.”
Motor Trend ’71 Buyers Guide
Motor Trend in comparison test “Back Door To Economy” chose the Vega GT best car over the Ford Pinto Runabout and Gremlin X saying, “Even extended trips do not induce excessive driver fatigue and that is one reason why it was the Car of the Year in 1971.” “Which car is best? Vega. In spite of Gremlin’s marked improvement in quality control, Chevy has had it all along.”
Motor Trend, 1972
“Back when we carried the ’72 introduction features, we named the Vega GT as our “Best Buy” pick of the Chevrolet line. We just couldn’t pick any other model.”
Hot Rod magazine March 1972
“The Vega GT is a damn nice little car with plenty of room, great handling, and a pretty high level of overall finish” Super Stock July 1972
“It’s either the sportiest economy car in the world or the most economical sports car in the world.”
Small Cars 1972
“At the conclusion of your test drive, you’ll probably realize as we did that the Vega GT in a lot of respects is as close to a true GT as a car can get, but on the other hand, as much an Americanized compact as the Pinto or Gremlin.”
Cars International 1972
“When you consider the various aspects of the Vega you could easily come to the conclusion that it’s quite an automobile, which it is.”
Road Test December 1972
“Few will deny that Vega is an excellent car. It has all it takes to make a successful package: styling, superior handling, above-average power, and passenger comfort on a par with anything else in its class. Its quality, after a shaky start, is the best in GM,”
Motor Trend ’72 Buyers Guide
Motor Trend awarded the Vega GT 1973 Economy Car of the Year. The Vega was judged solid, warm and comfortable, with a good finish.” “Pleasing the American car buyer is a delicate task. Economy really means economy with an illusion of luxury. This time Chevrolet won the guessing game.”
Motor Trend February 1973
“The Vega is smaller, more nimble, and more sporting and has generated more technical interest than the rest of the maker’s line since the 1963 Corvette.” “The design and the concept are sound, just as Chevrolet intended and as the buyers hoped.” “Vega 2300 Owner Survey, Road & Track June 1973
“… the Vega does better on the skidpad than every other car in our test summary except the Jaguar XJ6, very select company indeed. It also outdoes the ’73 Corvette on its radials in this particular test.” it’s a pleasure to report the current Vega is attractive, respectably quick, and frugal-and it’s the best highway car in class. Well done Chevrolet..”
Road & Track June 1973
“For those who feel that sheer raw cornering power is an essential ingredient to make an interesting car, a stint behind the wheel of a well equipped Vega will be a real eye opener.”
Road Test August 1973
” So, Chevrolet has a wide base with its Vega range, from rock bottom economy trim to street racer, and the car’s basic soundness plus wide dealer network mean an overall dependability that must be appealing to many Americans.”
Road & Track 1974 “Fuel saver”
Car and Driver in a “On-the-Track Comparison Test: Twelve 1974 Showroom Stock Sedans” — Vega GT, Fiat 124TC, Mazda 808, Dodge Colt, Opel 1.9-Liter Sedan, Subaru 1400 GL, Datsun 710, Fiat 128, Honda Civic, Datsun 610, Datsun B-210, and Toyota Corolla 1600. In this track test of twelve top Showroom Stock contenders. the Vega GT had the quickest lap (Lime Rock Park: 1 minute, 17.4 seconds). “The Vega demands a sharp pilot, but it can be a winner.”
Car and Driver, 1974
“…this was the Vega at is best with its optional handling package and wide radial tires, will just match the Spitfire with radials in steady-state cornering power.” “…without them (radials), the Spitfire can’t hold a candle to the Vega in handling.” “And what’s the conclusion here? If you want wind around your head, get the Spitfire; if you want the better machine, get the Vega.”
Road & Track June 1974, “Sports Cars vs Sports Sedans” i
“The lone Vega outran every single Opel, Colt, Pinto, Datsun, Toyota and Subaru in Car and Driver’s SS/Sedan Challenge III” “You have to admire a car like that. If it wins, it must be the best, never mind all of the horror stories you hear, some of them from me.” Car and Driver’s Patrick Bedard, 1975
“Overall the GT really did impress us. From a standpoint of economy, quality features, handling and braking, the Vega is a winner.”
Chevy Action, 1975
“The Cosworth Vega 16-valve four cylinder is the most sophisticated engine Detroit ever made” “Through the woods or down a mountain, the Cosworth is a feisty aggressor willing, if not altogether able to take on the world’s best GT cars.”
Car and Driver October 1975
Furthermore, fuel economy for the three test Vegas averaged 28.9 mpg over the duration of the run, while oil was used at the rate of only one quart every 3400 miles. All three 1976 Vegas completed the total 180,000 miles with only one “reliability” incident — a broken timing belt was recorded.”
Motor Trend February 1976
“The results are in Figure 2. Read ’em and weep, all you foreign-is-better nuts, because right there at the top, and by a long way at that, is the Cosworth Vega. It had the fastest 0-60 time, the fastest quarter-mile time, and tied with the Saab for the shortest braking distance”.
Road Test October 1976 “The Great Supercoupe Shootout” — Alfa vs. Mazda vs. Lancia vs. Saab vs. Cosworth Vega
“As with the Corvair, any statements about the Vega’s failure have to be carefully qualified. Chevrolet sold more than 2 million Vegas during its seven-year lifespan, which is excellent by any standards. — Chevrolet sold all the Vegas they could build.”
Portraits of Automotive History October 10, 2009 “Falling Star: The Checkered History of the Chevrolet Vega”
“After a few gentle miles, I begin to understand how this car (Vega) won its awards and comparison tests.” “Well-maintained examples are great looking, nice-driving, economical classics.” “Emotionally, Jim Brokaw summed it up in January 1972: Gremlin has power, but Pinto has the price, and a much quieter ride. Which car is best? Vega.”
Motor Trend Classic in the Fall 2010
“The much-maligned Chevrolet Vega was ahead of its time, advancing new technology in an industry that desperately needed it in the 1970s.”Small, attractive, economical to buy and efficient to own, the sporty and thrifty little car marked big changes at GM, upending nearly 60 years of the way Chevrolet did business.”
Hemmings Classic Car March 2014
Had enough yet? here’s some more of that ton
VEGA HANDLING —Quotes from Car and Driver, Car Life, Cars International, Chevy Action, Hemmings Classic Car, Hot Rod, Motorcade, Motor Trend, Motor Trend Classic, Road Test, Road & Track, Road & Traffic, Small Cars, Sports Car Graphic, Super Stock, and Wheels.
“In normal driving, with curves of the type you’ll find on mountain highways, the car has a refreshing neutral steering that escapes beautifully from the normal understeer rut found in many compacts. It is so pleasant you begin to feel the togetherness with the car..Some cars get a little scary the faster you push them; this one is just the opposite, the handling improves. Everything is always pressed down flat in the corners, there’s no roll steer of any kind, tied in with car’s refreshing neutral steering give the GT some exciting handling characteristics;” “In summary the Vega GT comes close to what a racing GT car should be, in handling, performance and comfort. Because it’s basically a low-priced compact, the results are all the more surprising and rewarding.”
Bill Sanders, Motor Trend, August 1970.
“The wagon’s moderate understeer is easily compensated by quick steering and once a line is established through a turn, the car follows quite politely. As in the base sedan, the roll rate is constant and does not generate any last minute surprises in the turn.
Jim Brokaw, Motor Trend August 1970.
“It has far and away the best handling of anything in its class. In fact it handles better than many sports cars.” “This car will out-handle almost any sports car built in Europe. Not just little cars, but sports cars too.”
John DeLorean, Motor Trend, August 1970.
“All three Vegas handled very well, and the sharp white coupe even more so. It was enhanced with the “performance” engine and a four-speed stick, but it was the very sporting way one could throw it around mountain curves that made it a favorite.”
“John Bond, publisher of Road and Track and Car Life, who’d never been overly fond of American automobiles said he thought the Vega handled better than any economy car he’d ever driven.”
Motorcade August 1970
“The most impressive part of the trip was the cornering power of the three Vegas. None of the other cars could begin to keep up.”
“Chevy engineers say that in a steady state cornering situation a Vega equipped with the handling package will generate a one G lateral acceleration with a roll angle of only six degrees. Wow. These figures are fantastic — even better than a Corvette.”
Car Life, September 1970.
“The most impressive part of the trip was the cornering power of the three Vegas. None of the other cars could begin to keep up. (Chevy Vega coupe, sedan and wagon, Ford Maverick, Toyota Corona VW Beetle 1600)
Car Life, September 1970
“When it comes to handling, naturally the Vega with fat tires and ant-roll bars was on top, but such “speed equipment” is not even listed for the others. In maximum cornering force the Vega was right up there with muscular pony cars,
Sports Car Graphic, September 1970
“As a final observation, I think the Vega is beyond a doubt the best handling passenger car ever built in the U.S. It has many other good qualities, but the roadholding impressed and surprised me most of all.”
John R. Bond, Road & Track, September 1970.
“The Vega in standard form rides and handles very well indeed.” “Although as we said the standard Vega handles well, the optioned one is just that much better and the enthusiastic driver will want to specify this $131 option. The wider tires and wheels contribute extra cornering power and the front-rear anti-roll bars are tuned to give less body roll and a crisper feel without affecting the lovely neutrality of the handling characteristics.”
Road & Track, November 1970
“Our test car in corners was almost completely neutral. On straightaway ride over fairly rough roads, you were vaguely aware that you weren’t far off the ground. Leave it be with that statement. The Vega felt more like a typical small sports car than a Detroit sedan, however small.” “With the inexpensive handling package, our test car has no peers in the cornering department. Fast turns are level, safe and normal.”
Road Test November 1970.
“Handling is one of the Vega’s highest points. It squirts through high-speed turns or around sharp corners with almost neutral steering, although foolish executions or sharp changes will bring on understeer. While the front wheels are still in command, the most predominant feel is one of oversteer. It is only a hint, but a welcome one.”
Hot Rod November 1970
“…the Vega is notable for its good handling: it’s as near neutral as as sedan can be and still be safe for the average driver and the spring-shock calibrations are good enough that the car can be driven briskly over a variety of road surfaces without awkwardness.
Road & Track January 1971
“That you can actually purchase a normal car that will handle nearly as well as the higher priced GT version, the straight-as-a-plumb-line-stopping disc/drum brakes and all. And, in the U.S. of A. it’s been very hard to find that in the last ten years.”
Motor Trend, February 1971
“There’s one thing the Vega will (hopefully) do for the North American driver, and that’s to educate him on the joys of good handling. He might not be persuaded to buy the Vega for this reason, but once behind the wheel, he’ll discover something not known in his previous Impala/Galaxie/Fury. The Vega just might have a hand in an automotive renaissance.”
Road and Traffic April 1971
“The Vega was the quickest around the skidpad (0.75G) by a good margin and it is a very tolerant car at its limit. It is closest to neutral of all the Super Coupes.” (Vega GT, Pinto Runabout, Opel 1900 Rallye, Mazda RX-2, Capri 2000, and Toyota Celica)
Car and Driver December 1971
“Out on the ride and handling course at Raceway Park, the Vega could come storming around bends flat out in a four-wheel drift in a completely neutral attitude with very little lean thanks to the front and rear sway bars.”
Small Cars Road Test, 1972
“We were surprised to find the GT Kammback didn’t handle any better than the car we had last year. It really didn’t bend around corners as well. It seems softer sprung and we know it has a higher ride height..The GT Vega is controllable and predictable. About the only thing that could really make the car handle poorly would be a heavier engine and/or 300 horsepower.”
Hot Rod, March 1972
“The Vega’s handling is excellent even without the optional suspension package. The car is inherently well-balanced and, at 0.75G, was matched only by the Opel on the skidpad.” (Chevrolet Vega, Datsun 510, Dodge Colt, Fiat 124, Ford Pinto, Opel 1900, Renault 12 TL, Toyota Corona, and Volkswagen Super Beetle)
Car and Driver, May 1972
“We had chosen a Vega as the (tire) test car because it was one of the few Showroom Stockers with handling balanced enough that we could be sure it was the tires we were testing and not some quirk of the car. For example, some of the other SS Sedans are limited on the skidpad because they lift an inside rear wheel and consequently wouldn’t circulate any faster even on Can-Am tires.”
Car and Driver, June 1972
“The Vega GT has an awful lot of good things going for it in the chassis department, as well. The car was engineered from the beginning to handle and stop as well as possible for the size and price class its in, and the engineers did the right thing in almost every area.””On banked turns, flat tight turns, and curves, the Vega handled beautifully with a minimum steering effort.”
Super Stock, July 1972
“As for the handling…you’ve got a car that’ll run curves around any other station wagon and put many an import in the weeds.” (Vega GT wagon)
Cars International, 1972
“With these tires (BR70-13) the Vega does better on the skidpad than every other car in our test summary except the Jaguar XJ6, very select company indeed. It also outdoes the ’73 Corvette on its radials in this particular test.”
Road & Track June 1973
“To our surprise it even handles on a par with European style family sedans — and of course it accelerates better than European or Japanese rivals at the price due to the 2.3 litres.”
Wheels, January 1973
“For those who feel that sheer raw cornering power is an essential ingredient to make an interesting car, a stint behind the wheel of a well equipped Vega will be a real eye opener. There they will learn what sheer raw cornering power feels like.” “The Vega could be thrown into just about any kind of turn with full expectation of making it through;” “the cornering force developed was far beyond expectation.” (Vega GT)
Road Test, August 1973
“The suspension roll resistance has been redistributed toward the front to give more understeer than the standard Vega handling package—anti roll bar diameters are 0.900 in. front, 0.625 in. rear vs 0.875 and 0.750—to keep the car tame with its greatly increased power. It works—the Cosworth Vega corners flat and fast and its simple work to corner in just the attitude one wants it to.”
Road & Track, October 1973.
“Vega handling is just like its always been—excellent—and the suspension changes necessitated by the heavier ’74 bumpers seem to have done the job.
Motor Trend, January 1974
“The Vega GT had the quickest lap (Lime Rock Park: 1 minute, 17.4 seconds) “Handling is the Vega’s strong suit. The car corners strongly with neither awkward roll angles nor the heavy understeer that keeps many more powerful Showroom Stock Sedans in back of the pack.” (12-car comparison – Vega GT, Fiat 124TC, Mazda 808, Dodge Colt, Opel 1.9-Liter Sedan, Subaru 1400 GL, Datsun 710, Fiat 128, Honda Civic, Datsun 610, Datsun B-210, and Toyota Corolla 1600.)
Car and Driver, 1974
“With optional handling package and radial tires, (which improve fuel economy) the Vega takes to the skidpad nearly as well as the Jaquar XJ6, select company indeed.”
Road & Track, April 1974
“What we have here is a car that will cut and run with the best of them. It is a natural on a road course, sure footed and fleet, with a sense of balance that you rarely find in a sedan. A most vivid measure of the Vega’a handling is that it was third fastest (2:01.25) around Riverside and yet the poorest of the group in acceleration. It is the best-handling of all the Super Coupes” (Mazda RX-2, Opel Manta Rallye, Toyota Celica GT, Capri 2800, Vega GT and Mustang II Mach I.)
Car and Driver May 1974
“The selection of the (tire) test car was staightforward. The Cosworth Twin Cam Vega is specifically designed for sporting driving. The well-balanced suspension allows investigation of the individual tire characteristics at higher speeds and under more varied conditions than would be possible with almost any other small car.”
Car and Driver June 1974
“We selected the Vega Notchback because of its superior handling and asked Chevrolet to supply the sportiest thing they could build for $3,100, a price chosen to match the expected 1974 Spitfire’s.” “…this was the Vega at is best with its optional handling package and wide radial tires, will just match the Spitfire with radials in steady-state cornering power.” “…without them (radials), the Spitfire can’t hold a candle to the Vega in handling.”
Road & Track, June 1974
“Handling-wise the Vega GT has it all over its competitors. It corners flat, has excellent directional stability and its front and rear sway bars really keep the act together.”
Chevy Action, 1975
“The lone Vega outran every single Opel, Colt, Pinto, Datsun, Toyota and Subaru on the starting grid.” ” this Vega GT faced off against 31 other well-driven showroom stocks and it had finished first You have to admire a car like that. If it wins, it must be the best, never mind all of the horror stories you hear, some of them from me.”
Patrick Bedard, Car and Driver, January 1975
“As quick as the lil’ black Vega is in a straight line, it would be a big mistake to use one as a straight-line machine. The car’s forte is a nice, winding road. The sort of place you don’t see jacked-up Road Runners with drag slicks. This is where the Cosworth really shines. At moderate speeds, the car is as close to neutral handling as any American car I have ever driven”
“The outstanding feature of the Cosworth Vega is its excellent balance..Roll-stiffness distribution is ideal, with little understeer entering a turn, and just the right amount of drift from the tail as you put your foot down to exit.”
Car and Driver, October 1975.
“The Cosworth Vega’s handling is very good. All the drivers agreed that it is a far better handling car than those Vega derivatives that have been fitted out with V6 or V8 engines.”
Road & Track, March 1976
“Once at speed, the Cosworth simply goes where you point it without any noticeable understeer or oversteer. Just point and go,”
Hemmings Classic Car, December 2007
What did you say? There aren’t a ton of great things to say about the Chevrolet Vega. I thought that’s what you said..
I had a great car in a 74 Vega GT with the steel sleeved engine .it handled great and was actually more reliable than it was given credit. I look back and wish i still had that one. I have another 74 GT with a 327 and 5 speed but i miss the fuel economy at times. I do enjoy the difference in HP though.
“It had done the job-this Vega GT faced off against 31 other well-driven showroom stocks and it had finished first…no matter how good a driver Don Knowles was and no matter how quick his Opel, he wasn’t going to get by if the Vega simply stayed alive. Which it did. You have to admire a car like that. If it wins, it must be the best, never mind all of the horror stories you hear, some of them from me.”
Patrick Bedard, Car and Driver, January 1975
“As for the Vega, kudos to Chevrolet for finally making this car what it should have been in the first place by hard work in refining the details. It’s now quieter, quicker, and more economical than the first year (1971) Vega was—and as you must realize by now that is quite an accomplishment. The price is still attractive too, and note that our ’73 test car (with optional wide wheels and tires) had cornering power solidly into the sportscar class.”
Road & Track December 1973
“Which car is best? Vega. In spite of Gremlin’s marked improvement in quality control, Chevy has had it all along. Even extended trips do not induce excessive driver fatigue and that is one reason why it was the Car of the Year in 1971.”
Motor Trend, January 1972
Hi Sean Are you enjoying your auto lessons. here’s more..
“Believe it or not, this one’s all new, and it represents hundreds of millions of dollars to General Motors and Chevrolet. After driving it, we think it was worth the price and effort….the as-sold car is something better than we ever expected. Acceleration is below the 1-G level on takeoff, but it will get moving relatively quick, and top speed of the L11-engined (110-hp) Vega is right around 100 mph.”
Hot Rod, October 1970
“The Cosworth Vega 16-valve four cylinder is the most sophisticated engine Detroit ever made. Yet the men who created this mechanical work of art and the public that patiently waited its arrival must regard the car in a different light. They will not soon forget the record gestation period: five long years from concept to customer.”
Car and Driver, October 1975
With these tires (BR70-13) the Vega does better on the skidpad than every other car in our test summary except the Jaguar XJ6, very select company indeed. It also outdoes the ’73 Corvette on its radials in this particular test.”
Road & Track June 1973
“15 Cars to own in a Gas Crisis” 10: Vega Wagon 27.083 mpg. “The ’73 Vegas are damn good cars and with all of their other qualities, mileage is fine.”
Motor Trend August 1973
Oh Sean, This is only a sampling..