Between 1975 and 1976, GM produced a limited-run, high-performance version of its subcompact Chevrolet Vega. Working in conjunction with British automotive engineering company Cosworth, the resulting Chevrolet Cosworth Vega was a high-strung, lightweight sport compact tuned to deliver maximum driving thrills behind the wheel. Now, a seemingly pristine example of this rare vehicle is up for sale.
This particular Cosworth Vega is garage-kept and boasts less than 3,000 miles on the clock. It’s all-original, with the exception of the battery and oil filter.
Eagle-eyed readers will no doubt notice that the car rides on a set of non-original mag wheels. The owner explains that these were fitted to preserve the original gold-finished rollers, which were stored in the owner’s garage for maximum long-term shine.
The backstory on this Cosworth Vega is that it was originally a dealer vehicle that sat on display in the main showroom for years. The dealer wanted to show off the unique Cosworth engine, so the hood was removed for easy access. Unfortunately, the technician that reinstalled the hood accidentally dinged the paint in the process, but beyond that, the exterior looks more or less immaculate.
Ditto for the interior. The upholstery has barely any wear, and the eye-grabbing gold dash looks phenomenal as well.
Of course, the most enticing bit on the Cosworth Vega is the 2.0L inline four-cylinder engine. Created as a joint project between Chevrolet and Cosworth, the engine was hand-assembled and looks phenomenal in the engine bay.
Utilizing an aluminum block, 16 valves, double overhead cams and electronic fuel injection, this ‘four loves to rev. Output is rated at 110 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 107 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm, which is sent to the rear axle through a four-speed manual transmission.
As the story goes, the Cosworth Vega saw production that was even more limited than Chevrolet had originally intended. When it was first introduced, the starting price was set just $900 shy of the Corvette; this particular example was only $500 shy. As such, very few people bought it, with just 2,061 examples sold in 1975. And these days, that makes it a rare find.
This particular Cosworth Vega is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and listed for sale on Craigslist for a rather hefty $23,000.
It’s expensive, no doubt, but considering the vehicle’s rarity, condition, low mileage, and extensive backing documentation, it’s probably worth it.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Source: Craigslist
Comments
Someone in the car club I belonged to in IL when I still lived there had one of these. In fact, I only read this article to see where the car was located for sale, thinking it may be his. Cool little old car.
Nice little rwd compact. Better than the fwd crap.
Sadly, due to emissions restrictions, etc. the Cosworth DOHC coss flow head, and tube header “raised” the output to 110hp…the same figure the ’71 Vega GT was rated at, with a less expensive SOHC mass produced head. Progress, huh?
These were good looking little cars and highly underrated. My first car back in 1984 was a 1975 Vega GT. After two years I swapped the little four banger for a Buick 231 V6. It was a great car and pretty quick for the time. I also owned a 1975 Cosworth model exactly like this one but with the more rare white interior back in the early 90’s. Sold it due to life events like having kids and buying a home but it was a beautiful unmolested car with 16K miles on the odometer. I’ve owned 7 Chevy Vega’s over my lifetime and I’m sure there’s another one in my future. I honestly never understood the horribly bad rap these cars got. They’ll always be near and dear to me.
Vega was CRAP!!. whether it was stock or Cosworth.
Best you could do was melt it down & make a set of storage shelves.
Even the lowly Pinto beats this scrap pile!
I am sure Cosworth regrets going in with Chevy on this deal!
Yes and no. I put a 327 V-8 in my ’74 Vega with ALL chevrolet parts from the Monza. See, Monza was sold with a 305 V-8 with an upgraded rear end (the auto had a 2.29:1 ratio!) and the Monza was built on the Vega frame (such as it was, being a unibody). That little Vega was turning 2500 rpm at 100 and would smoke the Trans Ams and C-3s of the day.
The biggest issues with the car were the brakes (uber crappy!) and aeros. It started to fly at around 130 mph and I had to learn heel-toe as the brakes alone wouldn’t slow that thing down.
The Cosworth cylinder head itself was an excellent design. The big problem with that engine was the hand-grenade-like aluminum cylinder block which didn’t use iron liners as with other aluminum blocks; the pistons and piston rings rode directly on aluminum cylinder walls coated with a form of silicon. Even if that would have worked out (which it didn’t), the blocks couldn’t be overbored and rebuilt since there was no way to replace the silicon coating outside the GM factory; they were “throwaway” engines.
Of course, the Vega’s body’s propensity to rust like an old tuna can are legendary. Not one of Chevrolet’s more shining moments, unfortunately. The few Cosworth Vegas that survive today would have value only as an engineering oddity.
The Vega was a nice little car. Engine was a problem if it got too hot. Warped and it was junk. Pinto were the body most used in modified racing cause junk yards were full of ’em in the 70s. Vegas had notchback, wagon and fastback hatch. Handy little cars.
Pieces of shit !!! I dropped a small block 400 turbo 350 cut rear out of a nova, get you some of that ! High 11’s at 130+ street legal
owned a 76 firethorn red Cosworth loved driving it but a rusted body doomed it. and it was a California car.
The Swindling Swede had a red one that he used as his big booking mobile. He would ride around Memphis picking up the proceeds at the top less joints. He said that he outran a Mississippi Highway Patrol in it one night when he had a trunk full of corn liquor that he picked up for the joints. He said there was lots of sinning when on in that car.
Black/Gold one for sale here in Dallas GA, just outside the ATL beltway, in a small used car lot. Only 30,700 miles, Looks very good inside and out, paint, chrome, glass, upholstery. Flaws: Missing driver’s front turn indicator, and only one paint defect/small rust through spot, centered below the hatch window. Has a bunch of awards and trophies from before but has been sitting. Appears complete, and all-original, with four gold wheels. He is asking $9500, Any interest? Contact Dallas Auto Mart (Leo Lewis), 565 Charles Hardy Parkway, Dallas GA 31057 770-439-1225, cell: 404-797-2848 Fax: 678-653-8782
What would a Cosworth Vega 4 cylinder engine be worth today?
I own this car. And it’s for sale again. Wags Automotive on YouTube! Or look it up on Facebook. Has the original tires back on it now.