LS3-Powered 1975 Chevy Cosworth Vega Up For Auction In Arizona
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Introduced as a smaller, more efficient alternative to other sporty-themed General Motors products from the 1970s, the Chevy Vega quickly exploded in popularity before imploding following a string of recalls and quality issues. As such, the Vega nameplate has generally carried a negative connotation, and yet, someone decided to shove an LS3 powerplant under the hood of a limited-production 1975 Cosworth Vega. What’s more, it’s currently up for grabs online.
Listed for auction on Bring a Trailer, this 1975 Vega is #2,225 of roughly 3,500 Cosworth examples built from the 1975 to 1976 model years. Offered with a clean Arizona title, this extensively modified Vega shows approximately 59,000 miles on the odometer, less than 1,000 of which are claimed to have been added after the LS3 transplant.
Starting with the exterior, it’s hard to argue that the Vega isn’t an attractive vehicle regardless of its quality woes and subpar performance from the factory. This particular unit is painted in a metallic brown hue with black stripes and Yenko decals and features additional goodies like a rear spoiler, color-matched mirror houses, LS3 badges, and chrome bumpers with black impact strips.
As for rollers, polished 17-inch Budnik alloy wheels are wrapped in Delinte Thunder D7 tires, while braking power is provided by front discs and rear drums.
Moving to the interior, we can spot shades of the second-generation Pontiac Trans Am with the brushed aluminum gauge cluster surround, along with black vinyl front bucket seats and split rear seats. Creature comforts include a leather-trimmed dashboard, a cueball shift knob, Vintage Air air conditioning, and a Sony CD stereo.
Of course, under the hood lies the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 LS3 gasoline engine, which is mated to a Tremec five-speed manual transmission that delivers power to the rear wheels. Although output specifications aren’t listed, the LS3 produced 430 horsepower and 424 pound-feet of torque in the Corvette C6.
So, what are your thoughts on this, dear reader? While it’s no Corvette C6, this 1975 Chevy Cosworth Vega certainly exudes coolness, but is it enough to overcome the Vega’s infamous legacy? Be sure to vote in the poll, and let us know what you’re thinking in the comment section below.
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Cosworth Vega dash panel, not Trans Am. You can still see where the Cosworth Vega plate was attached to it, just under the center A/C vents.
This was my first car (75′ GT) in 84′, loved this thing until the unibody seams rusted too badly – hit the brakes one time and the left front wheel rubbed on the body/floorboard.
I owned a 1975 Vega station wagon. It was a great car and it performed well for many years.
I also owned a 1975 Vega Kammback Wagon, and it gave me few problems. As a small car/wagon, it was tough and survived a collision with a school bus, just losing the left front headlight. I sold it to a Camaro owner who crashed his race car. He transplanted tbe V8 engine, transmission, and rear end of the Camaro to the Vega and won races with it.
What makes this a Plus and a Minus (in my humble opinion, having driven a few V8 Vega’s over the years) is a very professional underhood area, certainly a Plus…the only Minus (takeaway) to be are the comical “Circus Wheels”, way too big and certainly need to be placed totally under the wheel wells maybe using a chrome Chevy Rally Wheel (no trim rings) and a small “Top Hat” center cap. Other than that, this would be a very sweet daily driver here in So.Cal. and an interesting show car at various Cars & Coffee events not to mention maybe a few visits to a Friday Night Cruise over at Bob’s Big Boy in Toluca Lake where it would gain the attention of all of the visitors who enjoy stop on by for a Bob’s Double Decker burger!
Whould I consider purchasing this vehicle (making those small changes to it) oh hell yeah if the price is right of course.
These V8 Vega’s done properly (as this one is) are a hoot to drive, and will surprise many as you “lay them to waste” rowing through the gears leaving ’em wondering what in the hell that little Chevy’s got under the hood! Very cool, in my opinion.
As an original 75 Cosworth Vega owner #1964. Even though I parted with it over 30 years ago. I have often wondered why more people did not explore the performance side of the Cosworth engine. Back in 1975. I had sent a letter to Keith Duckworth, who was kind enough to share information about the original design, and how to “fix” the smogged design. I ended up with a sleeved block running 12.5/1 Cosworth racing pistons, a recurved distributor, as well as a number of other mods. The engine easily revved to 10,000 RPM (within the power band) And could not be caught be a 455 trans am. Only bummer was that I needed to use aviation fuel to prevent detonation. Power to weight ratio was killer. Porsche 911 guys were very frustrated when I out revved them, and pulled away like they stalled. LOL
I hate to be “that guy” but this is a 1976 model year, not a “75”. That is all. Carry on.
Ruined it. Now it’s just a Vega with a V8 like every Jim Bob and Cletus has done before, all of what made it unique and collectible is gone. Idiots.
Cool car, although those aftermarket wheels don’t necessarily improve it’s appearance.
In 1976 a good friend of mine had a new Cosworth, but it was Black with Gold trim. I have never found beauty in a Black Car! 🤮
Yes, you’re right.
There is so much wrong here:
1976 model (highest ’75 dash # is 2069) but titled as a 1975
Arizona title with California plates
VIN (1V77B5U218677)–
“B” = 140 CID 2 BBL (i.e. regular Vega; Cosworth has “E” or “O”)
“5” = 1975, but that year was only available with a black exterior
VIN per dash plate 2227 registry should be 1V77O6U163165
This deal is fishier than the Star Kist factory 🏭🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟
Starting to think it wasn’t a Cossie….
Steve,
Where did you find the what the Vin should be for car number 2227? I have been looking on the registry and cannot seem to find that.
Kevin
Steve,
Where did you find the what the Vin should be for car number 2227? I have been looking on the registry and cannot seem to find that.
Kevin
i don.t understand why if you want to sell these vehicles what.s the secrete on where they are at .
I had a new 71 GT Vega green wagon with 4 on the floor. It was a great vehicle , fun to drive, had it for 5 years. Made many camping trips, when I lived in California.
what did they do to keep the upper control arms from getting ripped out of the floor
I agree, had a neighbor that had a pearl white Vega with 350 automatic and he ripped the rear control arms that connect to the rear end differential right out. He needed his neighbor that being us that could weld new plates to strengthen the support. We pulled the back seat and made huge square plates that bolt the rear end control arms to the inside panels behind the seat. Also the rear diff were weak. Friend with 327 in his vega did a burn out rounding a corner and the drivers rear tire went flying right past us, snapped the lug nuts.
that’s what we experienced in the late 70’s long before todays tech advancements. We literally were putting 100 LBS into a 2 LBS bag. Was fun but dangerous now that we look back at it
I would think a true 59K miles Cosworth would be more desirable and valuable than this silly looking makeover. Wheels look awful and the Yenko stripe is just stupid.
Beautifully done clean Vega! Would love to have the $$ right now to come get it! I had a 75 Kammback Wagon Prostreet in High School with a 327 and a power glide an 9″ Ford rear.
I’m on the fence. Leaning away because you can leap forward a few years and do up a Monza Spider which came with the 305 small block. So I’d assume the Monza would come with the suspension bits already beefed for a V8. The Spider was better looking.
Actually the Monza came with a very low HP 262 cu. in. Small block…. But you are right, it was a lot easier to swap in a 327,350 or 400 small block Chevy. Only thing really needed after that was a descent transmission and rear end to handle the power….
Todays transmissions with the option of slipping softens the launched all made to protect the drive line. Allowed to product huge HP/Torque and live to play another day. Any automatic trans that will fit