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Low Mile Twin Cam: 1975 Cosworth Vega

Typically when we discuss a car that has low miles, we are under the impression that the car is in very nice shape. Clean with 12,000 miles, the owner of this Cosworth Vega purchased the car used in 1977. Unfortunately there was a valve concern that halted daily use of this Vega. Tucked away indoors ever since, this Vega is itching to hit the streets once more after engine repair, or a possible engine swap. Offered for $4,500 or an interesting trade, this Cosworth Vega is a great starting platform for a project. Take a look at it here on craigslist out of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Thanks to reader “Cheato” for the great submission!

Inside we are greeted by the ever so cool engine turned dash, and an interior that is one of the nicest I have ever seen in a Vega. Minus some mild trash on the floors, this interior looks as soft, plush and clean as it was when it was new. There are no signs of damage or aging from within this Cosworth coupe.

From what can be seen, the body of this Vega looks great, and even appears to wear a set of original Goodyear tires! A life of indoor storage looks to have turned out well for this classic small American. The Cosworth series Vegas were limited and numbered, and this particular car is #691.

The idea behind the Cosworth Vega was certainly a cool one, but unfortunately the gas crisis killed much of the original joy of the car. The interesting appearing twin cam Cosworth engine was originally planned to offer somewhere in the neighborhood of 180 horsepower. Sadly after Chevy made the car more fuel friendly, power was awfully limp in comparison. The Cylinder head has been pulled on this engine, and as the seller has stated, it would seem that parts were very hard to come by about 10 years ago, and that still could be the truth today. So what do you do with a Cosworth Vega that needs rare engine parts? Well call me crazy if you please, but the Gm Ecotec inline 4 cylinder engine would certainly fall more in line with the original idea behind the Cosworth Vega versus an all too common V8 swap.  An LE5 2.4L Ecotec engine would be my choice as it is has an aluminum block and offers around 175 horsepower, similar to what the original Cosworth unit should have produced. Ultimately I would prefer to see the Cosworth engine revived, but the cost of fixing the original engine may outweigh the value of the car. With great looks and loads of potential, what would you do with this classic Cosworth Vega?

Comments

  1. Avatar Steve B

    Could fab in a Toyota 4A-GE motor. Good power and still not too hard to find from all the Toyotas trashed from too many “sick driftz yo”. Add a straight pipe for maximum bwah.

    Or shoehorn an American smallblock and go drag racin’. Either way expect to be trolled by keyboard commandos whining “Why U Rune Classic..”

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  2. Avatar Steve

    I LOVE these cars, rebuild the bottom end, port and polish the head, fire up ‘ol Solid Works and model a Webber or Mikuni side draft intake and a custom header………..oh and then drive the piss out of it…….love these cars

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  3. Avatar -Bear-

    I predict that a Cosworth Vega enthusiast will Snap This Up!!
    A super nice example like this deserves to be restored.
    ….
    Personally, I’d love to see the engine “reworked” & “retuned” to something closer to the original planned hi-performance specs for this car. (…& not the detuned specs that were sold to the US public.)
    Mate it to the Borg-Warner 5-speed that came in the Vega GT model, upgrade the springs to a stiffer rate & a lower stance, add some gas shocks, & put modern rubber (with a lower profile) on some Cosworth-styled replica larger diameter wheels.
    You’d then have a Cosworth Vega that lives up to the original “hype”!! (y)

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    • Avatar -Bear-

      I think I paid approx $2200 for my (very nice) silver & black ’76 Vega GT (w approx 60K miles on the clock) back in 1980. (…this was my very 1st car. LOVED IT!) :-)
      With inflation that is approx $6528 in 2017 dollars, which makes this low-mile Cosworth Vega a freakin’ BARGAIN! :-O

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  4. Avatar Steve

    Honestly If I were not in a very bad personal financial crunch I would buy this up….like now.

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  5. Avatar Jeffro

    If it’s worth having…it’s worth fixin!

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  6. Avatar Travis Boggus

    I’d love to have it and put it back right!

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  7. Avatar Bob Hess

    Lots of engine parts available through British parts sources including upgrades for power and reliability. Probably the only interesting car built by anyone during that time period. Needs only mechanical restoration and some fuel.

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  8. Avatar 86 Vette Convertible

    Funny this came up. One of the members of a car club I belong to has one and said it’s likely he will bring it to a charity car show we’re putting on next month. I have seen Cosworth’s before but it’s been many years.

    Hope this one gets back together and on the road again.

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  9. Avatar Tommy D

    SOLD! Of course…

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  10. Avatar PAPERBKWRITER

    Saw one of these done up with a Chevy crate motor (small block) The car was awesome.

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  11. Avatar Chuck Pierce

    It’s funny that the true car lover has it for sale. Look at that garage – hardwood floors, wainscoting walls and a sweet Mustang too. Maybe he grew tired. The car deserves to be put back to original. That interior looks amazing. Chuck in Kansas

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  12. Avatar BRAKTRCR

    I know this is an older post, but just saw it.Just had to comment. I have had a 406 cu in sbc in a Vega wagon and a 350 sbc in an Astre, but I think I would have done everything in my power to have saved the stock motor on this little beauty. What a fun little car and so very clean. I hope it fell into good hands

    Like 0

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