The 1970s Chevy Vega is a largely forgettable car. Unless you happen to have a 1975-76 Cosworth Vega, which had a performance DOHC head. And while more than two million Vegas were produced from 1971 to 1977, only 3,500 units had Cosworth power. The seller, a member of the Cosworth Owners Association, has owned the car for four years, and it looks good. Plenty of parts have been changed over the years. Located in Williamsburg, Michigan, this survivor is available here on Craigslist for $8,900. Thanks for the tip, T.J.!
The Cosworth used Chevy’s all-aluminum inline-4 with a special DOHC cylinder head. Though only 3,500 cars were sold, 5,000 engines were built (so what happened to the other 1,500?). Because of the engineering that went into the car, it ended up in the same price range as a Corvette, which may have hampered demand. Output was 110 hp, so it was a potent little powerplant. 2,000 or so of the cars were sold as ‘75s, and less than 1,500 more in ’76. If you bought a ’75 Cosworth, you could get it in any color you wanted as long as it was black. They expanded the palette in ’76.
This Cosworth is documented, in that it comes with the original build sheet at 76,000 miles. Only 2,000 of those have been added since 2010. The seller is a Cosworth Vega guy and bought this one in 2022 as he had one back in his younger days. It looks to be in solid shape, including the body (which was prone to rust early on), paint, and matching vinyl interior.
A long list of stuff done by the seller is provided. It includes new tires, brakes, front upholstery, carpeting, and suspension parts. battery, fuel injectors, water pump, radiator, and more. So, some of the seller’s asking price is to partially recoup the investment made in the last few years. It will take a Cosworth fan to appreciate the car, as these are the priciest Vegas you’re likely to find.
So it last had an oil change in 2010, and the owner is bragging about it? Looks really nice, but with that kind of maintenance, you gotta wonder.
Do you really think he did all that work and didn’t change the oil?
Read his ad.
I think he only mentions the oil change sticker to reference the milage on the sticker to the current mileage. The sticker may have been from the prior owners maintenance.
Way better than the clapped out one shown here a few weeks ago. Had these been anything other than the Vega platform, they’d probably be appreciating. But $8900 for something that will always be a Vega is a hard pill.
Does not say the last oil change was in 2010, only that the sticker is proof of the mileage. No mention of last oil change.
I’ve done multiple motor swaps on these over the years from 327’s to 454’s. I prefer the older style front end. These had posi and a bit better suspension. They ran great with a 400cu small block
Still forgettable. Built by disgruntled hippies, I was told in the day-
No sir! The hippies were deathly afraid of manual labor. Unless it was growing pot. The Vega was built by good old, America loving, union alcoholics.
Yes… and buying one made on a Monday or Friday would really take the cake!!!
If you want a Cosworth Vega this is probably the one to get with a service record and recent maintenance, assuming the price isn’t out of line. These Cosworth Vega’s show up on this site often, most are project, which could easily turn into bottomless money pits.
Steve R
The Vega wasn’t good, but it had good intentions!
Yeah blame everything on the hippies. Cars like this were normal in Europe. Nowadays aluminum block engines with DOHC heads and multiple valves are the norm. It was just ahead of its time and it had seventies GM build quality so yeah.
There are a few on this site that just have simpleton DNA. They can be safely ignored.
I don’t think Nikasil etc. was common anywhere when these were built.
First American four-cylinder production car to feature 16 valves, dual overhead cams (DOHC), and electronic fuel injection. Too bad emissions/low compression crippled the motor. Even then, it was quick in the day with a special sound as it revved past 6000rpm.
Barely any emission controls on these. The FI kept this engine compliant. Only a catalytic converter and PAIR system. Remove the cat and the engine redlines at 7500 rpm. It makes power all the up there. I own one. The compression means nothing. Almost any BMW, Porsche, etc through the 1980s was running 8:1. Get the fuel curve right and that matters little. Main issue is that is hard to do with a carb and keep things emission legal. That is why European cars and this car ran fuel injection to begin with.
I agree with Steve R . The seller was in a club and lavished love on this car for years. If you want a Cos Vega this looks nice . 8 k not gonna kill you if you want out later, you would get some of your money back when you sell it . Its not like buying a 30 K project. Then surprise , surprise sucker.
Any Vega–UGH!
Had one in the ’70s–built like the junk they were!
Cosworth–OK, but lipstick on a pig!
IMHO!
Completely agree, Jim!
110 hp is not going to raise the hair on your neck. By today’s standards, 110 hp is a joke. My daughter’s Rav4 has 200 hp. The car looks clean and well taken care of and the $8900 price is not bad, but it’s still a 1975 GM car, take that for what it’s worth.
As appealing as these are to those of us who grew up admiring them, they struggle to bring good money. A local dealer struggled to get $8000 for a very nice example. But I personally think they’re really cool!