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Dual Overhead Cam: 1975 Chevrolet Cosworth Vega

The mid-’70s were known as the Malaise era for performance cars but Chevrolet tried something different in 1975 by offering a dual overhead cam powered Vega. This 10k mile Cosworth Vega in Salt Lake City, Utah has been bid up to $3,650 here on eBay.

Offered only in black in 1975 and in 8 colors in 1976, Chevrolet hoped to sell 5,000 models per year but only 2,061 units were sold in 1975. Each car came with a serialized plaque with this 3 owner car being number 1277.

At $5,900, the 1975 Cosworth Vega cost twice as much as a standard Vega and was the second most expensive Chevrolet model that year. Published tests indicated a top speed of 121 mph and a 0-60 time of 10.3 seconds. All cars were built with a 2.0 liter engine that produced 110 horsepower and 107 ft-lbs of torque.

Peak horsepower was reached at 5,600 RPMs and was mated to a 4-speed stick and 3.73 rear gears. While the engine compartment looks a little unkempt, the interior is pristine except for a tear in the driver’s seat upholstery.

My brother bought a Cosworth Vega 10 years ago for $1,500 but prices have been increasing ever since.  It will be interesting to see what the winning bid will be on this interesting classic.

Comments

  1. Avatar Superdessucke

    I, for one, would like to know how so many of these relatively low value cars end up with so few miles on them. It’s a freaking Chevy Vega. I would either drive it or get it out of the garage so I could put a weight set, foosball table, or collection of porcelain clowns in there.

    Like 10
    • Avatar Dave

      Because as soon as you bring them out of the garage they started rusting?

      Like 9
      • Avatar Superdessucke

        Yes, but it would sure be a fun two winters though!

        Like 2
      • Avatar sourpwr

        You could hear the tin worm eating on them in the showroom. It sounded like The Walking Dead

        Like 3
  2. Avatar dave

    Mileage seems way understated based on the pictures disclosure of wear and tear.

    Like 2
  3. Avatar Tom Tock

    I had one of these for a few months my senior year in high school (75) with the same trim except it had a spoiler package including a front dam, running boards and attached spoiler on the truck. Courtesy of Alberta Shook Chevy in Grand Rapids where my dad was the new car manager. Looking at these pictures I can remember the smell of the new car.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Superdessucke

      Yup! Vegas had a very minty new car smell as I recall.

      Like 0
  4. Avatar Lynn Dockey Member

    If u buy it and drive it , lay in a supply of head gaskets

    Like 1
  5. Avatar Steve

    They were offered in 1975 as well as 1976. Interesting cars for their time … I had a 76…
    handled extremely well & ran good for a 4 cylinder in that day.

    Limited production … and they did not sell well. I recall back in the day being told by a dealer that if he took 2 of these Cosworth’s … his Corvette allocation was upped by 1 car. Interesting.

    Like 1
  6. Avatar bikefixr

    Once they have sleeves and modern gaskets and a brace on the mains…they run well. I always liked these..it’s a good looking car. $10K will buy one of the nicest ones on the planet. Not sure I’m buying the mileage, though. I’d do a leakdown because these engines had massive blowby once they hit 35K miles.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar TimM

    Great find!! Haven’t seen one of these in real life in 25 years!! They were quick and if this has the true miles as stated it’s still got some get up and go!!!

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Joseph Howell

    I remember them well and still like them, they are a sharp looking little car. My only concern would be parts availability. I would guess most cylinder head parts are made of Unobtainium. If you can’t get parts to fix it it’s just a big paperweight. As a pilot and mechanic I have known of rare planes sitting on the ground waiting for someone to crash or scrap one like it and parts become available.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar jeff

    toss the 4 banger wheezer old skrool 327 with 283 crank PROBLEM SOLVED hard to find one that’s not swiss cheese great lookin car STILL think vegas were one of the top 3 nicest chebbys other 2 were 67 68 cameros and 66 only CHEVELS 396 375 hoss

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Doc

    I researched this car, and then bought it. These miles are actual miles as I traced the provenance from owner to owner with inspection certificates. This car sold out of Greenway Chevrolet, Bowing Green, KY. It stayed a few years in Illinois, then shipped to Louisiana. This car has been in Utah less than 10 years. Owned by a cop, then he died and wife sold it to a collector. He had it for a year before he posted it for sale here as you see it. Car is rust-free. Exhaust system is like new with only 10,526 miles on it. Original paint has not checked, and this I must find out how. It is the original paint, and I can’t believe it I have another 2 years younger black Vega GT whose paint has slightly checked). The decals are poor imitations of the real thing. I will replace them with Phoenix Graphics productions. The gas cap is being replaced with OEM stock. The drip rails have already been installed. In case you didn’t notice, there is no radiator fan (one is on its way as I type). The engine compartment looks like it hasn’t been cleaned since it left the dealership. I am going to steam clean that next week. Engine runs smooth after it warms up. It has all the power it was born with. Like other Vegas, this car has excellent neutral handling. Would like to say more, but I am running out of time and space.

    Like 1

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