Chevrolet entered the subcompact car market in 1971 with the (what would become troubled) Vega. It had a seven-year run and found two million customers. Popular was the Vega 2-door station wagon, marketed as the “Kammback”. The seller has a 1976 edition, but it’s rough and far from complete. Available in Fond de Lac, Wisconsin, and here on Facebook Marketplace, this project or parts car is priced at $1,295 OBO. Thanks for the tip, “Lothar… of the Hill People”.
The Kammback term was coined because of the wagon’s sporty looks which involved a more steeply angled rear area than was typical of other such transports. Nearly a quarter of all Vega production was the Kammback (468,000 units), excluding the panel delivery versions, which replaced the side glass with metal. Early Vega’s got a bad rap because their aluminum I-4 engines were prone to overheating, and the cars in general would prematurely rust away. By 1976, these problems were (probably) cured.
This Vega came with a standard 4-speed manual transmission, but it has been swapped out for an automatic. The clutch pedal is still in place, and the crossmember is loosely there. The seller has listed the car for a non-internet-savvy friend, so we’re not sure how the communication process will work to seal a deal. The car has been in storage for years, but we don’t know if it was inside or out.
The parts that you don’t see, like the grill and front bumper, have likely disappeared. The body is rough, and the interior even rougher. Whether the car runs is anyone’s guess. But if you decided to ditch the 4-banger and drop in a small-block V8, that would make preserving this car more interesting. The seller says trades may be considered and seems to be interested in old bicycles or vintage signage.
Wow that’s expensive scrap metal
I love the Vega, but that one is too far gone to be more than a parts donor.
Too many “ones” in the price. Unless the owner of this “Kammback” is offering $1295 to someone to remove it from their property. I wish there was picture of the tree it was parked under. The dash cluster / speedometer appears to be from a standard “non GT” Vega
I’m not sure the Kammback had GT gauges, but a ’76 Vega had a much larger rear bumper, Kammback or not.
The GT was available on both hatchback and wagon models. The more rare sedan notchback did not have them.
1970-73 had thin small bumpers. New federal low speed requirements in 1974 changed the bumpers to huge aluminum beasts to the end of production in 1977, but continued on in the Monza and Pontiac Safari wagons to 1980.
I agree that the rear bumper looks like a 71/72 part
And looking more closely, the front fendersalso look like those of the 71/73 models, before they made the front end look like an armadillo made of recycled drain covers
Too much for this trans swapped parts car.
Not just a transmission swap, but the wrong way!
This isn’t in much worse shape than it was when new. Two million customers? And very likely their next car was Japanese. I do like BF’s exquisite timing. A Vega write-up right after a Pinto one.
I was that customer. My next car was German. Last year, we bought a Cadillac lyric, my first new General Motors car since 1971. They alienated two generations of customers with this piece of crap.
A quality vintage bicycle is frequently worth more than the ask, and definitely worth more than the car.
Not even for $12.95!!!
man, you really got to want this bucket. looks to be worthless from what i see.
I may be late to the game, but this in not a 76.
The rear bumper suggests a 70-73, but you could retrofit the early bumper on a later 74-77 wagon.
Obviously, you would get a 350 V8 conversion kit, 350 crate motor, 4-speed auto, a fiberglass front end, gut the interior, put in racing buckets and aluminum interior panels, and an 8-point roll bar. Flat black paint and off you go! Seems pretty simple.
Unless just the weight of the V8 causes the rusty frame to collapse, even before you hit the accellerator.
There’s that too!
Amazingly solid for a 55 year old Wisconsin car. Since it has a title I would consider it a 76 someone was retrofitting with the earlier “mini Camaro” front end. The condition of the front clip doesn’t match the rest of the car. If the seller has the missing front end parts and the windshield is good, the price is justified. The lower valances are made of some unique plastic GM was trying for the first time. It was brittle and once it cracked it was difficult to repair as nothing bonds to it very well. Finding good front & rear lower valences from a 71-73 Vega are like finding hens teeth. The bucket seat are the same as used in Camaro’s etc.