The Vega was Chevrolet’s first foray into subcompact automobiles. From 1971 to 1977, GM sold more than two million gas sippers, although the car was initially flawed (overheating engines, premature rusting). The “Kammback” was the 2-door station wagon edition, which comprised nearly a quarter of all Vega production. This 1973 version is both a GT and an Estate Wagon, meaning it has faux woodgrain paneling like the big Chevies. Located in Yakima, Washington, this possible barn find is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $10,500. An attaboy goes to T.J. for the tip!
Kammback is Chevy marketing-speak for its Vega wagon. It was named after Wunibald Kamm, whose expertise in aerodynamics inspired the design of Chevy’s little transport. The tailgate cutoff was more sloped than a true “Kamm-tail,” but it must have helped make the sales brochures more interesting to read. The Estate Wagon came along in 1973 (the Vega’s third year), providing a fancier look like the bigger Caprice Estate Wagon (at a little more than half the size). Of the 427,300 Vegas built in 1973, more than 102,000 of them were Kammbacks (Estate Wagon production isn’t known).
The history of this little Chevy isn’t known. It appears to be a survivor-quality vehicle with 86,700 miles – and when was the last time you saw a Vega in ANY condition? We’re told this is a “like new” wagon that has been garage-kept and well-maintained. It runs, drives, and stops as it should, though some of the photos depict it being on a trailer, perhaps due to a flipper relocation.
This Vega also has the GT option package, which should equate to a slightly more spirited handling machine. The Chevy has the inline-4 that caused GM some grief early on, paired with a 4-speed manual transmission, a limited-slip differential, and some cosmetic upgrades like a sport steering wheel and Rally wheels. The seller says this wagon is being offered below “average” market value, though most Vegas you would find commanding this price would be the Cosworth models from 1975/76.
It’s where it will probably spend a lot of its life, on a trailer.
LMAO!
That’s a sweet Vega!!
Always wanted one
I had the Pontiac Astre version, had 30k on it when I bought it and well over that when I sold it. Fun little wagon that had two full window stickers on it
I liked the look of these early Vegas ( baby Camaro) but the rusted fast and badly. If you could keep the rust at bay they made a great race car with a V-8 swap. Did about half a dozen back in the day. This is a nice looking wagon that was obviously kept indoors most of its life.
Very very nice Vega. I would pull the whole drive train and installed stroker 383-4 with nice automatic and shorten 10 bolt rear. Change the hood so it would fit nicely. Change the wheel bolt pattern from 4 to 5. It’s such a clean Vega you want to do it correctly. And it will be fun to keep. Good luck to the next owner. 🐻🇺🇸
So, the driver’s seat came covered with cloth and the other seats upholstered in vinyl?
maybe because it was recovered?
nice Vega put a 3800v6 in it and you would be in. had a new 79 Monza wagon with a 3.8 v6. great car for what it was
As much as I studied those brochures I never knew you could combine the Estate and GT equipment package. Kinda cool car. I like the V8 idea.
Good looking Vega! If the underside is as nice as the rest of the car. An easy swap would be an Iron Duke engine and keep it as a fuel saver. With a few other items (because of age) you would be in this car less than $15k. What can you buy for that $ these days and still not see yourself coming the other way? I agree there are other more interesting used vehicles that you can buy for that amount of cash. But with the engine swap you would have this car for a long time provided you don’t live in the rust belt. If you desire something faster, the list is unlimited. You can still buy the SBC swap kit. And if I remember correctly. The 4 speed transmission in these cars is the standard Saginaw box out of a Camaro. So the only weak link in the drive train would be the rear differential. Hmm maybe fast good looking car for less than $20K?
Always had a soft spot for the Vega… flaws and all. Wonderful on paper, but turned into a story of “execution is everything”. I would really like one of these Kammbacks today… always thought it was a neat and attractive package (before the big bumpers anyway)… even with the overheating and oil-burning 4… which could be sorted… Hey, I owned a Triumph Stag, and I made its V8 work…
had some Vegas myself… first one cooked the engine under warranty. I always blamed the engineer that flipped the prints upside down for the overheating problems……aluminum block with cast iron head? what was he thinking. Mine ended up with a Buick V-6 that would tote the note.
Cool Vega. Big fan of H-bodies. Never had a Kammback, but would pick one up for for the right money. I’d leave the stock 2.3, unless it was toast. THEN, I would go 215 aluminum V-8 and kill the SBC cars. SBC is bad choice for anything but drag racing…Why on earth would anyone want to kill the handling of these cars like that is beyond me.
Jason, good idea on the 215! Or just grab the larger edition from a Rover. (I have seen many in the junk yard) I agree that the sbc would add weight. I was just looking for a quick and easy solution. A V6 is also a good option. A 215 4bbl. and a 5 speed would make a great package!
Wayne, didn’t mean to poo-poo the SBC, but all too often it seems the first choice people make to make these go fast. Agree a V6 is also a good choice. The 215 though is actually lighter and weighs only about 30 lbs more than the Vega 2.3. Change the mounts and drop it in. No need for stiffer springs or any of that nonsense. If mine wasn’t a Cosworth, I’d drop a 215 in it in a heartbeat.
I don’t think it’s a GT and I’m sure that the “Estate” model was not a factory option. (Probably a dealer creation.) My first new car was a ’72 Kammback GT. This car has GT wheels but is missing the GT badging. I would know for sure if there was a photo of the instrument panel, because the GT had a different layout. I liked my car’s size and handling but the naysayers are right about longevity. Mine rusted out early and I could calculate the oil MPG, based on the gallons of oil it burned.
Refer to page 18 of the Wagons brochure to find the Vega Estate. Package included most all the elements of the GT save for the wheels. Leads one to believe that this may just be an Estate with the wheels added.
Auto makers need to start making cute little wagons again – Vega, Pinto, Toyota Corolla, and Datsun 210/510. What a perfect little runabout, and a nice alternative to the ubiquitous and oversized SUV.
I’m not a big fan of yellow cars and I don’t much like the fake wood, but if this 4 speed beauty was within a couple hours of me, I’d already be on my way with a pocket full of cash.
Rumor has it that there were a couple of dissected FIAT 124 Coupes out back of the Chevy skunkworks. Too bad they didn’t koofer (VPI term- search it out) the engine too. As for the “upside down” or “inside out” engine with the aluminum block and cast iron head AND pistons, AMC had a very successful aluminum block engine. Problems arose with reboring as pockets of very hard siliconized aluminum tended to shatter cutting tools.
When these were brand new, they were great. My girlfriend’s father had a silver one and a good friend had a yellow one. Both had 4 speeds. So much fun with a pair of these in 1973! Until they reached 12k miles. Warranty done, and so were they!
Decimal point in the wrong place?
May consider it for $105.00?
i might gofuridid if the ford version. I like the x-flow Lima’n carb they pudonid.
Drove a county car (Stanislaus) chevette in Cali. Not too
into the compact chebs. I like it as its a waggy, small, great
chob on da rehab. That alone’s probably worth more’n da restoration
sell point. Good Luck to seller/buyer~
“… a waggy, small, great chob on da rehab.”
Ah yes, I remember the days when my lover called me that. Oh baby, baby…
I knew a guy who had a Vega wagon who kept a
case of oil in the back.I guess he never had to change
the oil – just let it run down,change the filter,& fill it up
with oil.