Did you know the Chevrolet Vega didn’t actually die in 1977 like all the books tell you? That’s right, while a lot of the underpinnings continued with a new skin in the Monza coupe and fastback, the Vega “Kammback” small station wagon continued almost unchanged with the exception of the Monza front sheetmetal. This 1979 model sent in by frequent finder Rocco B. looks like a practical and inexpensive way to own a classic car. It’s for sale here on craigslist in central Michigan for an asking price of $3,000.
While you can see a slight crease in the rear fender from this picture, what really surprises me is the lack of visible rust, especially considering the location of this car. With Vegas known to rust profusely from the dealership on, somehow this car seems to have survived remarkably intact. The roof rack just adds to the versatility of this little car.
There’s a slight bend to the “5 mph” bumper on the right rear, but again, it’s not going to stop you from using the car.
I remember when it was typical to carry a gas can on long trips just in case you ran out. Or perhaps the owner ran a small lawn care service out of the car?
This is a picture that those who dislike the Vega’s aluminum four cylinder engine will love — this is the original 3.2 litre (hey, don’t blame me, that’s what Chevy called it!) V6. The car has air conditioning, although we don’t know if it works or not, along with power steering and power brakes. The seller states it has only 63,000 miles as well, and that might be believable given the condition. I’m not sure that I’m a buyer at $3,000, but as with any Craigslist ad, that’s only a starting price. What would you pay for this little wagon if it were close to you? And what would you use it for? We look forward to your comments!
This looks to be a practical daily driver with very little work to do on it.
The Only problem I see is the wiring that looks scarry and where the AC compresure it is on the bottom drivers side! I know the hard way DON’T drive it in any high water!
Beautiful car..it’s begging for a v8 swap it was second nature back in the day Vegas pintos monzas
this factory V6 is a rare and fairly desirable collectible left the way it is.
One zero too many for me on the advertised price! Fugly as well.
I’d say it’s priced right. I like the shape/size/lines of this car. No interior shots kinda is a bummer. I’d repaint a modern color and spice it up with some aluminum slots. Drive as is while I did that. It’s not a road scorcher, it’s a practical, driveable antique, that no one else has in your car club.
On the other hand, Quality was abysmal back then, we can all agree…check out the weather strip separation on the rear window…what other mysterious quarks will one find cruising around in this little cupcake. Still, I think it’s a solid buy.
My first car was a well maintained Silver 1980 Monza Notchback with red interior. I had aluminum slots on it with wider tires on the rear. 4 cylinder 141 ‘iron duke’ engine and automatic trans.
Car ran great and beat a lot of other 4 and 6 cylinder cars drag racing on the street. I bought the car after getting out of college for $1200 and 50000 miles. I put over 100000 more miles on it and sold it for about the same price I paid for it.
Great in the snow in PA and a lots of memories.
A friend had one with a small block V8 in it too (No frame ties and ended up twisting the body from drag racing). these cars were a great value for the period that performed well when properly maintained.
My oldest brother had a Monza Spyder hatchback V8 car he bought new and put headers on it. Remember it being pretty loud and mom wouldn’t let him drive by the neighboring church Sunday mornings. haha
Oh, and the rear bumper isn’t bent, it looks like the energy absorber (shock behind the bumper) was compressed. Part should be available from local part store. Had to replace one of those once on my Monza.
Interior???
No pictures, unfortunately…
The odometer has 63K, the rest of the car, 163K, still, not a bad little beater. I’d sure like to have it. No inside pics=worn. And there’s only one reason a beater has a gas can in the back, gauge is inoperative.
I think for the price it’s a solid lil car.
It would make a nice second hand car to the right owner .
I wonder how many lithium batteries it would hold to convert over to electric 😜
Perfect for summer fun throwing the camping gear in the back and heading out to the lake.
I got married with a 78 Monza v-6 wagon. Burgundy with burgundy velour seats. Never any real problems. Only real reason I sold it was I needed 2 more doors. Oh, and a distributor broken on the mounting shaft, but that would have been a trivial fix. It did make timing it a little tricky.
Have another? Sure. For $3K? Not so much.
These cars had 8 years of improvements from the original car that had been designed from scratch. the 76-79s were durable and reliable.
Did your state really let you marry a Monza wagon?
right sz, shape, transmis, ? on alu motor frm that period. Two more doors would B nice on 1 that small. I’d use it daily.
The contractor who made that rack supplied every manufacturer for close to 15 yrs – we saw them on everything (larg’n sm, lux or econo).
Great find Jamie/Rocco ! Thnx
So you could put a grand national in there…
The seller is asking $3,000, I’m pretty sure that you could talk him down to $2,500. That’s a pretty good price for a daily driver. I don’t know what kind of cars that you guys daily drive for $300, but you definitely would not get them plated in Toronto.
The 3.2 is actually a 196 cu in v6 with 105 horsepower. Fifteen more than the previous year. Should whip this thing around fairly well.
,,,
A Vega practical? Surely you jest.
This 79’s condition is the norm, not the exception. The later models tended NOT to rust.
Starting in 1976, extensive anti-rust improvements on the Vega’s body included galvanized steel fenders and rocker panels and “four layer” fender protection with zinc coated and primed inner fenders and wheelwell protective mastic, zinc-rich pre-prime coating on inner doors, expandable sealer installed between rear quarter panel and wheel housing panel, and corrosion resistant header panel, grill and headlamp housings.
Thanks for the information, Robert — which leads to a question: Did that apply to all the 1976 Vegas in general? I’ve had a hankering many times for a Cosworth version and that would tilt me towards the 1976 cars. Thanks in advance!
yes