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The Ultimate Sleeper: 1976 Chevy Vega

left front

Look what Charles H found! It looks harmless enough, right? The only thing unusual about this little wagon is that it’s still on the road. It’s listed on craigslist for $11,000 and it’s somewhere in Oregon. This would have to be pretty special to be worth that much money, but…

engine

That engine really is in this Vega, a fuel injected LT1 with lots of performance goodies. He’s even added 4 wheel disk brakes so it will stop sooner than later. It must have massive understeer and be interesting on the curves. It seems like the owner has done a lot more than just stuff in that V8. It’s got a stout drivetrain as well. Wouldn’t this be a fun way to get tickets and build up points?

Comments

  1. Avatar PaulG

    Love it, especially the “Sleeper” look. Looks well built, and factory…Had a V-8 Vega fastback w/ a 4 speed. NOT a wet weather car!

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  2. Avatar Matt

    very nice ride. Wouldn’t mind owning this one “very Clean Look”

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  3. Avatar Dave at OldSchool Restorations

    .
    ………………Top ” Car of the Week “

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  4. Avatar Bob

    A template for how to do it right.

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  5. Avatar erikj

    Love the look. Friend in highschool had a super nice 77 vega gt. That was done to resemble a 77 Camaro z-28. black with all the gold stripes and callouts spoilers,hoodblacked out grill. and somehow everything was downsized to look correct due to the vega being a lot smaller. Very detail, even the wheels. 350/4spd scary fast best vega build I,ve ever seen.But this one is super nice also.

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  6. Avatar Birdman

    Sniff…Sniff…It’s beautiful….Sniff….I need a moment…This is seriously the closest I have ever seen to my dream car…ever…The only thing that would be different with mine would be the big hole in the hood for either the tunnel ram or blower that would be sitting on top of the big block….I have wanted a Vega Wagon for years…and in white? Oh my goodness! Be still my beating heart!! Now…be gone with you all whilst I bask in the beauty…Be gone I say…

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    • Avatar Chuck F.

      Wouldn’t want to destroy the ‘sleeper’ look. Now if you could figure out a place to shoehorn a turbo or two in it…

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  7. Avatar Dan

    Massive understeer? This is not a front wheel drive car, it is rear wheel, too much power to the rear wheels and she oversteers…

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  8. Avatar racer99

    Very cool….. not sure it’s $11K cool but it only takes one drooling person with money to meet the price to make it worth it. It’s certainly put together very well.

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  9. Avatar Jack

    Knew a guy in high school that shoehorned a V-8 into one of these back in the 70’s. He used to pop wheelies over beer cans with it.

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  10. Avatar JW

    Looks to be a quality job and I love it except the color, can’t stand white cars.

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  11. Avatar DENIS

    Had a tunnelrammed small block in a Vega panel…kool as hell…too many $$$ but very sanitary…

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  12. Avatar sheffield cortina centre

    perfect, just how it should be done.

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  13. Avatar Tom

    An interesting choice. Vegas were pretty horrible cars on top of the bad initial engines. Tinny. Noisy. Cheap looking. They were a nice design. It would have been interesting to see a company that could actually build excellent small cars do the oily parts and use the GM body design.

    Additional demerits on this car:
    1. An LT1 does not make all of the above go away. Just more willing to ignore it all.
    2. Odd, tippytoe stance.
    3. Interior pictures from 2001
    4. White is a terrible choice. Black with the Cosworth look would be cool.

    Price. Nah, but if you love it, and got the dough. Enjoy!

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  14. Avatar John

    I want it. Really, I do.

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  15. Avatar piper62j

    It’s a keeper..

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  16. Avatar Tundra/BMW Guy

    That is one very very very professionally built and presented automobile!! That LT1 looks like it came from the factory in there!!! I cannot imagine how he keeps the rear tires in contact with pavement in a forward motion capacity?!?! Wonder if it has the electric cut outs “Hey man, you car sounds sweet! Wanna run red light to red light for say a $100?” They shake on it, Vega presses the electric cut out button. The person behind the wheel of the opposing vehicle turns white and starts reaching for his/her wallet………………………..
    Oops, sorry!! Was just having a dream there…….
    Too rich for my blood but if I had it, I would have it!!!!!!!

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  17. Avatar Rando

    Wish I had a pic of mine for a pic of a truly horrible looking Vega. Yellow with green doors. we called it “The Poverty Wagon”. Looked like a giant saddle oxford. Drivers F fender had damage from PO losing the front wheel. We had a lot of fun with it. I bought it for it’s steel-sleeved block to go in my 73 hatch. BUT, turned out the hatch had too much Bondo… ahh the learning cruve when you’re young. Still have a soft spot for Vegas, though…

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  18. Avatar Mark-A

    I absolutely loved this, really needs a Dads Taxi & Baby on Board sticker to really pull off the Sleeper look in my mind though! Kinda reminds me of Street Outlaws Farmtruck style of really screwing with folks!

    Like 0

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