Chevrolet Vega

[yelwoci]

Were these cars very raced?
What would like be like against equivalent UK race cars?

IanC

[Sparky]

Ian,

Chevrolet did go racing with the Vega. In fact they built just over 3500 Chevrolet Vega Cosworths in 1975/76!

The only problem was, by the time the racy little number filtered through the smog laws to the American man in the street, it only had an extra 27 hp over the standard car. No turbo, just Bendix fuel injection and a Cosworth 16 valve head.

They raced 'em quite succesfully in the US sedan touring classes, but I wouldn't like to say what the equivalent European model would be.

If you haven't got the 16 valve model, it's likely to be the 1600cc model with 63hp!
You'd better rip that emmissions gear off!!

[KC]

I remember when the Vega's first came out. Must have been the early 70s and a neighbor of ours had one. I don't recall the Cosworth versions and it is rare to see one these days that hasn't been converted to drag racing duty with a big V8. One thing that was painfully obvious about Vegas, after one was about 3 years old it would be smoking like a two-stroke because GM did a poor job on the blocks. The aluminum blocks didn't have enough silicon in the bores and suffered premature ring bypass because of it.

[yelwoci]

I have subsequently had a look at the various Vega websites and have a better feel for the car.
It would appear that it didn't sell very well and only a few thousand were made, though the floor pan was used in lots of 'H' body cars.

I was wondering how well it would cope in racing trim with MkI Escort RS2000s and Dolomite Sprints.

The problems caused by block material composition can be overcome today using engine coatings.

IanC

[Sparky]

What do the regs say about modifications?

I think in order to keep up with RS2's and Dolly's (Dollies?) you're gonna need a touch more power - like double!

If you can run sidedraughts 'n' stuff, cams etc, you might be OK.

[DAVID PATERSON]

OK, what is a Chevy Vega? Is it like a Holden/Isuzu Gemini? GMs T series world car of the 70s.

[yelwoci]

Sparky,
Under Grp1 regs, exhaust headers and for carb:
the inlet manifold are free and carb is free provided the number of chokes is not increased.

for inj:
I believe the original plenum chamber is to be used and again the number of throttle bodies cannot be increased.

As for the Aussie GM versions I would expect there to be some. Do a search on the Vega Owners Club and see if you recognise it.

With luck Holden made it with a V8!
IanC

[KC]

Here are some pics of Cosworth Vegas from the Cosworth Vega owners Association.





These are all very nice restorations. Most Vegas seen in the US today are in bad shape.

[Sparky]

David,
The US 'T' car (Gemini/Kadett) was the Chevy Chevette.
The Vega was the 'T' car's ancestor.

[TimD]

I would have thought the Holden equivalent would be a '77ish Holden LX Torana SS Hatch. What do you think, David?

And is it just me, or is there more than a little C-series Opel Kadett GT/E about it too?

[DAVID PATERSON]

The styling resembles both the LX Torana and the TX/TC Gemini. I've seen shovel nosed TX/TC Geminis in the UK with Vauxhall badges, in fact Mr McRae Snr rallied one.