The Cosworth Vega was definitely a car ahead of its time. If you look at the automotive landscape today, the market is filled with small cars with high winding engines attached to suspension systems designed to make driving fun. The problem with the Cosworth Vega when it was introduced was (a) Vegas were not that great of cars to begin with and (b) the US was still in “big car mode” and the idea of a European-style coupe that actually had some neat touches beyond a sticker package really didn’t compute for a lot of people. For what they were in 1975, they held their own but only about 3,500 were ever produced and like all Vegas, those 3,500 were prone to rust and engine failures. Today, we look back at cars like the Cosworth Vega with a tinge of nostalgia. A piece like this is ripe for a modern engine and transmission and complete factory cosmetic restoration. Turbo Ecotec and six speed anyone?
This car is priced to sell at just $1500 and it appears to be very complete. From what we can tell through the photos and the seller’s description, the car is largely rot free aside from an area up front by the battery tray that needs metal repair. The interior shot seems to indicate a nearly perfect gut in the car with a clean dash, fine looking seats, the factory wheel and dash, and a factory shifter handle coming up through the floor. The engine in the car turns freely but the seller could never get it to start. Frankly, we’d spin the engine off to another Cosworth freak for close to what we bought the whole car for and get after the upgrades!
Are we nuts or are these cool little cars that could use a modern touch to put them over the top?
Thanks to Jimi for the tip!
SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE PHOTOS AND THE CRAIGSLIST LINK!
leave it original! had one back in the day and it was a blast to drive! traded it even up for a Lincoln with suicide doors and we both thought we got the best deal
” A piece like this is ripe for a modern engine and transmission and complete factory cosmetic restoration. Turbo Ecotec and six speed anyone?”
Not only NO, but . . . well you know . . . .
This car is way too rare and interesting to crap up with an engine swap! The stock Cosworth engine is plenty capable as a basis for an interesting throwback rod that respects the rarity of the original (and could be returned to stock as economic conditions warrant)
Save that boring Ecotec for a regular Vega (if you can find one that hasn’t rusted into a pile ‘o iron oxide or been converted to a V8 . . . . ).
Toss the Cosworth engine and you have a…..Vega.
The engine is that car,go find a Plain ol Vega and tart it up anyway you like,and we know it aint gona be an eco boost,just LeSs it like everybody else.
I’d also skip the Ecotech and do a Ford Duratech due to the current Coswroth support for that engine. I really though about buying one for a bit more but in better shape when I was in TN. One alway came to the local cruise night and parked next to his friend’s black 65 Riviera.
There’s a Vega for sale on E-BAY right now w/the Cosworth parts & set up as an autocrosser. It’s already sorted & has ‘buy-it-now’ price of around 8K. BangShift featured it a while back!!
Too bad the Vega’s reputation was a total disaster before the Cosworth version came out. Explains the lack of sales. Unless, they were double the price of a typical Vega.
Keep the Cosworth motor and turbo it. Add some modern suspension upgrades and have some fun on the local tracks.