You want to say that GM tried with the Vega. You really do. And I’m sure that someone, somewhere, in a corner office that had no windows fully intended on building a good compact car. It’s just a shame that they were never heard, because GM screwed the pooch so bad on the Vega that ripple waves were felt decades later as a result. This was the General’s misstep, the little flop that gave the company a monster black eye. The biggest issue was the engine that was used, a four-cylinder that had the shelf life of cut-up fresh fruit on a humid day. By comparison, the rust issue was almost a non-issue. You don’t care about rust when you’re on yet another head repair job.
The engine was the Achilles’ Heel, no doubt. So how do you fix that problem? C’mon, folks, you know the word: “horsepower”. At first it was the small-block swaps, 350s in little two-door terrors. Now we have the LS series of engines, and that’s the program here, a 6.2L unit ripped from a Cadillac Escalade. This Vega has to weigh almost a ton less than that leather-lined Interstate yacht. And it’ll move smartly through a 3.00 geared Ford 9-inch rear, with the TH350 directing movement and the Moser axles putting in the grunt work. We dig the field find look and love that we had to look really close to notice the speed parts. Nice.
I was looking for a V8 Vega when I bought my MGB V8, would of bought this one instantly if I’d run across it, when I was looking I was amazed at what most people thought were viable V8 Vega’s (stock rear ends, 200hp V8s, already twisted up structures, etc.) for $15K.
The Escalade has a curb weight of 5,800 pounds. This Vega carries almost two tons less weight! I like it.
The only thing I would change would be some better brakes because you’ll need them to slow down this rocketship.
My V8 Vega story: Houston, early ’80’s. Guy next door had a ’75 he’d bought so he could TAKE THE 350 OUT TO PUT IN THE WIFE’S CHEVY LLUXOVAN!!! TO HAUL THE KIDS! “Wanna sell it?” “Nah! Gonna put another engine in it.” Did you get “Not A Car Guy” at the beginning? Six months later, Huricane Alicia dropped a tree limb on the roof and caved it in. “Still wanna buy that Vega?” Uh, no. It went to the scrap yard, Hooker kit and all. Hate when boobs get their hands on cool shit and waste it!
We got the abysmal Vauxhall Cavalier in the UK – GM missed out on a Vauxhall Vega which would have outsold that heap of shit in RHD form.
I have been looking for a 4 speed 1973 Vega GT wagon for years. I\’m not looking for a v8 I want a stock vega. My dad gave me his when I was in school but I blew the head gasket about 600 miles from home so I left it there now I want another one.
Too bad the LS is going to twist the he’ll out of the chassis. Put in dome subframe connectors for a piece of mind. Patina is so yesterday’s news too.
Check out LSX h-body club on facebook if you need inspiration