Sweet mother of cone crushing, apex clipping, slaloming, coolness. This 1974 Vega is set up to rip, has a totally documented and cool racing history, a Cosworth engine that was run at Bonneville on 35% nitromethane (YOWZA!) and every trick in the handling book. It isn’t a gaudy thing with weirdo paint, huge wheels, or a mountain motor. Instead it is a perfectly balanced little car that is legal for the E-Prepared class in autocross or for wheel to wheel action in the SCCA. The list of parts and pieces on this car is extensive as is the list of tracks it was put to use on. Believe it or not, the Vega turned tires at the now dead Riverside raceway in California, Laguna Seca, Sears Point, Portland International Raceway, and a bunch of others.

The paint was done by the owner/seller and it was sprayed over a lightweight ‘glass hood and rear hatch and fiberglass bumpers. Lexan quarter windows and rear window also help to get some weight off. The engine is a 122ci four banger with a worked Cosworth head, a set of Crane cams, 12.5:1 compression, ARP bolts and studs, custom made intake manifold that holds two Weber carbs, an MSD ignition system, factory header, Milodon oil pan, and a Monza radiator. The engine is backed with a lightened up flywheel, Cosworth Vega four speed, 3.73 geared posi rear end, and Monza brakes. Hoosier tires are on the corners.

The suspension uses a factory fast ratio steering box (16:1), sway bars that measure over an inch front and rear, cut down Monza V8 springs, Delrin bushings, Koni shocks, etc. Nothing Earth shattering in any of that, but it is a sorted package that is highly functional. The whole setup is greater than the sum of its parts. It has been a race car since the early 1980s, which is also cool. The current owner knows the original builder and keeps a good relationship with him. Yet another cool little twist.

This car is 100% BangShift approved. It has to be a riot to drive, nimble as hell, and rev happy like a mother with that tuned up Cosworth ‘banger in there. The more and more time we spend wrenching on and driving Buford T Justice, the more and more we appreciate simple combos that work very well and don’t try to act like they are reinventing the automobile. The sheer functionality of the car is a testament to the fact that someone thought about this project and bought the pieces they needed, not the ones screaming from the hills about how revolutionary they are.

We’ve never wanted a Vega so badly!

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE PHOTOS AND THE EBAY LINK TO THIS TRICK LITTLE VEGA

eBay Link: 1974 Vega autocross/road race car – 100% BangShift approved!