[{"id": 4431184, "authorName": "Slick1964", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/slick1964/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Classic Vega color! I love it.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588009772, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4431230, "authorName": "Baur2002", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/baur2002/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Almost two million built and few survivors today thanks to thin sheet metal and little in the way of rust proofing. Hopefully the next steward of this car will have an aversion to salted food as a hint of salt has the potential to be terminal.", "likes": 7, "timestamp": 1588010199, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4431283, "authorName": "Electraglider", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/electraglider/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I started selling cars in the mid 70's. Nothing... and I mean nothing was a colder trade in than a Vega. A couple years later and the catch on fire rear end collision Pinto joined its ranks, followed a few years later by Citation and it's BOP counterparts. So few of these models have survived. Very cool and in my opinion the styling has weathered just fine.", "likes": 8, "timestamp": 1588010567, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4431348, "authorName": "darthmustang", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/darthmustang/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Add a SBC and a third pedal and let the fun begin!", "likes": 6, "timestamp": 1588010729, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4431355, "authorName": "bobcatslim_MT", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/bobcatslim_mt/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "This brings back lots of memories! Great lines on these early Vegas. I had a friend in high school who was always dragging home some clapped out Vega (in the late 80s) and stuffing in a 305 or swapping transmissions, etc. His were in rough shape even way back then!", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588010766, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4431394, "authorName": "1969L88", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/1969l88/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "These cars are awesome with a small block! Back in the 80s A couple of these with small blocks would compete at the local drag strip....... they were hard to beat. They look like small camaros.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588010959, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4431417, "authorName": "craZee", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/crazee/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Why are we now attracted to cars that were so bad when they came out?", "likes": 14, "timestamp": 1588011028, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4431471, "authorName": "3Pedalonly", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/3pedalonly/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Vincent Vega", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588011263, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4431473, "authorName": "edwardc", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/edwardc/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "\"Why are we now attracted to cars that were so bad when they came out?\" Haha, I was thinking the same thing. I'm pretty sure the ever so slightly mis-matched paint on the passenger front fender is probably factory!", "likes": 11, "timestamp": 1588011267, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4431479, "authorName": "Thirty-three-and-a-third", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/thirty-three-and-a-third/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Oh So Cool. I had a 1976 Vega that I rolled off a mountain road - roof was strong enough to have kept me alive. Loved that car. This is the quintessential Vega color. GLWA", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588011292, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4431514, "authorName": "SDCR", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/sdcr/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "\"I\u2019m pretty sure the ever so slightly mis-matched paint on the passenger front fender is probably factory!\"\r\n\r\nTwo tone Green.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588011520, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4431551, "authorName": "Y2K911", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/y2k911/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Does this Vega have the original factory rust? \r\n\r\nI always wonder what the story is on cars like this, why are the miles so low? What caused someone to store this for so long?", "likes": 10, "timestamp": 1588011699, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4431576, "authorName": "superfinemind", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/superfinemind/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Low mileage survivors are always interesting, the body style has aged well, and it's a great color combo. But although to us dinosaurs 1972 doesn't seem that far back, seeing this car now is a stark reminder of just how far the American auto industry has progressed in the last 48 years.", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588011816, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4431608, "authorName": "RandyP63", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/randyp63/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "We would drive past the Lordstown, OH plant all the time as kids. If my memory serves me correctly a Vega was parked on a ramp outside of the factory. Maybe the most successful part of Vega production was the Vert-a-PAC system to transport these to the dealers. \r\n\r\nTo be honest, I thought these were cool looking back in the day, kind of a mini second generation Camaro. Just when I think that every oddball vehicle has been on BaT, this pops up. Unbelievable it has survived.", "likes": 8, "timestamp": 1588011996, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4431665, "authorName": "Brewster", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/brewster/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Yep somebody is going to V8 that puppy", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588012343, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4431711, "authorName": "92Saleen", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/92saleen/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Quick question...this little Vega is written up showing and auto transmission, but in the pictures I see a 4 speed. Now just as a thought, these little baby cars used to house 350 LT 4 bolt motors really well with either a 4 speed or an auto. I have a friend who built one into one scary little bomb. He stuffed a blown big block running race fuel. Obviously the frame has been helped, roll cage added and a full pro street treatment done. I have seen that car on Mickey Thompson's run a sub 9 second quarter mile too! He drives it to the track and drives it home! Rode up to the races on a Saturday night with him - one hell of a ride on the highway when challenged by a full tilt Honda. Needless to say the Honda didn't have a chance. This one is a great starting point - or a nice classic for someone's daughter to drive to High School.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588012551, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4431782, "authorName": "Treepeddler", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/treepeddler/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@92Saleen Zoom in on picture 27 and you can see the auto shift indicator.", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588012828, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4431793, "authorName": "Bobo_Dupree", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/bobo_dupree/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Have never encountered a coolant level alert system before, not an encouraging accessory. First new car my father every purchased was a Vega, still his most loathed vehicle he ever owned.", "likes": 7, "timestamp": 1588012991, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4432060, "authorName": "Bricklin2117", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/bricklin2117/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I had the Pontiac version of this as well as a Monza Spyder. Monza was a 350 tuned for alcohol(maybe a precursor to Ethanol fuel?) and the Sunfire was converted to 350/4speed with a Cuda hood skin grafted on. Shame it was a 2 Dr sedan body style and not the fastback. I alwaysvthought that these got a bad rap until my mother bought one and in no time you could unlock the doors by raising the deteriorating door skin!!\r\nNeat car-GLWTA", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1588013789, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4432116, "authorName": "Weasel_Atty", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/weasel_atty/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "GM in 1972. They give us the choice between the half-baked (though good looking) Vega, or the much better (but dealer despised) Opel Manta. In the end they screw them both up. Just imagine if GM had simply built Mantas at Lordstown, and Ford had simply built the Cortina in San Jose instead of the Pinto.", "likes": 14, "timestamp": 1588014013, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4432153, "authorName": "Capt_Nemo", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/capt_nemo/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Best be prepared to push if the A/C kicks on when you're trying to accelerate, especially with the auto trans.\r\n\r\nThe looks have held up nicely over the years...GLWTA!", "likes": 5, "timestamp": 1588014136, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4432204, "authorName": "MTN", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mtn/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Weasel_Atty\r\nTotally agree with you. My first car was a \u201874 Opel Manta. Fantastic driving car and well built. But Buick dealers who sold them backed them half heartedly. Vegas were half baked but nice looking. The Cosworth version came too late and was too expensive to save the Vega\u2019s image. I still can\u2019t believe the first years were black on black and A\\C was not available.", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1588014419, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4432235, "authorName": "mr_smee", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mr_smee/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "You can't fault the styling, but for some engineering hubris by GM and big quality issues it could have been the beginning of something rather than the end. They did sell a lot of them but each one ended up turning people into lifetime Toyota/Honda buyers afterwards.", "likes": 15, "timestamp": 1588014591, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4432330, "authorName": "Mark_in_Thousand_Oaks", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mark_in_thousand_oaks/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "A '76 Vega GT is the only car we've owned (from new) in California that was able to rust through from the amount of moisture in the morning dew. Planned obsolesce?", "likes": 10, "timestamp": 1588015066, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4432448, "authorName": "Calstickshift", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/calstickshift/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "These remind me of some women I've known. How can something that looks so good be so bad?", "likes": 19, "timestamp": 1588015863, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4432450, "authorName": "Type44", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/type44/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I\u2019m not sure what\u2019s more odd: the Vega was a great looking car with a bad engine, while the Pinto was the opposite. Or that AMC\u2019s competitor was 50% more engine than either, served up in 2/3 of a Hornet!", "likes": 7, "timestamp": 1588015872, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4432457, "authorName": "akcapbring", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/akcapbring/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "While every other small car maker was hanging AC units under their dashboards, it's interesting that GM actually designed the Vega from the outset with a fully designed heating and ventilation system, with fully integral dash vents and controls that seemed presciently coherant --in 1970. No one else was doing this in small cars in 1970. With all the noise about Vega's being horrible, was the interior AC and ventilation any better than other cars?", "likes": 6, "timestamp": 1588016027, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4432537, "authorName": "Manywheels59", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/manywheels59/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Now this is a survivor!", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588016436, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4432566, "authorName": "kbg", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/kbg/", "bidAmount": 500, "content": "$500 bid placed by kbg", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588016582, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 4432555, "authorName": "jld3601q", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/jld3601q/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Had a wagon version of one of these in college in the 70s- yellow with black/white hounds-tooth interior. I could move all of my worldly goods in it. And it never failed to start, even after sitting outdoors in -50 degree (wind chill) temps in the blizzard of 1977-78 (I think). But it burned oil like it was going out of style - awful motor design! Rusted like crazy, too. As good as it was to me, it's one of the cars that I have owned that I never get nostalgic about. Never.", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1588016697, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4432629, "authorName": "Richard_Ridge", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/richard_ridge/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "The hatchback version of the original model is both good looking, fairly practical and by now rare. The engine is rough, noisy, and unreliable so an engine swap could make sense. I doubt the rear end will long endure a V8's torque. Perhaps a longitudinal Ecotec?", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588017063, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4432767, "authorName": "PDXBryan", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/pdxbryan/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I\u2019ve always thought these early Vegas are especially good looking. How could you go wrong with a miniature 2nd gen Camaro? Well, somehow GM found a way :^(\r\n\r\n@Richard_Ridge\r\nYes to the Ecotec swap! That would be the Cosworth Vega we hoped for back in the day.", "likes": 5, "timestamp": 1588017813, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4432876, "authorName": "malex", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/malex/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "From a style standpoint, I always thought the Vegas were nice looking cars. GM's execution simply was piss poor. And the pre-'75 cars are the best looking, before the switch over to the heavy aluminum 5 mph crash bumpers. I had a '75 Cosworth Vega when I was younger and thought the car would've been much better in the earlier style.\r\n\r\nEveryone defaults to putting a LS or older small block into one of these. I certainly get the sentiment. But I'm going to go against the grain . . . it'd be a great car for an EV conversion. Change out the diff so that it can handle the torque from an electric motor, put Wilwoods at all 4 corner, and restore/improve the suspension/wheels. It'd make for a fun around town car.\r\n\r\nI do also like the Ecotec swap idea.", "likes": 5, "timestamp": 1588018271, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4432909, "authorName": "Eric_E.", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/eric_e.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I remember theses. Fill up the Oil & Check the Gas. Hard to put The Old Oil Can Spout in the Hole without making a Mess too! Engineering at its Finest.", "likes": 7, "timestamp": 1588018682, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4432975, "authorName": "kbg", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/kbg/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Does the owner have a video of the car with engine running and/or being driven? Thanks", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588018683, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4432980, "authorName": "SmokeandMirrors", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/smokeandmirrors/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Had one of these (mostly) in this color in high school. I say mostly because I had to replace the rusted out front right fender with an orange one and my mom kept calling it a partially ripe tomato... actually ran pretty well. Ahhh those were the days.. Kansas blaring on the am radio and the sound of that aluminum 4cyl shifting through the two speed automatic...", "likes": 8, "timestamp": 1588018707, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4433022, "authorName": "David_P", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/david_p/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Will this be delivered to the buyer vertically?", "likes": 13, "timestamp": 1588018897, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4433419, "authorName": "WAGONBOYTD", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/wagonboytd/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Hey did you happen to find my virginity in this when prepping for sale?", "likes": 12, "timestamp": 1588020416, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4433456, "authorName": "looselugnut", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/looselugnut/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "My sister had a base Vega in the early seventies and I used to sneak it out in the middle of the night, being underage with no license. She used to complain that she thought it was supposed to be an economy car, but always had to refill the tank. Hmmmm.\r\n\r\nJust recently \u2013 decades later \u2013 I told her about my late-night excursions. The look on her face expressed all I needed to know. For some reason she didn\u2019t see the humor in my story.", "likes": 20, "timestamp": 1588020605, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4433529, "authorName": "AirEngr", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/airengr/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "We had a 73 Vega back in the day. Not a good experience. This one looks great, just need to stuff a small block and a 5 speed trans into it.", "likes": 7, "timestamp": 1588021080, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4433538, "authorName": "GC19", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/gc19/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I\u2019m surprised to see the \u201872 Vega have Kilometers per hour (KMH) units on the speedometer. This had to be one of the first on an American built car.", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588021271, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4433580, "authorName": "BigLar", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/biglar/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Was excited to see this on BAT. Then I saw it had an auto trans. Total let down.", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1588021360, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4433612, "authorName": "PDXBryan", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/pdxbryan/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@malex\r\nI like the EV idea! If you\u2019re not already familiar, check out some of Damien Maguire\u2019s projects on the PooTube.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588021480, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4433751, "authorName": "Davidobx77 (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/davidobx77/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I do have a video of the car running", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588022268, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4433757, "authorName": "bdk", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/bdk/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Bring-A-Beater!\r\n\r\nMy parents bought one new in 1973, a silver Kammback GT wagon for about $3,500. It replaced the family '63 Stingray. The Vega was their first, last and only new GM car. Went to the big wrecking yard in the sky in the winter of 1978, not because of rust, and yes the fenders were about to fall off, but because the trans stopped shifting and it wasn't worth fixing at 44,000 miles. Even Ziebart rustproofing couldn't save it, the rust started on the outside and went in through the paint, not from the inside out.\r\n\r\nThe engine oil consumption problems were easily sorted with aftermarket iron liners and new pistons, but with the Chicago winters and road salt, it wasn't cost effective.\r\n\r\nToo bad, it was a great driving car.", "likes": 7, "timestamp": 1588022285, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4433783, "authorName": "James_Bennett", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/james_bennett/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I think much of the reason we never see Vegas anymore is because they RUST!\r\nVegas had rust issues.", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1588022495, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4433742, "authorName": "montreal", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/montreal/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I remember our 1974 Vega's engine kept on running ( dieseling) during one full minute after removing the key from the ignition...And the o\u00efl consumption, the incredible rust, etc...What a lemon...", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588022538, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4434216, "authorName": "ppointer", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/ppointer/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Amazing condition for a Vega - no rust! My father bought a new '74 right before I got my license. Rust came through during year two, and a recall took care of it if I remember correctly. Car ran really well until I crashed it during my freshman year at college. Fun to drive with a 4-speed.", "likes": 5, "timestamp": 1588025113, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4434271, "authorName": "NotJayleno", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/notjayleno/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "\"My 71 Maverick with an in line six 200 cid auto with single barrel carb is faster than your 4 banger Vega! Wanna run 'em for pinks? \" ha ha good times on cruise nights! GLWTA!", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588025855, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4434285, "authorName": "namesake", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/namesake/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "There should be a museum interested in this car. It's obviously not destined to be someone's daily driver. (I hope it doesn't get an SBC conversion; there are enough of those out there already.) At any rate, good luck with the auction!", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588026064, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4434304, "authorName": "namesake", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/namesake/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Mr_smee, below, had it right. According to Brock Yates's book \"The Decline and Fall of the American Automobile Industry,\" the Vega (and Pinto) were allegedly introduced to convince the American buying public that small cars--including the Datsuns and Toyotas then growing in popularity (and Volkswagens that already were popular)--were, by necessity, cheap cars. As he put it (quote approximate), \"They were supposed to act like hired assassins, to eradicate the import car nuisance and disappear from the scene as quickly as possible.\" Unfortunately for GM (and Ford), they only convinced the public that American cars were crapbuckets, and we all know the story from that point forward.", "likes": 12, "timestamp": 1588026494, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4434344, "authorName": "MoparMan", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/moparman/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I learned to drive stick in a Vega just like this one, except that it was the base one, plain seats and 3 speed manual. This car is actually very well optioned; it has deluxe interior, a clock!, A/C, a rear window defroster, and the swing out rear windows! The door strikers have paint on them, evidence of a possible respray maybe? I would be concerned about the continued longevity of the original engine, but otherwise, a really nice survivor! I must admit, I have an irrational desire to bid, If only this were a 4 speed!! GLWTA! :-)", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588026991, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4434368, "authorName": "Kayemtee", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/kayemtee/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "As someone old enough to remember the debut and demise of this car, I feel confident in saying this might have been, despite its seemingly good looks, the biggest piece of junk ever made in this country.", "likes": 7, "timestamp": 1588027344, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4434453, "authorName": "John_M", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/john_m/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "New there would be loads of comments on this one.\r\n\r\nCan anyone answer why there were vents on the trunk lid? I also spy one of those old school registration holders wrapped around the steering wheel.\r\n\r\nNeat find.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588028792, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4434498, "authorName": "David_P", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/david_p/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@John_M, those vent cabin pressure. Air comes in through the HVAC system, and it has to go out somewhere.", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588029401, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4434592, "authorName": "olcar62", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/olcar62/", "bidAmount": 650, "content": "$650 bid placed by olcar62", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588031154, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 4434614, "authorName": "olcar62", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/olcar62/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "had a NEW 72 GT hatch in white over tan. I rushed out and bought one after that Movie came out: who could ever forget Elvis in \"Viva los Vegas\" !", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588031522, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4434652, "authorName": "DaveinGigHarbor", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/daveingigharbor/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Ex-wife came in to the marriage with a fairly new Vega (with payments) and $8,000 in debt in 1977. Got married, went on a honeymoon, got back and got the crappy Vega sold. Sadly, a friend of my wife's bought it and I always felt guilty as the head gasket started leaking then the thing just blew up. They do still look nice though.", "likes": 7, "timestamp": 1588032150, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4434676, "authorName": "Classichondaman", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/classichondaman/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "My Dad had a 73 Vega GT (admittedly I encouraged the purchase) and it actually was a good car for about 90K miles. Great body style and very good handling. I also really liked the dashboard with full instrumentation, even if it was rather cheaply made. We traded it before much happened, but apparently none of them went too far beyond 100k without some oil burning.\r\n\r\nStill, at this early stage in the auction, I am in for ANY car with steel wheels!", "likes": 6, "timestamp": 1588032603, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4434679, "authorName": "Classichondaman", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/classichondaman/", "bidAmount": 750, "content": "$750 bid placed by Classichondaman", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588032653, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 4434712, "authorName": "Desmo", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/desmo/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "When these came to market, I went to the local Chevrolet dealer and began negotiations. I wanted to buy one as a gift for my mother. We discussed options and price and then, as it came time to put down a deposit, the dealer (small dealership, he didn't have salespeople) suddenly just put his head in his hands and said, \"Stop! I can't do it. I can't sell you one of these cars to give away for a present. Your mother would end up hating you.\"", "likes": 20, "timestamp": 1588033572, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4434904, "authorName": "Athos", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/athos/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Seems like a modern turbo 4 or V6 would fit there. Or well, as stated below V8. #LSTHEWORLD then!\r\n\r\nI would go for maximum trolling factor here: tuned Camry 2.5 or Hilux 2.7 or 20V 4AGE.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588036789, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4434937, "authorName": "Mgaguy", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mgaguy/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Vega. ..... ah the memories.\r\nUnfortunately all bad\r\nTake your pick back then - Pinto or Vega\r\nWhich would you choose?", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588037278, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4434942, "authorName": "Thirty-three-and-a-third", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/thirty-three-and-a-third/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I forgot about the Chevrolet \"Bowtie\" shaped hi-beam indicator light on the dash. Photo #25 - A 1972 Easter egg!", "likes": 6, "timestamp": 1588037450, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4435119, "authorName": "kbg", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/kbg/", "bidAmount": 850, "content": "$850 bid placed by kbg", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588040657, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 4435204, "authorName": "iamcharliejudd", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/iamcharliejudd/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "amazingly preserved for a vehicle that reportedly rusted in dealer showrooms", "likes": 7, "timestamp": 1588042186, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4435232, "authorName": "Maroons", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/maroons/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Great looking car\r\n\r\nIn the early 80\u2019s I was given a \u201874 Astre same color, didn\u2019t pass safety inspection, my buddy\u2019s dad the mechanic noted the frame is not broken, it just isn\u2019t really there anymore!\r\n\r\nAnyone know if a Cosworth Vega engine suffers the same issues as a regular version?", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588042996, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4435286, "authorName": "MarkusStupendus", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/markusstupendus/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Had a 71' with a 4 speed. I got up to 90k, blew the head gasket, purchased a \"sleeved\" long block. Put on another 50k or so before it ended up in an accident. 4 speed. I loved that car!", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1588044597, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4435310, "authorName": "OscarGT", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/oscargt/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "In picture 42 i believe i see a penny, but it may even be a dime. Is that included in the sale?", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588045330, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4435334, "authorName": "Electraglider", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/electraglider/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Head gasket usually gave up before the dust through. The early Japanese and European cars had rust issues as well. But everything rusted back in the day. I remember watching the pavement through the floorboards on my dad's 56 Bel Air in 1960. Minneapolis salt and weather killed everything.", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1588046158, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4435338, "authorName": "mrvans", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mrvans/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@John_M The louvers on the rear hatch were part of GM\u2019s \u201cflow through ventilation\u201d system introduced in the early 70\u2019s. The all-new \u201871 full size GM cars also had the telltale louvers. They only lasted one year as they were prone to leaks and rust. As if the poor Vega needed any more help rusting, the louvers were also gone after \u201872.", "likes": 7, "timestamp": 1588046250, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4435368, "authorName": "jonathano", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/jonathano/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I had a very positive experience with a coswortt Vega while attending university of Pennsylvania in 1977. Bought the car for $200 sold it same day for $400. That was worth 8 weeks of part time work washing pots in the law school dining room. \r\nParlayed into a $1200 914. Serious $$$!!", "likes": 9, "timestamp": 1588047486, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4435468, "authorName": "speedbump", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/speedbump/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "For what it's worth, the 73's were the more, uhhhh, desirable models as this was the only year with the small bumpers and the Saginaw 4-speed from the Nova/Camaro/Malibu models. This replaced the weaker Opel manual transmissions.\n30+ years ago, a good friend of mine had a '73 GT Kammback with a Buick odd-fire 231 V6 and 4-speed. Nice balanced rde until the salt air of long Beach, CA took it's toll.", "likes": 6, "timestamp": 1588054158, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4435485, "authorName": "RodgerRabbit", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/rodgerrabbit/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Has the block been resleeved? If not prepare for an engine reborn and sleeve .", "likes": 6, "timestamp": 1588055294, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4435559, "authorName": "GC19", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/gc19/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Photo #42 shows the aluminum trim rings for the wheels stored in the right footwell of the backseat. Can\u2019t help to wonder why they were not installed for the BaT presentation.", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588069964, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4435607, "authorName": "buickboy63", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/buickboy63/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "In the late 70\u2019s living in California, self service wrecking yards became all the rage. I remember a large sign outside one of the yards \u201cWE\u2019LL PAY $150 FOR ANY CAR, RUNNING OR NOT! \u201cNO MAZDAS NO VEGAS\u201d Ironically early Mazda\u2019s are worth a ton. Vegas not so much", "likes": 11, "timestamp": 1588074400, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4435611, "authorName": "jsmithba", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/jsmithba/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "My mom bought a '72 Vega as her first new car when I was a wee jsmithba. It was spec'd much like this one as an automatic hatch, but silver with a black cloth interior. Well, sort of. They got a deal on it because it was misbuilt with cloth front seats and a vinyl rear seat. My parents didn't mind since they didn't have to swelter on the black vinyl, but it made for easy clean-up when I'd spill food/juice/etc in back. She had it for undercoated when new, and through 3-4 years of Michigan weather it showed very little rust for a Vega. Other Vega owners used to ask her why hers still looked so good. In fact, the '75 Pontiac Ventura Sprint that replaced her Vega rusted considerably faster in the same amount of time. I guess she got a good one!", "likes": 7, "timestamp": 1588074806, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4435657, "authorName": "CPRT", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/cprt/", "bidAmount": 3072, "content": "$3,072 bid placed by CPRT", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588076657, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 4435733, "authorName": "MRVEGAGT", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mrvegagt/", "bidAmount": 3200, "content": "$3,200 bid placed by MRVEGAGT", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588078046, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 4435771, "authorName": "hercules65", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/hercules65/", "bidAmount": 3650, "content": "$3,650 bid placed by hercules65", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588078878, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 4435798, "authorName": "Billwi", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/billwi/", "bidAmount": 4000, "content": "$4,000 bid placed by Billwi", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588079347, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 4435938, "authorName": "Tigers196884", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/tigers196884/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Ughh. Starting to twitch. Sold my 69 Red Nova SS to buy a Silver 72 Vega. Seriously, I did..", "likes": 7, "timestamp": 1588081784, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4435965, "authorName": "bonanzace", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/bonanzace/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Had a 71 It started using massive amounts of oil and when the oil light was on a safety feature cut the power to the fuel pump. Found out the hard way on the side of the interstate. I solved that.... 5 gallon gas can in the passenger side filled with oil and a tube hooked to the winshield washer pump and the other end to a hole I drilled in the rubber oil fill plug. When the oil light started to flicker I would push the wash button and go on my merry way!", "likes": 20, "timestamp": 1588082266, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4436079, "authorName": "cyclemikey", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/cyclemikey/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Unmolested Vegas are rare as hen's teeth; it would be kind of a shame to modify this one now, even though it's not the most desirable in terms of trim and equipment. They really were good-looking cars but no car could overcome all the design defects the Vega had to contend with.\r\n\r\nI had two friends, also co-workers, who bought a new Vega back in the day. Both were '73 GT's, a dark green hatchback and a silver wagon. They both drove those cars in daily commuter service for quite a number of years and were very happy with them. Rust wasn't so much of an issue in Southern California and they were both 'car-guys' so the cars weren't abused or lacking for maintenance.\r\n\r\nOn the other hand, my better half had a new one back then, too - a '76 hatch, black. It wasn't around long as I understand, but still managed to earn the title of Worst Car Ever Owned, hand down. We didn't know each other then, but I still hear about that car.\r\n\r\nStill, two outa three ain't bad.", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1588083578, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4436184, "authorName": "FrankFuchs", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/frankfuchs/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I got 9 tickets in 1973 in one of these with a LT1 in it. The turbo 400 would chirp the tires on the 1-2 shift no matter how hard you tried not to. \r\nPossibly the most fun was intentionally backfiring it when had the 4 banger in it. For all the faults the thing may have had, the muffler was bulletproof.", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1588084992, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4436234, "authorName": "djac70", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/djac70/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "What is \"pro-tecto-plate?\" Rustproofing?", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588085786, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4436305, "authorName": "Ken_H.", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/ken_h.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "While stationed at Ft Monroe, Va back in '71, I tried to buy a new Vega sedan. Ordered it with the 3 speed, carpets, adjustable passenger seat, and an AM radio. Put $50 down and went to the credit union on base to arrange financing. They turned me down as I only had 6 more months to serve in the Army. I've been thanking them for that refusal ever since!", "likes": 6, "timestamp": 1588086751, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4436455, "authorName": "CFD", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/cfd/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "To bad they cancelled Coucourse De LEMONS in Monterey this year. This care could have been a contender.", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588088483, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4436594, "authorName": "Penderosa", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/penderosa/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "These cars rusted on the showroom floor!", "likes": 5, "timestamp": 1588090484, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4436760, "authorName": "MAXTHEAX", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/maxtheax/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Baldwin-Motion made a nice 454CID version till the feds presented a \"cease and desist order\".", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588092764, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4436820, "authorName": "Thirty-three-and-a-third", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/thirty-three-and-a-third/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Djac70 - Gooogle is your friend. \r\n\"The Protect-O-Plate \u2014 a thin metal plate or plastic card issued to car owners starting in the '60s to help dealers track warranty work \u2014 has become a \"buzz word\" for collectors wishing to document the authenticity of their vehicles. Apparently the term \"Protect-O-Plate\" was used solely by General Motors.\"", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588093504, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4438271, "authorName": "DaveWoo", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/davewoo/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "My father was a car dealer during the Vega era and he loved orphans/underdogs like the Volkswagen auto/stick, Renaults, Pintos etc, and he loved the Vega. So we were one of the few used car dealers that would give bids on Vegas that were coming in trade to new car dealers so we always had plenty of them. We found out that Chevrolet had one of the first \"unpublished\" or unadvertised extended warranties and we took full advantage of it. We would buy the cars cheap and get the new engine for nothing but a small deductible and make a nice little profit. If we sold one to a customer and the engine would go bad later (and they almost always did) we would get it replaced by the factory and be a hero to our client. @buickboy63 Like car dealers most junk yards had little or no interest in buying the Vega because the engine would be either junk already or if they sold a used one it could be anytime soon after they sold it. The Vega and Mazda (I talked about this on BaT recently) were alike because unlike most engines that go bad they start giving symptoms but the Vega/Mazda rotary would be fine one day and go junk the next. No warning just go from purring like a kitten (Not the Chev, the Mazda purred) one minute and, kaboom, pouring oil smoke, anti-freeze etc the next, @Maroons The later replacement block Vega engines were sleeved so I'm pretty sure the Cosworth engines were also. I never heard of any of them having a problem. Around 1999-2,000 I bought one that needed a little restoration and while I don't remember the exact miles I think it wasn't really very low or really high, probably between 50-70,000 and it was the original engine. Like many have said I hope the new owner keeps the engine stock. I'm over seeing every Vega with a nose heavy V-8 in the front and some old set of fat \"Mickey Thomson Super Stockers\" type tire hanging out the back with some high school shop class looking flares on the hand cut wheel wells. GLWTA and thanks for bringing this excellent original Chevrolet to BaT. And I mean original right down to the seventies quality paint match on the right front fender. Obviously done by my old friends at the \"Helen Keller Automotive\" paint supply.", "likes": 8, "timestamp": 1588102682, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4438649, "authorName": "West-Coaster", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/west-coaster/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@kacapbring\r\n\"With all the noise about Vega\u2019s being horrible, was the interior AC and ventilation any better than other cars?\"\r\n\r\nGM was the king of air conditioning back then (they even offered it on the Corvair, integrated into the dash of the '65 redesign), and as with all their other vehicles, it worked wonderfully in these. \r\n\r\nI had a '73 Vega GT with factory air, and even with the black vinyl seats and hot SoCal summers, it became the figurative meat locker inside. \r\n\r\nBTW, someone earlier said they \"ruined\" the car in 1975 with the safety bumpers. That was actually '74, when the Vega got the slant-nose treatment, along with the Camaro and Laguna S-3. Same year the Vette went to soft rear, as the federal bumper law went fully into effect for 1974. \r\n\r\nGLWTS", "likes": 6, "timestamp": 1588104506, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4438842, "authorName": "lpethick", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/lpethick/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Kind of interesting that there's a matching green '73 AMC Hornet on BaT to go along with this sale. Now if someone would sell a matching green Pinto for the trifecta! https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1973-amc-hornet-2/", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1588105415, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4438976, "authorName": "lpethick", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/lpethick/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I just read a series of articles about how these cars and their Astre sisters were shipped vertically (nose down) on rail cars to maximize the pack and reduce shipping costs. To do that, several features of the car were developed to prevent the leaking of fluids, etc. Google Vert-A-Pac to learn more.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588106099, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4439475, "authorName": "tta1387", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/tta1387/", "bidAmount": 4200, "content": "$4,200 bid placed by tta1387", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588108051, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 4439662, "authorName": "RodgerRabbit", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/rodgerrabbit/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Chevy would be amazed and pleased to see a Vega get so much appreciation!", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588108743, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4440090, "authorName": "Capt_Nemo", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/capt_nemo/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "The Vega had an interesting engine...it had an aluminum block without steel sleeves on the cylinders. A first for the automotive market, and a concept later used by Mercedes Benz (among others), probably not the best choice to introduce in an economy car market.\r\n\r\nAs I recall, the early cars were prone to overheating. They would puke out some coolant but keep running. The overheating would warp the block, though, resulting in distorted cylinder bores and excess oil consumption. GM introduced the coolant recovery system to alleviate the problem but it was a case of \"too late smart\". The last year or two of Vegas ( and their Pontiac Astre cousins) had the Pontiac \"Iron Duke\" 2.5 L engines.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588110441, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4440413, "authorName": "crazy4cars", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/crazy4cars/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Refreshing to see a Vega with a stock 4 cylinder in between the fenders. Nice car.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588113941, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4440654, "authorName": "Gary_T1", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/gary_t1/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Pinto guy here through and through. IMHO, the Pinto is twice the car than the Vega with one big exception: styling. This one is a plain Jane and it still looks cool. Add the GT livery in red and it looks like a mini Camaro headed for the local track. No matter what Ford did to the Pinto, it always looked like...well...a Pinto. \r\n\r\nThis one is very nice, and there are damn few of these left. Like all US cars from the era, they rusted fiercely, and when you add the engine issues that plagued all of them, there's just not many around, and I'll bet NONE like this one. GLWTA!", "likes": 8, "timestamp": 1588118492, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4441068, "authorName": "Justlookn", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/justlookn/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Well preserved and presented but it\u2019s a Vega and........never mind.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588125907, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4441098, "authorName": "Cytoboy", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/cytoboy/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I know the Vega has a less than stellar reputation, but I truly believe this is a beautiful car, insofar as exterior design is concerned. I recall my parents purchasing a version in tan and having to take it back for a paint re-spray. It seems that there were panels below the knee level that were either bare metal or had only primer. The finish was much like 220 grit sandpaper. Where was the pride in the UAW? Simply no excuse for the lapses we saw in quality control at the time.", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1588126358, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4441138, "authorName": "AAkron87", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/aakron87/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "This is exactly why I come here...to see time machines like this and that beautiful 35 Buick.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588127117, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4441221, "authorName": "JohnMeister", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/johnmeister/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I'm with @Gary_T1 on this one... Had several pintos, but will concede that the Vega had better styling... the Vega GT's were cool looking cars... it's a shame that these weren't better built. Even out here on the green side of the mountains in the PNW where Jeeps don't rust they mold... Vegas still rust... and I've seen... TWO in 35 years up here...", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588128815, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4441228, "authorName": "Dr_Randy", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/dr_randy/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Ive been reading the comments and chuckling about the comparisons between the early Mazdas and the Vega because, in HS and college, my best friend drove a Vega and I drove a Mazda GLC. Mine a 78 and his a 76 GT. They were laughably the most incompetent vehicles ever made and we experienced every failure described in these comments at least once; with one notable exception, neither of our cars ever experienced rust while we owned them. Both were automatics and our gear shifters both snapped off and we had a pair of vice grips clamped to the selectors so we could change gears (dangerous because neither of us had a shift lockout so you could go shift into reverse out park while driving). My AC broke early in the game and if his ever had it, it was broken. His starter had some fault so occasionally it had to be started by my friend getting under the hood with a screw driver and shorting the starter. As someone else earlier described, one day while I was driving my GLC, I accelerated, lost power, and in the rear view mirror saw a giant cloud of white smoke. Kept driving it until I could get it home, and then to our family mechanic who was able to get it back together again. Pretty sure it was a head gasket. You never wanted to take it on the highway. It had a top speed of barely 55. If you tucked in tight behind a semi you could get it up to about 65 but I learned that this behavior pissed off truckers and if you did it for too long they would veer over on to the shoulder and shower your car with rocks and pebbles to shake you off. It was effective strategy . One day in the Mazda, the passenger window just fell into the door. When Pop tried to fix it, it shattered. I drove it through an entire icy Oklahoma winter with a towel shut in the door. Who needs visibility out that side anyway? (Which brings up an interesting fact, both heaters in the Vega and GLC worked great!) The Vega had a little trailer hitch and we would tow a Hobie cat out to the lake several times a week and it always got us there in back. It was a great little tow car. The GLC had a big rear hatch and with the rear seats folded down we could fit an entire go cart in there and shut the hatch. If rust is an issue with the Vegas, then thin sheet metal was the bane of the GLC. Literally, if you leaned on it, you would put a dent in it. Every body panel looked like the surface of the moon by the time it went to that wrecking yard in the sky. Car stereos? What are those? Neither worked. Thats what the boom box in the back seat was for. The GLC used to diesel like crazy. In fact, the least embarrassing way to shut it off was not by turning off the ignition, but by pulling out the choke and killing it. (There was a pair of pliers in the car specifically for this because the knob had pulled off and there was just a stub of braided cable sticking out of the dash in its place. Grab that and pull and the car would die. Turn off the ignition and it would still be dieseling when you got out and walked away from it. Not cool on a date.) We never thought of them as crappy cars. They were just cars with quirks and we loved them because they were ours. We called mine The Hemi and his The American Driving Machine (you always said that with a hokey Russian accent). I don't recall what happened to the Vega but The Hemi got handed down to my brother and when it finally expired it was sold for scrap and crushed into a tiny reddish orange box. (We were never actually sure of the color because when it was purchased new it was much more red than the orange it eventually faded into). My best friend is still my best friend and we have both come a long way in finding our fortunes. I could walk in to any Mazda dealer, and he in to any Chevy dealer, and buy any car on the lot. Cash. And still have money for dinner and dessert. But either of us would rather spend that money and find a car just like the one ones we had in high school. But they just exist. None seemed to have survived. I probably wouldn't even drive it. Chances are they would be broken beyond repair, but I would sit in it, and smell the familiar smell, and recall the day I took my drivers test in it. I would remember Renee and my first kiss on my first date and maybe for a few minutes feel like that kid again. Why do we remember fondly cars that were so crappy when they came out? Thats why. Because they were ours and we were kids that could afford them. Just like I will never forget my first kiss with Renee, I will never forget my first car.", "likes": 5, "timestamp": 1588129140, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4441788, "authorName": "Patrick01", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/patrick01/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "The Vega is truly a beautiful car. Yeah, the engine was crap the first few years, but the car itself is a thing of beauty...Especially the split-bumper GT! The bucket seats were quite nice for the day, the dash is laid out nicely, and they made for great engine swaps. One of my favorites is the Buick V6. There is one locally that the owner bought in 1974 as a year-old trade-in. He put the V6 in it right away, and later swapped in a Buick Turbo V6 from a totalled Grand National! He did a few suspension improvements, but if you look at the car from any angle, you'd never guess what's under the skin! \n \nI can imagine how leisurely this must go with the automatic, and the A/C on!\n\nI graduated in the late '70s. Ten years later, you hardly saw a Vega in any condition after 1988 or so. Crazy!", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588164631, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4441809, "authorName": "Maroons", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/maroons/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@DaveWoo - I must be a sucker for orphans & underdogs \r\n\r\nFirst car was a \u201869 VW autostick, \r\nlater the Pontiac Astre, \r\nthrow in a 1980 Chevy Citation \r\ncurrently still enjoying a Passat W8 Wagon with 200,000 miles and still going strong.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588164669, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4441853, "authorName": "West-Coaster", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/west-coaster/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Looking through the photos again, that cold air duct attached to the air cleaner must be from a later model, as these earlier cars definitely did not come that way. \r\n\r\nSpeaking of the air cleaner, here's a bit of Vega trivia. There was no \"element\" in the air cleaner - the ENTIRE assembly was designed to be replaced, metal housing and all. Some crafty DIY'ers did find ways to grind the housing apart and find a replacement element from another car that would fit. Or, most of us just did an aftermarket air cleaner.\r\n\r\nI imagine a New -Old-Stock AC or Fram replacement air cleaner still in the box is quite the treasure these days for the Vega faithful.", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588165341, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4442854, "authorName": "DaveWoo", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/davewoo/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Maroons Speaking of orphans and the Pontiac Astre, I've mentioned before my father was both a very successful car dealer and a talented gambler. In about 1974 or '75, as a very young adult my total net worth was a '70 LS5 El Camino that was worth around $2,000 plus the clothes on my back. My father made his usual weekend trip to a gambling town on the Utah/Nevada border and won not one, but two, twin, brand new Pontiac Astres (is that the correct plural of Astre?). I'm guessing they probably had sticker prices of maybe $4,000 apiece. I'm thinking here's my Dad, who had been very successful and wise in his business ventures and investments and was probably worth several million in today's dollars, winning two brand new cars. I still shake my head over him tripling my net worth with the simple tug on a slot machine handle. Sounds easy but he had a premonition of when the casino was ready to cut loose a shortbed Chev truck and missed it by about five minutes. @West-Coaster once again I'm amazed at the knowledge you have of cars of that era, Chevrolets in particular. I grew up in the business and Chevy was our favorite marque and thought I knew a lot more than the average car enthusiast. I had forgotten about the air cleaner set up. We took a small reciprocating electric saw and did the same, fitting the closest element in we could find. Great memory on your part.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588179213, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4443188, "authorName": "Vega_1971", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/vega_1971/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "The Vega durability flaws are pretty easy to correct. Mainly the stock radiators are quite inadequate for most climates. Who ever gets this one should upgrade it by at least a third and add an electric fan in front of the AC condenser. I have found it best to keep temp 180-190 degrees max. If this one has never overheated the block is probably still OK but will probably need valve seals as they were prone to get hard and quit sealing back then. Check and replace valve guides if needed at the same time. I drive my '71 or '74 Vega commuting every day in Houston traffic. I rebuilt engine in the '71 in 1984 and did valve job in '96. I rebuilt engine in the '74 in 1992 and have not touched inside of that engine since. NEVER let them get hot and keep the oil in good shape and they can be very durable and reliable. \r\n\r\nThe automatic transmission and air pump on this one will hold it back performance-wise but the best thing about any Vega is the handling (and styling of course). I hope this one does not get a V8 since that usually means the handling and driveability will suffer unless a lot of suspension and structural work is done. Wish I had room since I think the 71-72 Hatchback is the best looking car Chevrolet ever made. Styling-wise it is perfect.", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1588182069, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4445946, "authorName": "Dave_P6999", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/dave_p6999/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Maroons \"Anyone know if a Cosworth Vega engine suffers the same issues as a regular version?\"\n\nYes. I bought 75 #2001 in 1983 with the classic \"shrunken center cyl\" problem. I disassembled it, had the block sleeved, and put it back together. We used different rings to run on the iron liners, but no real other changes or differences. It ran well for the 3 years I kept it. I never drove it daily (No A/C in SoCal will keep you out of a black car), but it was a novel ownership experience.\n\nI too put a deposit on a 72 Vega. I was a 19 year old with a minimum wage job. I inquired about insuring it, and the premiums were more than the car payment. I could afford the car but not the car and its insurance. Thank goodness. It wouldn't have lasted long enough to pay it off.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588195210, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4446388, "authorName": "Type44", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/type44/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Vega 1971: thanks for the real-world perspective. It is, however, sad for the seller that the biggest Vega fan I\u2019ve ever encountered has apparently no room in the garage for this one.\r\n\r\nDoes anyone have a link to the \u201cit doesn\u2019t matter that it\u2019s French. All Vegas are crap\u201d tale told here regarding a Facel Vega Hk500?", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588197906, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4446894, "authorName": "jschauermann", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/jschauermann/", "bidAmount": 4300, "content": "$4,300 bid placed by jschauermann", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588205995, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 4446904, "authorName": "Empress", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/empress/", "bidAmount": 4400, "content": "$4,400 bid placed by Empress", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588206187, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 4446933, "authorName": "slammin", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/slammin/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "My mother bought a new 71 silver Kamback wagon. She never put many miles on it. It served her well for several years until my youngest brother \"borrowed\" it late one night and wrapped it around a tree. He survived unscratched. The Vega didn't.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588206583, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4447138, "authorName": "-Nate", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/-nate/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Looks pretty good, nice to see some Vega enthusiasts here .\r\n\r\nMe too .\r\n\r\n-Nate", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588210377, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4447633, "authorName": "jschauermann", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/jschauermann/", "bidAmount": 4500, "content": "$4,500 bid placed by jschauermann", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588223282, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 4447798, "authorName": "Empress", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/empress/", "bidAmount": 4600, "content": "$4,600 bid placed by Empress", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588241472, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 4447954, "authorName": "Vega_1971", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/vega_1971/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "The Cosworth Vega engine is all aluminium rather than aluminium block and iron head like the regular Vega so were more forgiving of warping the head or block when hot since were not having different expansion rates of different metals. Cosworth engine also has stronger crankshaft, rods etc due to its high revving nature. Same block though so overheating is to be avoided at all cost. If someone were to do an engine swap in this car I think the Cosworth Vega engine would be the best choice. Great fun on nice twisty roads. To me much better than a big iron V8 up front that messes up the 50/50 weight distribution and good handling.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588250230, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4448455, "authorName": "jmtwilson", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/jmtwilson/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "hey @maroons and @vega_1971. Keith Duckworth\u2019s biography (First Principles) includes a good technical overview of the Cosworth Vega engine development project. It caused Cosworth enormous headaches as they tried to sort out serious weaknesses in GM\u2019s cast alloy blocks. The failure rate on initial test motors was so high that they wound up X-raying every block to weed out those with internal casting flaws. Overheating and incumbent head gasket failures were a big issue. Only 3508 engines found their way into vehicles before Duckworth cancelled the project. he\u2019s quoted in the bio as saying \u201cIf anybody ever again tries to get me to make a race engine out of a production block, for Christ\u2019s sake, somebody stop me!\u201d. It\u2019s ironic that one of the few engine project failures for the Cosworth company was for the car that most Americans associate with the company name.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588257268, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4448769, "authorName": "THEmgbmbzguy", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/themgbmbzguy/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I had Dad's 3-spd manual '71 Vega fastback in '78 that died at 120K miles. Made 1 engine out of 3 and drove it for another year to keep my MGA out of the weather in Ohio. Actully liked the car compared to other American cars of the era. Bizzarre engine engineering but actually saw a similar construction on a boa I bought with a cracked block. Mercury did a 4.3L that used a Ford 460 truck head & pistons with an aluminum block. Supposedly made as much torque as a small V8. Replaced that with a good old 3.0 Mercruiser but the leftover parts sold well on eBay.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588261436, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4448855, "authorName": "Vega_1971", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/vega_1971/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Yes the Cosworth EA engine (the racing version of the Cosworth Vega engine) was an overall failure as a racing engine required to run at 9000+ type RPM for extended periods. I am still surprised they tried the Vega block for a full blown racing engine since they knew it had free standing cylinders. For a street type engine that sees 7000 RPM it is fine. Main thing with CV engine at red line type RPM's is to make sure oil level is where the pick up does not become uncovered under severe cornering. \r\n\r\nCar and Driver bought Cosworth Vega #0008 and converted it to a rally car with 216 HP but crashed it pretty early on. A little later a couple of guys bought it and ran it in the 1977 London to Sydney Rally. If I remember correctly it was the only car to finish without any factory support. If you run them at 200 HP or below I do not think durability is a problem. \r\n\r\nhttp://www.londonsydney77.com/where_atn.shtml", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588262493, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4448964, "authorName": "CWardrip", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/cwardrip/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I had a 1973 Vega GT, red with white stripe, 4 speed floor shift. Great little car for 55k miles. Suddenly started using 2 quarts of oil every time I filled the gas tank, while still getting 25 mpg. Sold it for $200 to a lady who could not drive stick shift. Told her it burned 2 q oil for each tank of gas. She said her son would fix it when he returned home from the service. I drove it to her garage for her. The other memory is that the oil filter was nearly impossible to get to.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588264168, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4449037, "authorName": "MrBeanCar", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mrbeancar/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I've always liked the looks of the Vega, either this 2 door fastback or the station wagon. A high school friend's brother had one, in which he dumped a V8. \n\"As the story went\"; transplant was pretty easy but the first time he dropped it into gear; the transmission broke. So, he sourced one appropriate for the V8\nFirst time he put it into gear and drove it out of the shop, it sheared the driveshaft. So, he had a stronger one built.\nIt took awhile, but then it took out the differential.\nI believe the last thing that he replaced were the lug nuts they reportedly sheared off. I actually doubt that; but I don't doubt the rest.\nI've never, since then, felt any desire to replace the engine in a Vega. An MGB, for sure; but not a Vega", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588264966, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4449418, "authorName": "XLer8", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/xler8/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "If you visit BAT often enough you will see every car you ever owned. Like many others here I had a '72 Vega in this exact color that I (bought) in the early 80s while attending University. If memory serves me I traded $20 worth of skunk weed for it and I'm not sure I got the better end of the deal. It had 150K miles on it, only the drivers window opened, one working brake caliper, no second gear, and it used more oil that gasoline. There were rust holes all around the wheels, in the rockers, and you could gauge your speed by looking at the road passing between your feet. Good thing as the speedometer and tachometer no longer functioned. I confess that it used so much oil I took to stealing containers of waste oil from the back of a local auto shop as I couldn't afford a quart a day habit. I drove it this way for 2 years until one day I accidentally dropped a lit cigarette onto what was left of the frayed carpeting under my feet. I was able to get the Vega off the highway and bail out seconds before the entire interior when up in flames. I was close to a mile away when the gas tank exploded and the shock wave punched me in the back. Some say there is still a hole in the ozone directly above the San Francisco bay area due to that car.", "likes": 9, "timestamp": 1588268972, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4451123, "authorName": "BigLar", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/biglar/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "My high school buddy had a '72 Vega wagon with an auto trans. He put over 80k on it and never had any engine or rust issues. And that was for a daily driver in New England. Maybe he was just lucky. He ended up trading it in for a Monza because he liked the racier look.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588279582, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4452354, "authorName": "Amc67", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/amc67/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Don't see many of these, very nice, wondering if you have more photos of the underside floor pan area?", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588283757, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4452517, "authorName": "Eaats33", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/eaats33/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Where have they all gone?\r\nDrive this car to you local \u201ccars and coffee\u201d gathering.\r\nI can assure you, just about everyone will have a Chevy Vega story to tell.?\r\nI always thought they were an attractive little automobile.\r\nHope it goes to an appreciative new home.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588284383, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4452528, "authorName": "JME1955", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/jme1955/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I had a girlfriend back in the day who had a 3-speed manual Vega. Every gear produced the same roaring engine sound, making the car go a little faster. I can now say many years and many cars later, that little Vega was probably the worst car I ever drove. Having said that, I must say this one is pretty cute. So is that same girlfriend - after an almost 40-year intermission.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588284415, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4452697, "authorName": "GC19", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/gc19/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "The green '73 Hornet on BaT just sold for $11,750. Will this green '72 Vega exceed that amount?", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588285292, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4452996, "authorName": "West-Coaster", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/west-coaster/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@MrBeanCar\r\n\r\nYour account of your friend's car should be put on a virtual plaque somewhere, displayed anytime someone glibly suggests \"just drop a V8 into...\" (Vega, Pinto, six-cylinder Mustang, and so on.)\r\n\r\nIt can be a real slippery slope to do it right.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588289354, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4453569, "authorName": "David_C.", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/david_c.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "My father used to record me and my sisters on a Wollensak reel-to-reel tape recorder when we were younger. When I was 5 years old, my father asked me what my favorite car was. I answered \"a 1973 Vega Kammback GT\". So, even my 5 year old self like the Vega, blissfully ignorant of all the rust and engine issues. We very briefly owned a '74 Vega that had manual steering, but my father disliked that lack of power steering so much he brought the car back and bought a '74 Mercury Comet instead. \r\n\r\nBack to the tape, after I answered, my father said \"Ok...when you grow up, I'll buy one for you.\". He never did, though, he certainly more than made up for it, purchasing a number of musical instruments for me over the years.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588299601, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4453708, "authorName": "FoxJohnFox", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/foxjohnfox/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@XLer8 What a hysterical post! I too bought a 72 Vega in the eighties. I picked it up from the seller the same day my employer gave me a Pagenet pager to wear. On the way home, the pager went off and I thought it was some warning beep from the Vega. I spent an hour looking for the source of the beep before I remembered the pager in my pocket. And that was the most fun I ever had in that car, no offense to this example, which is in clearly better shape than mine was. GLWTA!", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588302480, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4453801, "authorName": "993Enthusiast", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/993enthusiast/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "OH the Vega memories indeed! \r\n\r\nWhen I was a kid, my grandfather gave my mother a very used Vega just like this one in \"Monkey Barf Green\" as she called it. \r\n\r\nThis, after her very old/very used powder blue 66 Thunderbird lost its brakes getting off the freeway as the engine caught fire!\r\n\r\nMy mom just could not stand that Vega green. So, she saved her pennies and found a body shop that would paint that Vega for only $99.95! Earl Scheib would paint any car for $99.95! \r\n\r\nSo, the Vega went in to Earl Scheib in North Hollywood, California and came out reborn in dog doo doo brown! \r\n\r\nOh, that is unless you opened the doors where the original green door jambs stood out even more. The jambs were extra and my mom couldn't afford that luxury. lol. \r\n\r\nSame color combo if you opened the hatchback or the hood. \r\n\r\nThey didn't push/install the front Vega emblem all the way back on, on the front lip of the car, and it flew off going down the road one day. \r\n\r\nThen, there was the little engine issue. Something about a cracked block. Well, the corner gas station guy told my mom about something called J-B Weld. You just push these two pieces of play doh like substance together to activate it. \r\n\r\nWith me and my dog biscuit hanging out the side window looking on, the mechanic slapped some on the engine. And, good grief, it helped keep that car going. \r\n\r\nMeanwhile, I found a good use for the touch up paint bottle from Earl Scheib. I pretended I was running my own body shop and painted any and every hot wheel I could find for free. \r\n\r\nThus, my start into car restoration and collecting perhaps. Oh, how many hot wheels I must have destroyed. Hey, I was 6 or 7. \r\n\r\nThere was also the nightly ritual of putting that big plastic container under the engine each night to catch the oil that dripped out. Then, she'd pour it back in the next day. Oil was expensive for a mom working multiple jobs to keep the lights on! \r\n\r\nI can't count the number of times we had to stop at 7-11 to pick up another quart of 20-50 and two packs of cigs...one pack with tobacco for mom and one pack made out of candy for me! \r\n\r\nFunny thing, Jeep Wrangler offered a green similar to this recently. I wanted one SO bad, they call it Mojito. I just love the color now. \r\n\r\nHere's to the little Vega that chauffeured me around the San Fernando Valley as a kid and here's to this little green Vega on BaT that's braved the elements all these decades! Hope she finds just the right home.", "likes": 5, "timestamp": 1588305017, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4453985, "authorName": "Mordo", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mordo/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "This same car, only with a manual transmission and in the darker green was my first car I bought myself when I was in high school (bought in '76). Loved the car and the looks...and then the head warped inside 6 months. That being my first experience, amazing it didn't ruin me on cars forever!", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588312987, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4454159, "authorName": "Airportman", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/airportman/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Do your research but I have lots of experience maintaining a Vega engine that used to be in a repowered prewar Clarktor 6 airport tug. The Vega/aircooled Powerglide (this car must have a Th250?) was the shortest combo readily available at the time the Chrysler Industrial/4 speed manual was pulled because the operators were too jerky on the airplane nose gear with sloppy use of the clutch and the tug's very low gearing. Anyway it worked quite well for a few decades but the Vega engine did what they do over the years and it was eventually yanked and a 151 Iron Duke (pre-crossflow head) attached to the same PG took its place. Point of story: pistons and gaskets became very difficult to find for the Vega engine. Only applies to people intending to drive this car as is.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588333834, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4454174, "authorName": "Empress", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/empress/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "it will get a V8 and be a pretty cool hotrod", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588334680, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4454448, "authorName": "my3curchcats", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/my3curchcats/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I worked for Piedmont airlines in Syracuse on the ramp ,we had some crazy F-28 pushback tugs left over from Empire airlines big motors open headers fun to drive !", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588340263, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4454894, "authorName": "NipponRotarion", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/nipponrotarion/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I have owned several Vegas, the first being a '73 GT hatch I bought in '82 which had been V8 swapped, a 283 with a Powerglide. Not much in the way of mods, motor was stock, with an Edelbrock and Holley, and some very well done home-made headers and full duals out the back, it was actually a very quiet system, especially considering it had headers. At a red light, someone next to you would have no idea it had a V8. The builder spent a lot of time on the car, it still looked stock, right down to the factory GT wheels, but he carefully fitted every part, to make it appear as much like a factory built car as possible. He sorted out the suspension and brakes, as well. It was an amazing car to drive, drove very much like a 3 series BMW (of which I have owned two), with a LOT more power! Even though the little 283 was stock, it was Scary Fast!\r\n The second was a '71 hatch, bought in '87, which was also V8 swapped, but was Pro Street style, tubbed, subframed, narrowed 12 bolt w/ 3.73 posi on a 4-link setup in the rear, 6-point cage, and a built LT1 with a tunnel ram and a pair of 390 Holleys, with an M21 Muncie behind it. I took it to the strip on a fairly regular basis, but it was primarily driven on the street.\r\n The last Vega I owned, was bought in '89, it was a mint '73 Notchback, the 2300 backed by a Powerglide and was equipped with A/C. It was tan with the exact same interior color combo as the car featured here. Bought it from the estate of an old lady for $1600.00 locally. Car was bought new here in my town, and had never been out of my town in its 16 years of ownership by the woman. According to the family, she bought it when she retired from her job as a teacher, she never drove when it was raining or snowing, and it had always been garaged, never sat outside. It looked new, and even still had the original Good Year Polyglas belted tires! it had 14,000 miles on it and all maintenance records from new from the local Chevy dealer. However, when I divorced my first wife in '91, I gave her the Vega, and kept my loaded '85 Celica GT. If I had it to do over, I would have kept the Vega! It ran great, handled great, and was absolutely perfect in every way, a true time capsule.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588346832, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4455395, "authorName": "LMGun", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/lmgun/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Let me start by scribing,..\"I am not trying to demean any car or anyone bidding...however...ABSOLUTELY...there is NO logic in bidding on cars on BaT or ANY auto auction site\". It is ABSOLUTELY ABOUT EMOTION. I have followed for three months now and I am completely baffled on how (AND WHY) bidding progresses...my oh my oh my.\r\n\r\nTwo examples...of the many I could pontificate about. Just the other day a 1973 Hornet Hatchback...which I owned one and commented on during that bidding...went for $ 11,750... unbelievable...good for you BaT and seller. My wife and I are beating ourselves up for selling ours...#^)(*!!!\r\n\r\nNOW, a 1972 Vega...a Vega...a Vega...??? OMG...now my story..........................\r\nI was in college 1969 thru 1974...five year curriculum. Way back when...Chevrolet put out a call for college students to submit their names to be selected as \"guinny pigs\" to acquire on loan and drive Vega's, with the stipulation to document all aspects of ownership.....the good & bad, and the \"emotion\" of it all. Absolutely a smart idea...MAYBE. One of my campus friends \"Marty\" (not Marty McFly) was selected. I will not give Marty's last name out of respect. When Marty drove to campus with his \"new\" Vega two door sedan, I quickly coined his new moniker...Marty Vega...driving his Vega-mobile. The car was absolutely \"cute\" for the time...70's., when so many auto manufacturers\u00a0were screwing the designs of such icons as Mustang. Oh the ache. I still get\u00a0nauseous\u00a0when I see a 70's M-stang...aka...Memorylapsestang. I digress...\r\n\r\nThe long and short of my diatribe...we spent MORE TIME OUTSIDE Marty Vega's Vegamobile...PUSHING that tin bucket, then inside cruising\u00a0cool along the highways and byways trying to impress and pick-up the 70's disco\u00a0chicks. What a nightmare. I know more about the back end of that vehicle then I learned in my college courses...lolololol\r\n\r\nPLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do not let the rant of one \"old guy\" dampen the desire of someone\u00a0wanting to own their \"beloved Vega\"., and fulfill their lifelong dream to own \"Marty Vega's VegaMobile\".\r\n\r\nGood luck to seller and buyer. BaT...you have tapped into a lucrative\u00a0business... EMOTION...very clever.\u00a0\r\n\r\nMy best to all during this time...take care...be well...be safe..BE WISE\r\nAND...HAPPY BIDDING...!!!", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1588354039, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4457097, "authorName": "kaffeen", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/kaffeen/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Back in the late 70s / early 80s my mom had a 77 Astre wagon, the Pontiac sibling of this car. Reading all the comments about Vegas rusting and engine oil consumption, all of which we'd eventually heard about, but none of that happened in our car. We lived in relatively dry climate out west, so that helped. Maybe the Pontiacs had a different, better paint process? And by 77 I think they were using the iron-lined engines. It was an AT, A/C car and slow as molasses, but quite reliable, handled really well for the day, and delivered consistent mid-20 mpgs. I learned to drive in it and used it to haul pretty much everything I owned to college. I used to urge Dad to drop in a Buick aluminum 3.5 liter V8 to make a great all-round performer, which of course never happened, but it would have been a perfect swap for that car. I still think a 71 - 73 GT manual hatch or wagon would be a fun car albeit with almost any other engine and no rust issues. Ironic to see all the nostalgia for this much maligned car, and here I am, adding my own.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588362968, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4457136, "authorName": "austin_alfa", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/austin_alfa/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "The 70s brought us some interesting small cars in an attempt to compete with Japanese and Euro imports. Many were pretty designs but the management \"talent\" mandated poor engineering and worse assembly. \r\n\r\nI'm looking at you Vega, Maverick and Mustang. Pretty on paper. Its refreshing to see one here that has been maintained and is minty so we can ponder what might have been. I always thought these looking a lot like a Monza by Opel. Cant be many left. Again, a car that used to fill high school and shopping mar parking lots and then poof!! all gone I can't remember the last time I saw one in the wild", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588363128, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4458388, "authorName": "donroger1", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/donroger1/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Very clean Vega. I've owned three. The current bid is way beyond any interest and fondness that I can muster. Don't get me wrong. Each one was a reliable vehicle and met my needs at the time. Funny story. During an oil change I inadvertently knock the wire off of the oil pressure sending unit located really close to the filter. The car will not start if it doesn't \"see\" oil pressure. That took me about an hour to sort out but years later it served me well. I had a miserable excuse for a neighbor who was doing an oil change before heading out on vacation. He \"finished\" and they loaded up ready to head out. The car wouldn't start..... Wife became irate and after draining the battery attempting to start the motor, she unloaded the luggage and kids and went back into the house. He threw a battery charger on it. About dusk, I went over to suggest he check the oil sending unit wire. He hooked up the wire and it started right up. See there, I \"seemed\" helpful. They left the next day with the wife still carping.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588368260, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4458699, "authorName": "MMMMM", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mmmmm/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "This is the perfect Chevy Vega in the perfect olive green. It doesn't get anymore Vega than this....BRAVO!!!", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588371524, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4459195, "authorName": "phantom309", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/phantom309/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "As far as those bucket seats go - back in 1977 I became the third owner of a 1972 Z/28 (LT-1 350, Muncie close ratio 4 speed - great car) .... one thing I remember noting at the time, the bucket seats were the same exact ones that came in my friend's 73 'Vega ....... pretty nice seats - comfortable and held up well.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588381401, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4459228, "authorName": "mcj4250", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mcj4250/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I can\u2019t recall an auction with so many comments with so few likes.", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1588382109, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4459485, "authorName": "LMGun", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/lmgun/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "...it is STILL a Vega. Maybe Marty Vega got the \"lemon\". I surmise if anything is left in the garage for long enough time, someone will find it valuable for whatever reason. It is difficult to put a price on nostalgia. I must admit, this one is \"cherry\", however, beware the pit...!!!", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588388051, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4459492, "authorName": "LMGun", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/lmgun/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "BTW...comfortable bucket seats are fine, however, if the vehicle is not moving, then the seats are better removed and placed in your living room.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588388164, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4459709, "authorName": "Zed330ti", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/zed330ti/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "well if a similar vintage and color with similar miles Datsun Z car went for three hundred thousand dollars it will be interesting to see how high it\u2019s American competition bids up to.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588395893, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4459770, "authorName": "GreenVette", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/greenvette/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Vegas are just about as rare as unicorns these days. I owned a metallic brown 74 Vega 4 speed GT Woody wagon back in my college days. The GT wheels looked great with the raised white GoodYear lettering on the tires. The car had no AC so I made a device so I could drive around with the back tailgate open by 10 inches. Great air flow. My uncle worked at a local Chevy dealer and this was his company car. I needed to unload my 72 Fiat (Fix It Again Tony) 128 because of rust and oil consumption, so I bought the GT with only 4000 miles on it. It was an awesome car for a young guy on a limited budget. It was rather under powered for the weight but it did give my friend's Ford Capri a run for the money on the crazy drives from Vancouver to Whistler. With the back seat flipped down, all of my ski gear and supplies had ample room. The car never gave me any serious problems, but by 1980 rust started to appear on the lower part of the fenders, so I traded the Vega in on an 81 Camaro which was also a great car to own.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588400835, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4459830, "authorName": "Empress", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/empress/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I'm guessing based on the comments that this is pretty much the max a Vega is worth. I kinda feel bad for the seller who paid 6k at auction for it. But $4600 is all a Vega is worth really. It's just a cute design in a shell that will rust, an engine that doesn't work and it's really only good to strip apart and swap the drive train. The only people making money off cars like this are the tax man and the auctioneers really. This is a hobby folks, and just a bunch of metal. Those that wax lyrically are just looking. Anybody who's owned a Vega or Astre knows this. It's going to need a sealed garage for another 37 years LMAO , money pit indeed.", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588415096, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4460065, "authorName": "Vega_1971", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/vega_1971/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Empress I am a guy who has driven a Vega every day for 40+ years commuting in Houston traffic. My '71 is closing in on 400,000 miles so has not been sealed in a garage and is still going strong. They did have their flaws but since they are so easy to work on those flaws are not hard or expensive to solve if you find an unmolested one without much rust and good interior. They are certainly not a car to \"ride hard and put up wet\" but if taken care of can be quite reliable. Here is a somewhat recent article that I think gives a pretty accurate account about the positives and negatives. \r\n\r\nhttps://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/chevrolutionary-1973-chevrolet-vega-gt-millionth-edition-1976-chevrolet-cosworth-vega", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588425651, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4460114, "authorName": "JackTheCat", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/jackthecat/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Empress, thanks for stating the obvious. This is NOT a car that most will ever use on a daily basis\u2014kind of like 99% of the cars sold by BaT. The cars value as a driver is probably zero and may actually be worth more as scrap metal, but that's not what BaT or this car is about. This is memories and fun and will be worth 6k to the person that buys it and takes it for a memory drive to Sonic once a month.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588426477, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4460195, "authorName": "LMGun", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/lmgun/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Vega_1971...thank you for sharing. Great story and article. My orig comment was NOT to demean anyone. I was sharing a story from my college days. I still think the Vega is \"cute\".\r\n@JackTheCat...agree with you. I will drive to Sonic in my '78 Corvette I just acquired. IT IS ALL ABOUT EMOTION\r\nBEST TO ALL ;-)>", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588427966, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4460265, "authorName": "Paul_Blouin", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/paul_blouin/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Wow, what a clean old survivor!\r\n\r\nOne of by younger brother's friends, who lived down the street, was crazy about V8 Vegas in the early 80s, and built a number of them, according to my brother. Blue tarps on the lawn, with flat black V8 Vegas underneath. This didn't align with how Iremember his mother keeping house and yard.\r\n\r\nHe talked her into helping him buy a new Suzuki GS1100E, and never made it home alive from the dealer. \r\n\r\nSad story, but a really cute car for sale here. I love the Cosworths myself...\r\n\r\nHe called himself \"Bobby Vega\".", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588429335, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4460280, "authorName": "Empress", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/empress/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "What's the Value of a Vega Memory then? I'm just saying the guy who put it up for sale did pay 6K for it when HE purchased it at auction, but it's at $4600 as the highest bid right now on BaT. Based on most reactions, I'm thinking this is all it's worth. Also, having owned one in the past I know it won't be driving here to Canada...it will be put on a truck...'cause it won't make it here under it's own power! LMAO!", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588429616, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4460746, "authorName": "KingCast", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/kingcast/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "How long until the head separates.... can't really drive it. But at the time I was a Big Fan. Everyone was... at first.\n@Vega_1971 your head never separated?", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588438324, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4460905, "authorName": "Vega_1971", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/vega_1971/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Chevrolet put new block in my '71 Vega for free in 1974 . Ran that engine well over 100K miles and rebuilt it in 1984. Did a valve job on it in mid to late '90's. Replaced front crankshaft seal a few months ago but otherwise have not touched that engine since 1984.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588440967, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4461272, "authorName": "Clipper47", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/clipper47/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "At the urging of my girlfriend during the early '70's gas crisis I traded my 1979 Plymouth Fury with a 440Magnum engine for a 1971 Vega to get a more economical car. It was a 4 speed manual version and right from the get go it actually didn't get much better mileage that the Plymouth at highway speeds. I made the mistake of loaning the car to my father who wanted to take a motor holiday to the east coast with my mom and 3 younger sibs and towing his pop up camper. Somewhere along the way the engine overheated and although he didn't burn the engine out completely the coating on the cylinder walls likely was severely damaged. Another incident on the trip was a time he ran out of gas and used naphtha fuel from the Coleman stove to get to a filling station. When he brought the car back to me he didnt mentioned the overheating or naphtha gas use until after I sold the car. The car burned so much oil and got such lousy gas mileage after it's return that I filled the crank case with two cans of STP and sold it for what I had owning on the car and bought a 1966 Volkswagen. The Vega was actually a very nice car before my dad ruined the engine. My girlfriend and I took a very enjoyable vacation to Georgia using I 75 much of the way from Michigan and back and it ran without a problem although the temperature gauge air had installed under the dash showed that it ran very hot compared to any previous car I had owned. It was quite peppy and with proper care would perhaps have been a reliable little car. I recall I was a bit miffed when I went to the GM dealer and wanted a new air filter. The filter came in a sealed canister and it cost $12!", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588450870, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4461468, "authorName": "hercules65", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/hercules65/", "bidAmount": 5400, "content": "$5,400 bid placed by hercules65", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588456633, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 4461493, "authorName": "Empress", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/empress/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Thank god I was finally outbid...Jesus I thought I was going to be stuck with a Vega again. Looking back, I should have remembered how crappy this car was...Have fun with it guys.", "likes": 6, "timestamp": 1588457271, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4461713, "authorName": "34Century", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/34century/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Clipper47, Bought a 73 GT Coupe, the\r\nlittle car that did everything well according to G.M.@ the time,@ Empress\r\nmy old Pappy used to say there's a aaaaa for every Seat, Rock on ???", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588465928, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4461828, "authorName": "Kayemtee", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/kayemtee/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "One significant factor about the \u201872 Vega not yet mentioned here is the factory where it was made. As bad as the engineering was, it was assembled at the GM plant in Lordstown, Ohio. There was a pretty long strike in the year this car was made. The Lordstown workers were infuriated at GM, and their work product showed it. That explains how the parents of one of the folks below got a car with cloth in the front and vinyl in the rear, and nobody thought to do anything to correct it. Lordstown was so bad that even the UAW couldn\u2019t help.", "likes": 6, "timestamp": 1588469749, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4461989, "authorName": "binderdundat", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/binderdundat/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I can hardly imagine how my father bought 2 of these from the dealer, new? I inherited one from my sister in 11th grade, High School. I was excited to have my first car and didn't really know much about cars except my private school mates had a Mustang convertible GT390, a '69 Camaro, a '69 Vette, one kid was chauffered in a Rolls Royce. I didn't really care about all that but having just received my license I had to drive the beach road (speed traps all the way) and my license was suspended in less than a year and I had an accident turning left in the rain and spun out and hit the guy waiting for the light on my left. Ugggh. Then, in less than a year, same time the car started overheating regularly. Within the next year the head warped (twice replaced head gaskets). A myriad of other issues. I always thought it looked ok but reliable was the last thing it was. I finally saved enough of my own money and found a 1970 Triumph GT6 that sputtered when I test drove it and bought it for $500. My new friend was an airframe/power mechanic and had MG's. He told me to buy a rebuild kit for my dual strombergs. I disassembled them, soaked them, rebuilt them with JC Whitney kits, reassembled and it ran like a bat outa hell ! By Bye VEGA ! ! He balanced the two carbs for me, I handed the Vega keys back to my dad and I never looked back. Good Riddens ! But this one will look great on you ! bahahahahaha ! !", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588478194, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4462231, "authorName": "doctorgonz0", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/doctorgonz0/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I hear Don Hardy out of Floydada, TX still sells Chevy small-block swap kits for the Vega to this very day. Very tempting.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588509847, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4462257, "authorName": "kelsonhoff", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/kelsonhoff/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "My first new car out of college to go to my first job. A 1971 Robin egg blue (don't recall real name) Vega GT with 4-speed. Picked it up at dealer and after a 3 day break in drove it across country on my honeymoon. Came back a month later with 10,000 trouble free miles on the car. Almost out of warranty at that time. I loved the car. Did have some issues later- got a new block, free, had rear end replaced free, and had two new fenders installed free that rusted out. Finally sold 1t 75,000 miles when it looked like the windshield was going to fall out from rust and I needed a better car for the snows of Pennsylvania. Still have fond memories.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588510604, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4462393, "authorName": "Billwi", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/billwi/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I had many Vega\u2019s growing up.sure they had problems with over heating,but if you maintained them from the getgo they were great cars.The early cars that are unmolested will keep bring better money as time goes on. Thease are great fun cars and easy to maintain and work on.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588514848, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4462500, "authorName": "Barndoor4", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/barndoor4/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "If your gonna choose a Vega it might as well be Oasis Green. Not my favorite but can\u2019t deny the significance the Vega plays in GM\u2019s history. I believe the Craigslist quality photos are not helping unfortunately. Overall good condition and any such original car deserves a proper presentation.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588518608, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4462510, "authorName": "Ishabaka", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/ishabaka/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I had a Monza with the same engine. That air cleaner assembly is one piece - you had to replace the whole thing, not just the filter. It was over $25 in 1978, which is over $100 in today's money - for an air filter replacement in a 4 banger economy car! Shows the contempt Chevrolet had for their customers at the time.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588519038, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4462715, "authorName": "Rco1234", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/rco1234/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "My First car was a '74 Vega. I was attracted to it because thru the chipped paint and rust (the car was only 6 years old then!), I could see a Camaro. Great lines. I fantasized. \r\n\r\nReality caught up me with me quickly. Oil leakage was so rapid that i spent more on oil than gas. Yeah. And it ran s l o w. \r\n\r\nI sold it after one summer. The guy i sold it to came back and told me it was running on two cylinders. I was no mechanic... It was probably ruining on 2 cylinders all summer (if that is possible). \r\n\r\nOf course, is only given $400 for the car. I remember my first investment was sheepskin seat covers. They cost me $200. Maybe i should have spent that money at the mechanic.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588523843, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4462767, "authorName": "kz1000s1", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/kz1000s1/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "These are nice looking cars but I always thought it was a bizarre decision to but so much effort into making an all aluminum block work, then blow the weight savings on a cast iron head. If only they had done the opposite.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588524973, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4463041, "authorName": "tardis", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/tardis/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I just looked it up, and of course if you factor in inflation this doesn't really apply, but the current bid is twice what the car sold for new. This is a time capsule for sure. If you want a Vega, this surely is one to consider.", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588532191, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4463503, "authorName": "briangelc", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/briangelc/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I am wonering if I shouls ask:\r\n1) WHO maintains a Vega for 50 years?\r\n2) WHO wants to buy one?\r\n3) Umm, fuel tank.\r\n4) OK Boomer?\r\n5 NICE EXAMPLE!!!", "likes": 6, "timestamp": 1588546396, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4463575, "authorName": "SpyderMan981", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/spyderman981/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Holy crap. I had this exact car. Color and all. Kept a can of brake cleaner in the glove box so when the plugs oil fouled I could just take them out, clean them off and away I went for another 500 miles. How many of you can claim to have owned a pea green Vega and a '65 Corvair as two of your first three cars!", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588548403, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4463600, "authorName": "johnbennett103", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/johnbennett103/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Wow, a Vega and a Gremlin on BAT! Now things are looking up. GLWS\n\nAlso 6) originally unreliable all aluminum engine. This one is a true survivor!", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588549453, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4463610, "authorName": "wog", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/wog/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "any rust on car,and it does run, new paint or original.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588549824, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4463611, "authorName": "wog", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/wog/", "bidAmount": 5600, "content": "$5,600 bid placed by wog", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588549933, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 4463846, "authorName": "GeoffinCincy", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/geoffincincy/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "My first car - a 72 vega in pea green. $300 is what I paid. Then $50 for a cheap radio shack cassette player and speakers! Beat it to death!", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588559266, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4463880, "authorName": "Treepeddler", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/treepeddler/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I am the youngest in a family of 10 kids. The second up from me was a brother and in 1969 he was drafted and had to go to Miami for a physical. He failed the physical with a bad case of laryngitis. At the time he drove a 1968 Firebird 400 4 speed and on May 10th 1969 his girlfriend was driving and as far as we know they had a blowout and hit a bridge abutment and he was paralyzed from the waist down. He had a lot of friends but over the next couple years of rehabilitation, pretty much in the hospital the whole time, most of them just kind of fell by the wayside and he ended up spending his second teenage years with me. I wouldn\u2019t take anything for the time we had together.The first car he bought when he was able was a 1971 Chevy Vega brand new. I helped him put hand controls in it. It was a far cry from the 68 Firebird but he was happy Just being able to do what he loved again which was drive. I credit him mostly for my love of cars. He passed in 1995 at the age of 45. I miss him as lot. I remember Bye Bye Miss American Pie had just come out and listening to it in that Chevy Vega.", "likes": 23, "timestamp": 1588560709, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4464108, "authorName": "23fordkevin", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/23fordkevin/", "bidAmount": 6500, "content": "$6,500 bid placed by 23fordkevin", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588590059, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 4464116, "authorName": "wog", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/wog/", "bidAmount": 7000, "content": "$7,000 bid placed by wog", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588591214, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 4464117, "authorName": "23fordkevin", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/23fordkevin/", "bidAmount": 8000, "content": "$8,000 bid placed by 23fordkevin", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588591424, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 4464126, "authorName": "777AIA", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/777aia/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "What a survivor. The few I have seen in last ten years have either been wrecked, or had the rear end jacked up... some history hiding in those seat cushions!", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588591771, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4464411, "authorName": "cjcam930", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/cjcam930/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "OMG, this was my first car down to the year and color, except mine was a manual trans and had a different interior (lovely green, I think). It was a well-used hand-me-down and helped me learn the basics of auto mechanics as I finished high school. You sure don't see any around these days, definitely not looking like this one. GLWA!", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588600255, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4464465, "authorName": "West-Coaster", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/west-coaster/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@doctorgonz0\r\n\"I hear Don Hardy out of Floydada, TX still sells Chevy small-block swap kits for the Vega to this very day.\"\r\n\r\nAs a parallel, AT&T still prints the Yellow Pages phone directory.", "likes": 7, "timestamp": 1588601323, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4464990, "authorName": "carstruck", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/carstruck/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "My first thought was this little car\u2019s appeal would be helped by photos done in a smarter setting... then i see the bids.. It\u2019s doing ok.. @West-Coaster good one ?", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588609348, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4465035, "authorName": "carstruck", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/carstruck/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I am looking forward to reading the full comments later when i have time. Always interesting here in a Vega auction. Some remember them as crap that swung the door wide for Japanese competition, others have fonder memories of them. They had a nice look i have always thought. A classic mini Camaro..", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588610046, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4465189, "authorName": "Kindell_Motors", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/kindell_motors/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "This was my late wife\u2019s and my first new car, a 1972 same color and all. We bought it from my grandfather who was a salesman at Smedley Chevrolet in Vandalia, OH. I remember it as a fun and fairly reliable little car, always loved the look of the chrome bumpered ones too. I put a dyno tune kit on it and it helped a lot. It was a perfect car for a young family, the hatchback was really cool thing back then. Bad news was that after two years rust began bubble up on the inside fender panels so we gave it a new home while it still looked good. We were sad to see it go.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588612116, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4465197, "authorName": "West-Coaster", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/west-coaster/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Ishabaka \n\"I had a Monza with the same engine. That air cleaner assembly is one piece \u2013 you had to replace the whole thing, not just the filter.\"\n\nThis was discussed earlier in the comments. We also noted that people found ways to cut/grind the housing apart, and replace the element with one repurposed from another application.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588612354, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4465387, "authorName": "Ishabaka", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/ishabaka/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@West-Coaster - yes, I eventually found an aftermarket air filter housing that allowed me to replace the filter only. My point was, Chevrolet thought they could trick economy car buyers into buying ridiculously overprice air filters, and saw nothing wrong with that. One of the things that made me vow to never purchase a GM product for the rest of my life - the other being the crankshaft snout of my 305cu in. Monte Carlo engine snapping off when I went over a bump. GM quality in the '70s was beyond abysmal.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588614521, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4465416, "authorName": "UncleZed", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/unclezed/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "My first car was a dark green Vega. Took a hacksaw to that front bumper and replicated the 70 Camaro look.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588614719, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4465433, "authorName": "Pivo", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/pivo/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I didn't think these things lasted 27K miles....", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588614863, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4465585, "authorName": "Vega_1971", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/vega_1971/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Not hard to pry up the lip around the edge on the original air filter housing and tear out the guts and then go to parts store and just buy a round thin one that will fit. Last one I bought at O'Rielly says MGD# MGA189 but there are usually a couple that will work fine if they have a selection of the round type filters. Fram also made an after market housing that is black if I remember right that will fit one of their filters. Pertronix makes a nice easy electronic ignition conversion kit for them too that is not much $$ if you don't want to mess around with points.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588616065, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4465725, "authorName": "HairlessB29", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/hairlessb29/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I kinda grit my teeth when a Vega comes up for auction on BaT, because I know that we\u2019re in for a familiar barrage of comments. Like many of the commenters here, I speak from experience. \u201cHello, everyone, I\u2019m Hairless, and I was a Vega owner. I\u2019ve been Vega-free for 35 years now.\u201d Like recovering Vega-tarians everywhere, I feel compelled, like a latter-day Ancient Mariner, to share my story.\r\n\r\nI was born at an early age. Then, in 1955, my dad bought a black and white Chevy Delray with a Blue Flame 6 and Powerglide from Schukei Chevrolet in Waterloo, Iowa, the very same dealership that originally sold the Vega now being offered here on BaT. \r\n\r\nWithin five years, our family had moved west, and the Delray would pass to my big brother and eventually be sold. For his senior year in college, my brother drove our new MGA, but it ultimately didn\u2019t dovetail with his post-graduation\r\nlifestyle, which involved marriage, kids and a Corvair. My brother taught me how to drive in the MG when I was 14. Then, it went into the garage for a couple years, awaiting the issuance of my driver license. Afterward, it served as my daily driver through my high school and college years.\r\n\r\nAfter school, the workforce beckoned, but the MG lacked the necessities for the outside sales position I found myself in. While I desperately wanted a BMW 2002 and would have happily settled for a 1600, I needed some initial financial help from my dad; ever the Chevy guy, he wasn\u2019t keen on helping me buy a German car he had never heard of. (Unlike many fathers fondly remembered here on BaT - looking at you, sludgo - my dad was emphatically not a car guy) But, he got me a \u201cgreat price\u201d on this new Chevy compact that had just come out. Thus, the \u201855 Chevy from Waterloo led indirectly to my \u201859 MGA, which I still have, and eventually to my \u201871 Vega hatchback. Hairless the kustomizer blacked out the silver plastic front grille, slapped a bow tie on its fanny, and voila, a mini-Camaro with a face reminiscent of a tri-5 classic! \r\n\r\nVegas get woofed on mercilessly for their many shortcomings, some of which I unwittingly attempted to address in the initial build. But for my monthly payment of $62.22 to GMAC, I got a car that looked great, handled great and was much kinder to my lower back than the MG had been for eight punishing years. And, it had an AM/FM radio! That you could hear!! \r\n\r\nNonetheless, the spiffy little guy eventually fell prey to nearly all the well-known woes that beset the marque. It was a reliable (as long as you quenched its unslakable thirst for Valvoline) and great-looking ride that was with me for many pleasant memories and the source of an epic female put-down so utterly guileless and direct, it was immediately hilarious. \r\n\r\nI ended up selling it to a co-worker, and then three years later, married the co-worker! A new engine, new rear-end, and a few more years of light-duty service followed. There was sadness watching the next owner drive it off in \u201885, as I thought it unlikely there would be another owner after him. If he took as good care of it as I tried, though, maybe it\u2019s one of the survivors still out there on the streets of L.A. \r\n\r\nI truly hope someone in the BaTmosphere showers some love and respect on this well-preserved faded emerald gem from Black Hawk county Iowa, home to such venerable American companies as John Deere and Rath Packing. Sixty years after our Delray found a home In Arizona, maybe this \u201872 Vega will also find a new extended life in the arid southwest.", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1588616767, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4466326, "authorName": "Blofish", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/blofish/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "177 comments, but only 1 from the seller, am I the only one that finds that odd?", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588619449, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4466338, "authorName": "LMGun", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/lmgun/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "WELL...this was fun...I guess...congrats to all...PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE...do not tell me there is\u00a0\"reserve\" on this vehicle...the greedy owner wanting\u00a0somewhere north of $ 8,000...??? INSANE\r\n\r\nThis confirms my earlier \"emotions\" comment;\r\nRecent BaT auctions:\r\n1976 Pacer-X...$ 12,000\r\n1973 Hornet Hatchback...$ 11,750\r\n1972 Vega Cosworth...$\u00a08,000 and counting\r\n1977 Gremlin-X... at $ 10,000 with 1 day togo...insane\r\n\r\nmy oh my oh my...I am getting emotional....I am verklempt\r\nWhat is it comparing the Vega to a Camaro? A true Camaro lover\u00a0will get nauseous\u00a0just thinking about similarities.\r\nI do agree, however, it is nice to see refreshing \"cute\" cars from yester-year that would have never gotten a second look\u00a0during their heyday...my oh my\u00a0oh my. \r\nGood for you\u00a0former owner...enjoy, new owner...rake-it-in BaT :-)>\r\nEnough of the overpriced and over touted BMW, Mercedes,\u00a0\"$ 3,000 go-kart\", kiddie bicycles with lawn mower engines,\u00a0& Porsche...Porsche...Porsche...my oh my oh my\u00a0\r\nFront Porsche...Side Porsche...Rear Porsche...lol\r\nDO I SMELL...\"stimulus check\"...???\r\n\r\nBTW...I recently purchased a '78 Corvette (NOT at AUCTION)...Silver Anniversary with 16,000 mi...two tone gray exterior with\u00a0\"cherry red\" interior-pristine...orig engine/paint, etc $ 11,000...right place at the right time :-)>\u00a0 :-)>\u00a0 :-)>\r\n\r\nI am aghast\u00a0at what these beloved AMC's & Marty Vega sold for...\r\nMY OH MY OH MY...!!!...ALL EMOTION...NO LOGIC...!!!\r\nWOW...am I in the wrong business............", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588619491, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4466471, "authorName": "West-Coaster", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/west-coaster/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Vega_1971\r\n\r\nSince you are the learned and experienced Vega owner here, can you shed some light on the metal air filter / air cleaner assembly? \r\n\r\nI seem to remember that there was a somewhat (maybe) logical reason for it, like it was supposed to be longer life or something. I'm not completely against corporate conspiracy theories, but I'm not sure I want to side with the \"big company being mean to its buyers\" theory either. \r\n\r\nI had a '73 Vega GT from 1979-1981, and had great luck with it overall. IIRC, the Fram version of the air filter was something like $12 at the local auto parts store, in comparison to $3-5 for most replacement elements. Like many, I ended up buying an aftermarket air cleaner from IECO for something like $25, which seemed like a good investment, as it used a conventional filter cartridge. If the Delco replacement was $25+, that must have been full retail at a Chevy dealer's parts counter.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588619923, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4466651, "authorName": "E21", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/e21/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Equipment includes chrome bumpers, a driver-side mirror.\nimpressive ..", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588620915, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4466732, "authorName": "carman944", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/carman944/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Blofish Could be because almost all of the comments have nothing to do with this car OR asking questions about it. Just lots of memory jabber....", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588621317, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4466745, "authorName": "RodgerRabbit", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/rodgerrabbit/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Wow", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588621385, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4466777, "authorName": "KeninSJ", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/keninsj/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@West-Coaster Your recollection on the air cleaner is correct. Per the '72 Vega brochure, a \"50,000 mile disposable air cleaner\" was standard.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588621556, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4466831, "authorName": "trademark", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/trademark/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Regarding basic equipment I recall the original VW Rabbits charged extra for rubber pedal covers\n\nThis Vega is loaded", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588621963, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4466908, "authorName": "Vega_1971", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/vega_1971/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@West-Coaster My memory is that GM bragged that that \"sealed\" air filter was supposed to last 50,000 miles but my opinion is that was an optimistic number. I know very few folks who stuck with it. As a poor college kid back then I certainly never bought one and figured out how to pry it open. Much of the Vega's appeal to me back then and over the years is how easy they are to figure out and work on. I knew very little about cars but was eager to learn. It is simple and un-intimidating so I dove right in on doing my own repairs. Remember you got a 90+ page do-it-your-self manual in the same package with the owners manual. \r\n\r\nI fully agree with lots of folks here that GM made some really stupid mistakes on the Vega but for me the positives far outweigh the negatives. I get to have a great looking, great handling, economical, reliable car that so far I have always been able to fix myself.", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588622218, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4466914, "authorName": "fuzzydog", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/fuzzydog/", "bidAmount": 8400, "content": "$8,400 bid placed by fuzzydog", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588622262, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 4466948, "authorName": "Anonymous", "authorUrl": "", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Reserve not met on 5/4/20 at $8,400", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588622403, "type": "bat-bid-reserve"}, {"id": 4466953, "authorName": "buickboy63", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/buickboy63/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Really?", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588622446, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4466958, "authorName": "QQMiata", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/qqmiata/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Yikes!!", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588622477, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4466961, "authorName": "turbotato", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/turbotato/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Wow...figured it sold...", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588622494, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4466971, "authorName": "fuzzydog", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/fuzzydog/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "We used to pick them up for $500.00 at the local wrecking yard !!!", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588622527, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4466980, "authorName": "turbotato", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/turbotato/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "lol...my '72 with a small block in it was $1000 back in '81", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588622588, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4467021, "authorName": "West-Coaster", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/west-coaster/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Vega_1971\r\n\r\nThe thing that you've jarred my memory about was doing proper valve adjustments, which required replacing those thread-in Allen-screw things that were flat on one side. They were different pitch or something, and were color-keyed to their size. So, you figured out how much closer the follower needed to be to the cam lobe, then changed out the threaded thing.\r\n\r\nThe problem was, finding the adjuster screws, years after the engine had gone out of production. I believe there were like seven different sizes, and I used to comb the parts counters at various Chevrolet dealerships looking for them. It was a pain, but the engine performed so much better when the valves were properly adjusted. (Duh.)\r\n\r\nPretty sure I just told you bunch of stuff that you're more than familiar with!\r\n\r\nMost old Vegas on the road just made that \"clackety-clackety\" noise, as many people had stopped bothering with the hassle of valve adjustment.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588622789, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4467051, "authorName": "RobbFrehln", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/robbfrehln/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "RNM, what?", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588622906, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4467087, "authorName": "LMGun", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/lmgun/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "GREED.............................", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588623022, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4467456, "authorName": "turbotato", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/turbotato/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Well a Honda Z600 just sold for $11,200, so maybe $8,400 isn't so bad. I don't blame the seller for trying to maximize his yield. They aren't making more Vegas and finding one that hasn't gone completely back to nature is probably almost impossible. Hopefully buyer and high bidder can work out a deal.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588624328, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4467480, "authorName": "mazda2924x", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mazda2924x/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Just lost the best money he would ever get for that car. It won't go for more anywhere else.", "likes": 9, "timestamp": 1588624405, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4467638, "authorName": "donroger1", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/donroger1/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Bid to four times the amount I paid for a brand new 1971 and twice the amount where I lost interest. Amazing! Still did not meet the reserve.", "likes": 5, "timestamp": 1588625208, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4467742, "authorName": "Billwi", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/billwi/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Don\u2019t blame the seller. To all of the negative naysayers it just shows what a good original car will do and it should do.Not everybody wants a worn out patched up small block Vega. Originality and condition goes a long way.", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1588625320, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4467764, "authorName": "Vega_1971", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/vega_1971/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@West-Coaster I actually think those valve adjuster screws in the tappets are really neato. Much easier to deal with than the shims on my Cosworth or in the similar tappets and shims on my E-type. I have not had to buy any or actually adjust them in a long time. Looks like there are some blue and copper ones on ebay now. Thank goodness for the internet or I think I would have been forced to buy a newer car long ago to be my daily driver.", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588625436, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4468128, "authorName": "Tigers196884", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/tigers196884/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I was a Vega owner in 1975. These were awful cars during an awful period of time for the Domestics. Don\u2019t remember ever seeing so many stories about any old model about rust and a bad engine. \nMine had both. Like nearly everyone else\u2019s. Not much romance here. \nI wouldn\u2019t go back and get in one to own if it was Free. Sorry but that is the reality with these IMO. $8400 seemed like a lot to me.", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588627223, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4468339, "authorName": "homer_gator", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/homer_gator/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "The auction is over so, here goes. I went to do a test drive on a Vega in late 1971+- when they came out. Went to the car and opened the door and it fell onto the ground. The damn doors were welded on and the top hinge was just tacked and fell off.\n\nThe winner is @fuzzydog! The loser is the owner. ALL OF THE MONEY IN THE WORLD FOR THIS CAR. The fastest thing on a Vega was the rust!", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1588628443, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4468446, "authorName": "Treepeddler", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/treepeddler/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "200 comments on a Chevy Vega. This site is not just about the cars but also about the people who own or owned them. Here\u2019s to you brother Eddie.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588629257, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4468492, "authorName": "RodgerRabbit", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/rodgerrabbit/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "You have got to be kidding me ,saved somebody 8400 bucks and heartache !", "likes": 7, "timestamp": 1588630111, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4468580, "authorName": "needthatcar", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/needthatcar/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I'm a bit surprised $8400 isn't enough to buy this one. It's really quite nice, but it's no superstar. There was a 45k mile Cosworth in better shape than this here in my town for sale for $10k last year. \r\nGood luck to the seller finding the person who can't live without this one.", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588631791, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4468605, "authorName": "Rnieder", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/rnieder/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Saved my comment until the auction finished. I ordered a new 72 Vega, BRG, tan interior (nice looking car) through a dealer friend of my Dad in Illinois. Practical car for me and wife #1. I\u2019ve owned a lot of cars and this was the worst pos I ever had the misfortune to own. Kept for about a year and got rid of it after the head gasket failed. Bought a 72 240Z, one of the best cars I ever owned.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588632336, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4468607, "authorName": "Kayemtee", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/kayemtee/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I don\u2019t know who is (more challenged?); the seller who wouldn\u2019t take $8400 for this car or the high bidder who offered it?\nI loved all the great remembrances of this car and how they almost all were reflections of how bad this car was when new, even compared to something as bad as a Pinto.\nThis wasn\u2019t even that well preserved; bad paint color mismatch on the right side and a bid cruddy underneath. It\u2019s not anywhere near good enough to collect.", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588632568, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4468842, "authorName": "Empress", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/empress/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I told you so. Garbage. Anybody paying more than 5k for this thing is a fool", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588638390, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4469005, "authorName": "ninetwodigits", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/ninetwodigits/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "well, I have bought a newer Porsche 914 for less.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588641192, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4469058, "authorName": "alanbob", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/alanbob/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I purchased a Vega GT in this color new in 1972, custom order from the factory. Spent 10 months and hundreds of dollars trying to make it into a decent car (Holly 4-bbl, manifold, headers, glass packs, dyno-tune kit), failed miserably and bought a 1973 Opel Manta Rallye to replace it, a much better car in every way. The Vega handled well and was comfortable, but that's about it. \r\n\r\nTrue story: I removed the passenger door panel chasing one of many annoying rattles; inside I found a petrified white-bread sandwich half with a bite out of it. There was resentment of the automation at the Lordstown, Ohio plant which prompted a certain amount of retaliatory quality issues. I remember reading that breaking the glovebox door on the way to the inspection area was a popular tactic.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588642087, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4469267, "authorName": "West-Coaster", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/west-coaster/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Okay, in case anyone's still checking in on this listing, I'll counter all the \"worst car I ever owned\" comments. \n\nMy '73 GT hatchback was sitting forlorn at a gas station near CSUN with a faded piece of paper advertising it for sale, curled up on the dashboard. This was in June 1979, and young me needed an inexpensive car that wouldn't kill me at the gas pump. \n\nThe owner of the gas station said it was owned by a family that he knew, and he let them park it there. But it had been there for several months, and had a layer of dirt on it. Silver with black deluxe interior, manual transmission, and factory A/C. The sign said $1100 or best offer, so I called up and inquired. It was an older couple whose son had gotten the car new in high school, drove it through college, and had now gone off to law school. It sounded like they didn't want to bother with the car any longer, so took my offer of $900 if I promised to register it right away. \n\nWith 70K on the odo, I don't know if the engine was original, but after the gas station owner gave me a jump start for the dead battery, it not only fired right up, but didn't produce a trace of smoke at all. Just purred like a kitten. \n\nFirst stop was the coin-op car wash, where I literally watched that dirt come off in the form of mud. Guess what was lying under all that dirt? Pretty decent silver factory paint! The tires were pretty cracked, so I went to Super Shops and bought a set of Radial T/As. You know those ones they advertised for $39.95, even though most all cars needed a much larger size? They were the ones that fit Vegas and Pintos. Well under $200 out the door for CR60-13s, mounted and balanced. Next, I bought a can of Rally wax for $2.49 and shined up the silver paint pretty well. The only area that was oxidized was the rear panel between the taillights, so with two cans of Krylon I painted that flat black, for a \"custom\" touch. I used the rest of the paint to put a new coat of black on the factory rally wheels. \n\nNext, I had to fix the two things that didn't work: the Delco AM radio and the horn. The radio was repaired with a new fuse. And the horn? Crud and corrosion had made the little thing that vibrates not move, so I squirted a bunch of WD-40 inside and let it sit for 10 minutes. Voila! Horn unstuck, and working. Oh, and the air conditioning worked like a charm, even in the toasty San Fernando Valley that summer. \n\nEventually, a set of Gabriel Stiders (the go-to shocks if you couldn't afford Konis) helped it handle much better, in conjunction with the BFG T/As. And really, that car never let me down. Drove it for two years, and sold it to a couple who wanted a project car to put a V8 into.\n\nSo I guess I had the 1 in 100 good Vega. Or maybe the 1 in 1000, or 1 in 10,000. Who knows.", "likes": 14, "timestamp": 1588646398, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4469593, "authorName": "MrBeanCar", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mrbeancar/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "RNM; I'm not surprised. BMW Isettas are going for $25-$50k, and the Vega is the GM version of the Isetta.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588661402, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4469688, "authorName": "LMGun", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/lmgun/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "GREED...&...INSANITY", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1588678362, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4470196, "authorName": "XLer8", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/xler8/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Reserve Not Met? \r\nBAT = Bring A Therapist", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588689436, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4471010, "authorName": "Prospect944", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/prospect944/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I like the styling of these early Vega's...especially the front end. I would love to retrofit this car with the 60 degree GM V6 and a 5 speed manual. So, the value here (for me) would be getting an early model, original, unmolested, non-rusted Vega for the transformation. This is a lot of money to spend for a roller, but try to find another Vega shell that is as good.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588700276, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4476799, "authorName": "Krpcinci69", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/krpcinci69/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "X Ler8 - My thoughts exactly. Buy A Turd.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1588784886, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4480385, "authorName": "HairlessB29", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/hairlessb29/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "West-Coaster - - Thanks for adding your voice to the post-RNM denouement of the \u201872 Vega sale. As I had mentioned in an earlier post, I always cringe when Vega auctions arrive on BaT, largely because of the steady stream of \u201ccan you top this\u201d horror stories. I\u2019m fully prepared for the next auction to feature a tale where the buyer gets in the car to drive it off the dealer\u2019s lot and there\u2019s no engine in it. No way to verify this, but my suspicion is that most of the stories of woe likely originate with 2nd or 3rd owners who lived in **ahem** the non-dry areas of the country, not folks like us privileged denizens of SoCal. Yes, my Vega eventually developed the standard problems, but, like you, it never failed me in service (as long as you minded the dipstick!) I bought mine new, had it spec\u2019d out for \u201cperformance\u201d and maintained it properly. Including the years my eventual wife-to-be drove it, it was in the family, so to speak, from \u201871 to \u201885 when I took a job that had a 50 mile round trip commute into DTLA. At that point, it was just time for another car. I lived in an apartment at the time; had I lived in a house on a street with a garage, I might have kept the damn thing!\r\n\r\nOddly, I, too, added a post-auction comment with remarks imagining the unsold Vega\u2019s \u201cthoughts\u201d towards those observers apparently outraged at the (perceived) unreasonably high reserve which resulted in the no sale. Their viewpoint seemed to be \u201cHey this car is a POS; how dare you not validate our low opinion of it?!\u201d For some reason, BaT intercepted and deleted it. Always enjoy your comments, @West-Coaster. Props to a fellow \u201cVegatarian\u201d for not \u201cpiling on\u201d", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1588805738, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4487797, "authorName": "Sandman4x4", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/sandman4x4/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I have to add. I\u2019ve never owned a Vega, but a few Corvairs, that was a misunderstood charming car, claimed to be a death trap by a cheep ambulance chasing two bit lawyer without even a drivers license! Also after reading posts here that include the Vega very negatively with Gremlins and Pacers, that were at least very good durable cars! I must add the Vega was a sharp looking little car, especially the Wagons!", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1588948576, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 4886263, "authorName": "VanCronk", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/vancronk/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@West-Coaster,\r\n\r\nThese SFV summers can be brutal, hopefully you made your way more coastal.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1596820482, "type": "comment"}]