Re: Cosworth vega?
 

I worked at Economy Chevrolet in Alhambra from August '75 and February '78, and a few Cosworth vegas came along. They were black,had gold colored wheels, a gold colored engine turned dash, gauges, the most exotic looking engine you ever saw with a stainless steel header, dual overhead cams,a littlre better suspension,a stronger rear end,etc,and they were a rather lively piece.The engine was smaller than a regulat Vega motor, 122 cu/in as opposed to 140 for the regular Vega. I never worked on a Cosworth while a dealer mechanic,but the son of some of our friends had one in the late 1980's, and he was replacing the spark plugs,broke one of them, and the porcelain particles and the stem of the plug fell in the cylinder, and he didn't catch it.The resultant engine damage was the head,the cylinder wall,and the piston.Finding parts for it then was nearly impossible. The one difference to the stock 140 inch Vega block was a threaded hole for a steel fitting for an oil drainback pipe from the head and the block so oil could get back from the head to the sump.Putting the Cosworth head on the 140 block would result in insufficient piston to valve clearance,so a piston manufacturer would need to build a set of pistons with the necessary valve clearance eyebrows.Anything could be done if you're dedicated enough, just hope it would pay off. The trans in these cars I saw was an aluminum case Borg Warner T-50.When the Olds Quad 4 engine came along in the 90's, I had to admit thet I'd seen it all before. That's where they got the idea for it,I'm sure.

Re: Cosworth vega?
 

Jim - sorry I couldnt help it.. tss Im glad you found humor in it and Im sure Sherm and Woody got a kick out of it when you called. Im sure he'll be calling me after a couple more calls about the "pristine" cosworth for sale Ha! . First race car Ive turned down a chance to drive...ever..

Were hangin in there up here, I hope all is well for you down there as well.

Hugh

Re: Cosworth vega?
 

Thats funny u mentioned a vega.There is a guy from my home town(LEBANON IN) they called Indiana George Williams that ran a vega in stk elim back in the seventys and won 4 or 5 national events! Some of the old timers on here might remember him.Good luck with this combo.

Re: Cosworth vega?
 

I remember seeing a vega stocker at an IHRA event in the south in the early 80's. I see Pintos on the highway, but Vegas on the street are harder to find than hens teeth. Don Jackson

Re: Cosworth vega?
 

That's cold Mike...I had a '76 Vega too (unfortunately not the Cosworth), and I never had to do that in the 3yrs that I owned the car...2yrs of that being raced on Sunday, and I won one championship, and 7 races out of 8 final rounds (plus a semi-final) in '79 at the Div.V ET Finals held at Marion, Sd. for Team Bandimere! I liked that car so much that I remember the vin...1V77B6U220942, and wish I never would've parted with that car! :(

Mine had the Durabuilt 140ci 4banger with a Turbo 250 auto tranny. I don't know about racing a stick against you the stocker world in a car like that, but it would've been fun to try? If that car hasn't been scrapped, I'd try to buy it back, and re-incarnate it to what it was, then go forward to a stocker class car!!!

Re: Cosworth vega?
 

George Williams(Rampage) and Phil Marsh (Swampys Toy) ran 1971 90 hp (1 barrel) Vegas in Y/S (now W/S).

Re: Cosworth vega?
 

Apples and oranges, sort of , read this: http://www.cosworthvega.com/FrankSloan.htm

Frank is a friend of mine, and since this article, I built him a dry sump pan, updated his cage and some tin work and the car has the new G/Pro record at 157 and change.

Re: Cosworth vega?
 

There's one up for auction next month:

Lot F203 1975 Chevrolet Cosworth Vega 4 CYL, 4-Speed (http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_de...=FL0111-102741)

If you sign up at the site you can see previous sale prices for Cosworths.

Re: Cosworth vega?
 

Hugh, do you ever see or talk to Neil? If so tell him that I called a while back and left a message and please tell him I said hi. Thanks Frank Chastain

Re: Cosworth vega?
 

You can buy fairly decent examples starting at $5K and it's not hard to see sellers holding firm around $7500.
This auction Cosworth has 237 miles on it so who knows if there is a buyer that wants one that bad to pay a lot. Despite what went into these cars, they've never been able to keep up with inflation. A new 'Vette was cheaper than a Cosworth in 1975-1976.