
GM needed an image booster for the Vega. Something fast, something exciting. When something like this was needed in the past, GM would usually take one of their tried and true V8s, drop it in the nose and create a blindingly fast, but often crude, street rocket. The development costs would be minimal and the profits high.
With the Vega they went another, far more sophisticated, route. GM went to Cosworth engineering and had them design a high performance version of the Vega aluminum engine.

By the time the Cosworth Vega finally made it to the street (a year later than first announced) it was hardly the world-beating sports coupe Chevy had hoped it would be. Chevy had planned on building 5000 of these cars. After 2 years they were only able to sell 3508 and pulled the plug on it. The price, $6000.00 - roughly twice the price of a standard Vega - didn't help matters any.

Electronic fuel injection, stainless steel headers, cast aluminum wheels, 16 valves in hemispherical combustion chambers, dual overhead belt driven camshafts, and pistons sliding directly on die-cast aluminum cylinder bores, were not things often seen in the 1970s. It was high tech stuff back then. But, the Vega name and all the (well deserved) negative baggage that came with it, killed this car. It never had a chance.

The car being offered on eBay is an absolutely stunning Cosworth Vega. This is one of the nicest 35 year old cars I have ever seen. Located in Lakeland, FL, click here to see the listing.
The Cosworth Vega Owners Association has a very good, comprehensive website dedicated to this car. You can find it here.
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