Today, this unusual Chevy is extremely rare. The Cosworth variant could be had for nearly double the price of a base Vega, and a Corvette was only $900 more. It could also be supplied with an optional limited-slip differential.Ĭhevrolet built only 3,508 units until 1976 and it could have manufactured a lot more if the price wasn’t so prohibitive.
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That being said, it was still a marvelous motor that made the Cosworth Vega the only GM vehicle that met emission regulations in all 50 states during the 19 model years.Īpart from the unique four-cylinder linked to a four-speed (five-speed in 1976) manual gearbox., the car was fitted with enhanced springs, shocks, and sway bars borrowed from the Vega GT. Of course, the unit was capable of a lot more power, but emission standards severely limited its potential. These are unimpressive figures today, but in 1975, a Corvette equipped with the base 350-ci (5.7-liter) V8 was rated at 165 hp. Installed in Chevron and Lola chassis, it proved successful in the 2.0-liter class during its first outings, but a year later, development was stopped due to reliability issues.ĭetermined to make the Vega lineup more appealing, Chevrolet general manager John DeLorean sent engine designer Calvin Wade to England, where the latter convinced Cosworth to convert the EA into a street motor.Īround 60 lbs (27 kg) lighter than the standard SOHC Vega engine, the twin-cam could make 110 hp at 5,600 rpm and redlined at 6,500 rpm, whereas the SOHC Vega engine peaked at 4,400 rpm and ran up to 5,000 rpm. De-stroked from 140 ci (2.3 liters) to 122 ci (2.0 liters), it was equipped with beefier internals, a Cosworth-designed double overhead cam ( DOHC) cylinder head, or a dry-sump lubrication system which enabled it to produce around 260 hp. However, in 1969, Cosworth also joined forces with Ford’s crosstown rivals Chevrolet to design a smaller race engine.Ĭodenamed Project EA, the powerplant was based on the all-new sleeveless aluminum four-cylinder block that was designed in the U.S.
What made it special was hidden under the hood: an exceptional four-cylinder that took almost five years to develop and benefitted from motorsport tech courtesy of Cosworth Engineering.įounded in 1958 by former Lotus employees Mike Costin and Keith Duckworth, the British company enjoyed a successful partnership with Ford since 1966, resulting in the legendary DPV V8, which dominated Formula 1 for many years. Except for the black paint with gold accents, there were no visible features that could distinguish it from the standard model, yet this was no ordinary Vega. Released in 1970, it was as unspectacular as a small people mover could get, but that changed in 1975 when the lineup welcomed a new, performance-oriented member.Ī two-door hatchback coupe, its exterior was not adorned with spoilers, splitters, or scoops that would hint at a limited-production performance vehicle. One of these vehicles was the Vega, Chevrolet’s take on an affordable subcompact that was designed to fight off the rise of imports. It was a dark age for the automotive industry which was forced to discontinue high-horsepower, gas-guzzlers and develop fuel-efficient, emission-compliant vehicles. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile.Īs a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business.The Malaise era began with the 1973 oil crisis and ended roughly a decade later. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.īBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.īBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment.
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