Vehicle Description
The fact that it looks sharp and carries a mostly factory
appearance might lead you to believe that this 1975 Chevrolet Vega
Restomod was a memento from the mid-'70s that survived all these
years untouched. Well, you'd be about half-right, as the exterior
is mostly stock, and the interior was restored back to retro specs
for the most part, too. But this Vega has some secrets, some very
powerful secrets. A thumping ZZ430 V8 leads that subterfuge under
the hood, and it's matched with a quick-shifting 6-speed manual
transmission, a performance suspension, and an angry exhaust that
wants to let everyone that there's a hooligan on the block.
Vega's have been built into a hot-rods and dragsters for decades,
their wedge-shapes practically beg for it. But if we're honest,
none of those builds ever resulted in a super-cool 'sleeper' like
this beauty. The rather fetching Brown Metallic lacquer paint gives
it a very vital look, underscoring the notion that this vintage
compact has been well looked after while not giving any hints as to
the outsized power it's packing under the bonnet. Though a little
bit of polishing will bring out the best of the shade, you'll find
no serious imperfections as you circle the car, including the
prominent swirls you so often see from overly exuberant detailing.
Sure, it's not perfect, but this Vega's entire existence is about
being driven and enjoyed, and for those purposes it plays the part
just right. The exterior in its entirety presents very well - clear
glass surrounds the cabin, the bumpers both fore and aft sit
table-level and sport fresh looking rubber pads, and the badging on
all four sides is very much on point - including the somewhat
tongue-in-cheek 'Stingray' emblem on the rear end. From all
appearances, any exterior fitting that was questionable has been
either restored or replaced entirely to provide a very finished,
yet understated look. Looks like we've got the epitome of a
"sleeper" right here, and a fine looking one at that.
The tan interior sports its original '70s vibe and mixes vinyl and
cloth. Still in factory configuration, it looks pretty sharp for a
cabin that's more than 40 years old. Both the front buckets and
rear bench seat have been recently reupholstered back-to-stock, as
have the door panels, and the light tan vinyl and Houndstooth
patterns are perfect for the time period. Everything soft is in
excellent shape, including the black carpets up front, and the
cue-ball topped shifter that juts out from the floorboard
practically taunts you to go bang through some gears with great
fervor. You'll find stock gauges and control knobs still residing
in the dash, and they are all functional, with the exception of the
dashboard clock, which will only be correct twice a day at present.
A trio of auxiliary gauges keeps a closer eye on the cackling beast
under the bonnet, and a dash-mounted tachometer minds the revs. The
entire black dash pad running the width of the cabin is in great
shape, with no visible cracks on its still-supple surface, and the
original AM/FM stereo is still in place where it's been for
decades. A 3-spoke wood-rimmed steering wheel was added to warm
things up a bit inside, and it feel great in the hands of the
driver. Lift the rear hatch and you'll find plenty of usable space,
and the good condition of that original carpet tell the tale of
well-kept this Vega has always been.
An ultra-premium ZZ430 V8 sits in the center of a very clean engine
compartment, looking great with its chrome air cleaner and
matte-black, properly badged valve covers. As far as power is
concerned, it's in an entirely different world from anything Chevy
ever endeavored to put in a Vega, delivering a solid 320 horsepower
in its current de-tuned condition - enough to propel this
lightweight car forward like a rocket. A 6-speed manual
transmission lifted from a mid-'90s Corvette, sits just behind it,
providing smooth shifts and teaming with a 3.70 posi rear end to
optimize the engine's output while providing a perfect match with
the transmission's overdrive gears. With its low center of gravity,
the Vega scored impressively well on the skidpad from the start, so
corner carving ability is present and accounted for, as well. A
Griffin aluminum radiator sits up front to keep temperatures in
check and an aluminum driveshaft has been added to optimize power
efficiency. Upgraded 4-wheel power disc brakes provide prompt, fade
resistant stops as this exhilarating vintage street machine plies
its trade on a set of IROC wheels wrapped in performance
radials.
Looking very sharp and harboring plenty of power, this 1975
Chevrolet Vega Restomod would be a great match for the enthusiast
looking for a truly unique, yet fun-filled ride. Call today!