The Germans are bad, very bad...

[datsunaholic]

Vegas had aluminum blocks and insufficient cooling.

[MGMcAnick]

GM finally gave up on the aluminum engines in their Vega and Pontiac Astre, and put in the "iron duke" engine in about 1977. Had they not tried the aluminum engine, which also BOASTED ceramic coated cylinders, the Vega/Astre might have been pretty good cars.

[wesw]

well....

if you pay good money for an escort.....

....you should expect a blown head.

[Jarlaxle]

GM finally gave up on the aluminum engines in their Vega and Pontiac Astre, and put in the "iron duke" engine in about 1977. Had they not tried the aluminum engine, which also BOASTED ceramic coated cylinders, the Vega/Astre might have been pretty good cars.

No...because the engines were in a race with the body for what fell apart first.

[Bicycle Bill]

well....

if you pay good money for an escort.....

....you should expect a blown head.

Well, dip me in hot oil and call me a french fry ..... wes made a joke!

-"BB"-

[Burning Petard]

After hearing about the Cosworth Vega I wanted one---REALLY wanted one. Local dealer never heard of it. Then I decided I needed a small station wagon, which the Vega did include. I went shopping to every car dealer in three Michigan counties. Vega station wagon was only to be had with the 'power glide' auto tranny which was just the ticket with old fashioned high torque/low rpm traditional American power but hopeless in a little 4-banger. I settled on an Opel 1900 from a Buick dealer. The Plymouth dealer across the street was unbelievably angry that I would not prefer a nice big full-size Plymouth sedan for the same price. (and I mean full size. I could stand inside the engine compartment to work on the 6 cylinder engine.)

That Opel model 54 held up great. But it had a strange carb mount with a tiny thermo valve in the bottom that opened to let in air when the engine was warmed up. The opening was located just perfectly to get dirt that fell between the valve cover and the intake manifold.

snailgate

[RayThom]

After hearing about the Cosworth Vega I wanted one---REALLY wanted one. Local dealer never heard of it... snailgate

Re. The Cosworth Vega:
"Forgotten quickly by Chevrolet, the Cosworth Vega was not forgotten by a core of knowledgeable enthusiasts. The Cosworth Vega is one of the rarest of Chevrolets, much rarer than that holy icon, the '63 Corvette Split Window Coupe (~13,000 built). The Cosworth Vega came with a unique drivetrain and a level of trim that set it apart from the standard Vega. When the Cosworth hit the showroom floor, it was the 2nd most expensive car that Chevrolet had ever sold�for a mere $600 or so additional one could take delivery of a new Corvette. Those who bought Cosworths then, and those who wanted to but couldn't afford one until later in life, have long since come together to in a Club, joined by their respect, admiration and even love of this truly unique marque."
http://www.cosworthvega.com/cosworth_vega_history.html

[MGMcAnick]

If I've seen more than one Cosworth, I didn't recognize any of the others, and I WATCH cars.

The only rarer car I can remember seeing on the road was a Nash Healey. I've seen two others in museum displays, including one during my personal tour of The Rambler Ranch in Elizabeth Colorado last summer. 507 Nash Healeys were made between 1951 and 1954. I could have bought one advertised locally for $1200 about 35 years ago, but I didn't go see it. Not the first bargain I ever passed up. Unrestored examples are advertised today for around $40,000.