2300 Original miles ! 1975 Chevrolet Cosworth Vega Twin Cam on My Car Story with Lou Costabile

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On “My Car Story” we're in Rosemont IL at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals on 11-17-23.
We’re looking at a 1975 Chevrolet Cosworth Vega in Black Paint. The car comes with a 122 CI twin cam inline four cylinder engine with a 4 Speed manual transmission.
The car's Owner is Jim Mattison. Jim’s had this car since 2020. Jim shares he worked for GM and in 1971 was able to drive a prototype and that is what hooked him on it as the car was supposed to be a sports car.
To see details on the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals show, go to www.MCACN.com
ENJOY!

[@loucostabile]

Hi, If you like this video, please click on SUPER THANKS ❤ with the $ in the middle which is the SUPER THANKS button under the video. Thank you! Lou

[@md11b777]

I bought a new 1971 Vega GT with a 4-speed and AC shortly after they were introduced. This car also had 110 HP with a progressive 2 barrel carb. All in for 3200 bucks! The car did handle very well for the day and was a fun driver with the 4-speed and full tach and gauge package. I drove this car across the us several times without a hint of trouble but I always added oil and changed if needed and kept the coolant full. Later Chevrolet issued several recalls including the addition of a coolant recovery reservoir for the radiator. My 1st trouble showed up at about 45000 miles when oil consumption went to a quart every 1000 miles! The aluminum block was starting to eat itself at the piston bores scoring the walls. After much back and forth to convince the dealer there was a problem, corporate honchos approved a new short block in 1974 even though the warranty had long ago expired. The replacement engine also lasted about 50000 miles at which time I traded the car off for peanuts on the dollar in 1976. So I did get 5 years / 90000 miles spanning 2 engines! Even with all this grief, I did look hard at a new 1975 Cosworth Vegrant,,,er Vega , the car gods stepped in and said "Enough is Enough"

[@loucostabile]

Hi R Troxel, Thanks for sharing your Vega memories, Lou

[@1aikane]

Wow, I didn't expect to see one of these cars that survived this long. Brings back memories.

[@loucostabile]

Hi 1aikane, I didn't expect to see on either. Happy to read this car bring back memories for you, Lou

[@hardtail-gy8dk]

I've heard guys say that some had rust on the new car lot, hard to believe but it usually didn't take long, interesting history with the railcar system they developed to deliver them also, one off never to be repeated

[@TheGunfighter45acp]

This Vega is simply fantastic! I can see why "Mr. Pontiac" would want to own it. I love the special license plate, too. Thanks, Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi TheGunfighter45acp, Happy to read "simply fantastic!" :-) You're welcome, Lou

[@deaconblue949]

That Vega is just too cool Lou! Thanks for sharing it with us!

[@loucostabile]

Happy to share this "too cool" car with you Deacon Blue! You're welcome.

[@paulnelson2362]

I realize the Vega was built as a throw-away car. You drive it for 5-7 years and throw it away. Myself, I've always had a soft spot in my heart for them. Plus, you could throw any gm engine & tranny in them if you could keep the rear end intact. LoL. I really like the cosworth version. This spec of the cosworth is beautiful. Thank you, Lou, for showing it to us.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Paul, Happy to read "i've always had a soft spot in my heart for them" :-) My pleasure sharing this one with you. You're welcome, Lou

[@Gratefulman1965]

In 1975 when I was ten I would ride my bike to the local GM dealer John Koich Chevrolet and look at the new cars. I remember looking at the Cosworth Vega. Same color as well. I have been a car and guitar nut since I was a little kid. Thanks for this memory lane video!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jeff65, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your bike rides to the Car Dealership to check out the new cars :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@davidbaron6647]

Beautiful car The Cosworth Vega was never asperated love it

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read "love it" :-)

[@johncornell3665]

Those Cosworth Vegas were a pretty neat little car. Thanks Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read this one is a "pretty neat little car" :-) You're welcome John!

[@JeffKing310]

I love the diversity of cars on the channel! Great Vega Lou - love it! Thanks

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jeff, Happy to read "I love the diversity of cars on the channel! " :-) I like to keep the Viewers guessing what will be next. Many times I surprise myself :-) Glad you "love it!" You're welcome, Lou

[@donjohnson3701]

Saw a black one at the dealer in 1976. It was a beautiful car but what impressed me was that the engine was signed by the assembler!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Don, Happy to read this car brings back memories of the car you remember from 1976 :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@motorTranz]

This Vega defies the "Vega bashing". Beautiful 😍😍😍😍😍 Thanks Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi motorTranz, Happy to read this one is "Beautiful" :-) You're welcome, Lou

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great looking Vega! 🤜🤛

[@loucostabile]

NICE!

[@keepamerica2astrong280]

110 massive horsepower ! Sounds like a sewing machine 😂But a great original example

[@loucostabile]

Happy to share this "original example" with you :-)

[@MyHumanWreckage]

Well…when you consider 50 HP four cylinders were the norm, that’s a lot of horsepower- and this is a light car. Please keep things in perspective.

[@dylanmccallister1888]

Emissions killed it. With some tuning they can make the 140hp chevy promised initially. Which is such a massive improvement right? 😂

[@JackWelsh-gw7gl]

​@@dylanmccallister1888Actually without the restrictive emissions 300 + was possible.

[@leroycaudill96]

This is a beautiful Vega always like the Vega appearance was not a fan of the power train since I worked on some but this is a nice one thanks Lou.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Leroy, Happy to read "always like the Vega appearance" :-) My pleasure sharing with you, and you're welcome, Lou

[@drcandor]

Just as Lou said finding one like this really is amazing - must be the best one anywhere. . . :>/

[@loucostabile]

I agree Dr. Candor, I'm not sure I'll find a Vega with less miles than this one.

[@hardtail-gy8dk]

Thx Lou, didn't take long for you to post my Vega fix 😊, what an incredible time piece, he said they kept detuning it in development, being Cosworth heritage I'm sure it had way more potential, sure sounds like high rpm idle

[@loucostabile]

YW hardtail, Happy to share this "time piece" with you :-)

[@terryeustice5399]

Thank you Lou ! 💯👍

[@loucostabile]

You're welcome Terry!

[@brianmoore6306]

I've always heard if you were going to have a Vega...it better be a Cosworth!! Of course Mr. Pontiac would have a Vega..as they didn't make the sister car the Pontiac Astre with the Cosworth engine. I've seen a few of these Vegas in my ay, but it's been a really long time. WOW, 2200 miles. That's real treat! Love the brushed aluminum looking dash. it looks as if it came right from the factory! He's a lucky guy.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Brian, Happy to share this "real treat!" with you :-) With this few miles, this is as close as you can get to showroom new, Lou

[@dannyschoolcraft5984]

Happy New Year Lou, and everyone. This is maybe your first video of a Vega. Maybe 4 cylinder car also. Unless the Corvairs were 4 cylinders you featured. 110 HP is good, considering 122 ci. 21 MPG highway, not so much. Beginning in 1970, it was Chevrolet's second compact car, to the Corvair I believe. Expensive no doubt. I remember the GT looking like a small Camaro in the early 70's. If all these cars could be drivin. I guess they're as much a piece of history as anything thing else. It has to be protected to stay original for those people interested. Thanks Lou. and Jim for the video.

[@loucostabile]

Happy New Year Danny. My pleasure sharing this car with you. You're welcome.

[@stevebyrne4235]

A nicer car than my '71 base model! thanks for the video

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you have a 71 base model. My pleasure sharing this video with you. You're welcome.

[@kevinesterline622]

My brother Robbie had two of those. Cool video thanks.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Kevin, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Brothers cars :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and you're welcome, Lou

[@russelladams6432]

Very cool Vega. I've always loved the Cosworth. I have wanted one since I was 16 when I bought my first car from my Aunt and Uncle that happened to be a 1976 Vega Wagon. Not quite as cool as a Cosworth, LOL, but sure was a fun car. Thanks for sharing Lou. Take care.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Russell, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Vega Wagon :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and you're welcome, Lou

[@williekeel3536]

I had 4 Vega's in my earlier years. The last one had a V-6 in it. But love the Cosworth.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Willie, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your 4 cars :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@stevegordon5243]

Very interesting Lou! I didn't know these existed. I remember my dad had a '71 Vega he bought in '73 and rebuilt the engine. It was a pos so he traded it in '74 for a '72 Chevelle Malibu which was a great car

[@loucostabile]

Hi Steve, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Dads cars :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@mikeyb.3004]

Don't believe I have ever seen one in person. Loved seeing this on My Car Story! Thanks Lou and Jim.

[@loucostabile]

Happy to share this one with you. You're welcome Mikey B.

[@trainroomgary]

My girl friend had a Vega - now she is my wife of 47 years. I had a Mustang - Yes - I could not understand why anyone would want to drive a Vega - Gary from Michigan 🚂

[@loucostabile]

Hi Gary from Michigan, Ahhh fond memories of the Vega for you :-) Lou

[@trainroomgary]

True - ✅@@willydavid

[@czechmate6916]

That is one nice looking Vega. I never owned one but I always thought they were great looking cars. I know they got a bad reputation from a lot of people that hated them. 👍👍

[@loucostabile]

Hi Czech Mate, Happy to read "That is one nice looking Vega" :-) My pleasure sharing this one with you, Lou

[@BikeronaTrek]

Wow, what a beautiful Vega! I had a collector friend who lived nearby to me, he had one of these. It was black, and probably as nice as this! He also collected Corvairs and Corvettes. By the way, tires are available for this, they are 13" Maxxis brand, just like a Corvair. They are in short supply though. I have 13" wheels for my Corvair, but have 15" aluminum wheels installed.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Robert, High praise for the looks of this car :-) Thanks for sharing your knowledge on the tires, Lou

[@unitedcity_mc4421]

It’s been a while since you’ve done another Vega, Lou. Cool vehicle.

[@loucostabile]

It's hard to find a Vega in good condition like this United City_mc. Happy to be able to share this one with you.

[@cjdesign5700]

I had a 1971 Kamback my Dad bought new for commuting...looked great but the engine...ugh...2 heads blown. Thanks Jim and Lou for the great Cosworth

[@loucostabile]

Hi CJ Design, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Ahhh Vega engine issues, sadly common. Thank you for viewing, sharing, and you're welcome, Lou

[@JaimeSalcedoA_72]

What a beautiful style this 1975 Chevrolet Cosworth Vega has! The very shiny black paint, with those golden lines that run along the hood and the corners with the "Cosworth Twin Cam" logo, along with the chrome, make the whole thing stand out (special mention for the attractive gold wheels). I don't know, but the front reminded me of the Camaro model from the 70's. An interior, although compact, beautiful and well distributed in black; with stylized and comfortable seats and the attractive gold-turned metal instrument panel with the vehicle's production number plate. As always, the well-preserved collection of sheets, manuals and advertising in the trunk is very interesting. Congratulations to Mr. Mattison, on this rare survivor with only 2300 miles and original tires! Excellent video, and exemplary, Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jaime, Happy to read you enjoy the style of this car :-) Enjoyable to read what you see. Appreciate the kind words on this video, Lou

[@sydrider6023]

The Vegas had this Toyota Celica vibe to it. Nice little sports car.

[@loucostabile]

Hi SYD Rider, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@ultraviolettp3446]

I have always liked the Vega even if I am not a GM guy. Love the styling and this particular model, the Cosworth. It pains me that GM did so little to get this car right when it was introduced and lament the UAW actively sabotaging the vehicle when it was made at the Lordstown plant. Sadly the lack of engineering effort (or the rush to get to market) would foreshadow the demise of GM as future products were routinely launched half-baked and then discontinued once the vehicles were made right. Arrrrrrrrrgh! Can someone say Fiero? Once again, Lou, you bring us rare products and this is such a fine specimen. Like the Pinto, the Vega just disappeared due to rust and to model stigma where no one wanted one other than the "nuts" like this fine gentleman. Keep up the great work, Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi ultraviolet tp, Happy to read "I have always liked the Vega" :-) My pleasure sharing this "fine specimen" with you :-) Appreciate the encouraging words, Lou

[@bruceh92]

Good job Lou for featuring this Cosworth Vega. I would say it was a special car by GM that should have got more praise than it did. Still looks fantastic. Thanks!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Bruce H., Happy to read you enjoy this "special car" :-) You're welcome, Lou

[@thebionicbassplayer]

I once bought a Pontiac Sunbird LE demo with slightly less miles. I actually saw one of these Cosworth Vegas on the highway a few years back. I was actually scared for the driver because it could barely keep the minimum speed, but I nonetheless recognized it was a Cosworth.

[@loucostabile]

Hi The Bionic Bass Player, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Pontiac and the one you saw on the highway :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@thebionicbassplayer]

@@loucostabile You're welcome Lou. I give credit to GM for trying to add some innovation, sportiness and excitement to basically what was an economy car, but I believe the Cosworth Vega was just as or more expensive than a Corvette, so it just wasn't going to succeed in the marketplace.

[@jamesvuxta8723]

Beautiful car

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-)

[@jamesvuxta8723]

@@loucostabile Thank you for sharing I had three of them but not the nearest nice is that I really like to station wagons but they’re all cool

[@davidmckibbin4440]

2300 miles is why it still runs

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@garydesgres1382]

The black and gold paint and the dashboard were later used on the Trans am. The rear and torque arm set up were later used on 3rd gen Camaros. It was the first gm car with computerized fuel injection and factory header.The engines were hand assembled and signed by the buider' in clean room preveously used for zl1. 3.73 posi and 4 speed, it will rev to7500 with ease.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Gary, Thank you for sharing your knowledge, Lou

The Chevy Vega ....the first car to RUST on the showroom floor! Especially the early years, 1971-73!!!!

[@loucostabile]

Ahhh, the memories :-)

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

🙋‍♂️ THANKS LOU ,JIM, ( MR PONTIAC ) FOR SHARING THIS STORY

[@loucostabile]

You're welcome Budget Audiophile Life-long

[@unclerudy9797]

Beautiful Original Lou. MY next door neighbor had a 1973 Cosworth Vega. He loved it ❤ Thanks for posting !

[@loucostabile]

Hi Rudy, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-) Glad to read this car brings back memories of your next door neighbors car. Thank you for viewing, sharing, and you're welcome, Lou

[@garydesgres1382]

nope, 74 and 76 only.

[@Demonbfg]

@@garydesgres1382 75 and 76. I bought one new in 75, # 1668. Great little and fun car.

[@garydesgres1382]

I have #115. It is currently apart. Rebuilding engine.

[@Camaroguy69]

@@Demonbfg Yes ,75 and 76 only. I bought a 1976 new # 2500 in 1977 from a dealer. It sat on the lot for a year, it listed for $6400 but they wanted to move it badly. So I got it for $4600, Great car but you had to really wind it out to got the power it had. Which I didn't like, so in a few years I bought 1969 Camaro RS 350 with a lot a low end torque and 300 horse power. Now that's my kind of rocket ship, and guess what I still have it and it's in great shape!

[@Litauen-yg9ut]

I had seen somewhere that the origional spec engine had close to 200hp, but was too high strung for street use. That would've been a wild little car, and without the heavy front end like a 302 equipped Mustang Cobra 2..

[@loucostabile]

Hi Litauen 2020, Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@michaelcoffey7362]

Nice 😊

[@loucostabile]

Hi Michael, Happy to read this car is "Nice" :-) Lou

[@randysrestoration]

I had a black Cosworth Vega with 100 miles on it way back in 1997. Not sure what ever happened to it. A Collector in Scottsdale bought it. They were well known to not make it to 20k miles before engine failure.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Randy, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@rorymaciver5756]

Motor trend in 1976 tested the cosworth Vega against the Mercury Capri 2.8 109 hp They both did 17.4 quarter mile..

[@loucostabile]

Hi Rory, 1976 racing at it's finest. Thank you for sharing, Lou

[@tomoday4450]

Beauty 👍🏻🇺🇸

[@loucostabile]

Hi Tom, Happy to read you appreciate the looks of this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

OUR FRIEND HAD ONE,😅 But I can’t remember what color I was thinking maybe BROWN 🤷‍♂️… BUT IT IS A GREAT LOOKING 👀 CAR 💚💚💚

[@loucostabile]

Hi Budget Audiophile Life-long, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Friends car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@tommywatterson5276]

I never knew the Vega existed in this form. This one was ahead of its day in Chevrolet and GM, Ford, or Chrysler I suppose. Did I hear this guy say he worked for Chevrolet division in GM ? Then Pontiac I guess ?

[@loucostabile]

Hi Tommy, Happy to read you learning something today. "I hear this guy say he worked for Chevrolet division in GM ? Then Pontiac I guess ?" Yes. Lou

[@craigford4641]

I bet this car would auction for well over 100,000 dollars ! 😮😮.

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for sharing.

[@scottbrady7499]

one hundredth comment on this one. this kind of commercial development item, and the backstory

[@loucostabile]

Hi Scott, Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@kc0lif]

once I did see a cosworth vega in person. i knew someone had a pontiac astre.

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read this car brings back memories of the time you saw a Cosworth Vega :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@Gratefulman1965]

Chevrolet also made a Red, white & blue Bi-centennial Cosworth edition Vega . Part of the “Spirit of America”series.

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for sharing. I did not know that, however if I see one with a Caretaker willing to share, you'll see that one too.

[@craigjorgensen4637]

We had a local dealer who thought these would be hot sellers so he ordered a bunch of them. Boy, was he wrong! A year later he still had a dozen or more rotting on his back lot. The mechanics hated them. A high mistake for General Motors! They were very expensive and they weren’t fast. For the same money a shopper could buy a well equipped Camaro! This one is exceptional but I would be afraid to take it out on the street! Most parts would be impossible to find.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Craig, Thanks for sharing what you recall. Lou

[@paultynan8705]

In 85 i had a roomate he was selling his 3k in this kind of shapi couldnt afford it and bought his parent's 2 door 72 Impala

[@loucostabile]

Hi Paul, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your roommates car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@larryborkstrom3580]

I liked the vega better than what Chevy replaced it with the chevette it's rare to even see any vega let alone cosworth was surprised to see it was a life long Midwest car due to most rusted away before the 80s

[@loucostabile]

Hi Larry, You're right, rare to see a Vega today. My pleasure sharing this one with you, Lou

[@Bradydog-in7ut]

Dad bought a brand new 72 Vega Wagon for $2,500. He hated it and sold it a few years later….but it wasn’t a Cosworth! I know of Escort Cosworth’s in England that are highly prized by collectors (I’d guess they didn’t have emission standards to meet there) but was this car released there? Thx again Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Dad sounds like his Vega had to go...away :-) YW Bradydog!

[@Bradydog-in7ut]

@@loucostabileMe and my little brother would wrestle in the back on family road trips and pops would yell at us to knock it off as the car would rock at times!

[@SolamenteVees]

I wonder how much horsepower that engine made in development vs the 110 in its final form?

[@loucostabile]

Hmmm, interesting question that I don't know the answer too. Maybe a Viewer with knowledge can share.

[@fortyshooter1]

Very cool car back in 1975. At that time I had a 1974 Z/28 and dealer I bought it from had a Cosworth like this one on the floor. I thought it was the wildest thing I had seen with the headers and all. Tried to work a deal but too much to pay including my Z/28 and being just married just could not swing it. A friend of mine traded even his nice 1962 Corvette for it as the dealer was a collector as well! See if you can find a story on a Baldwin/Motion 350 LT-1 Vega !

[@loucostabile]

Hi fortyshooter1, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car you almost traded for one of these :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. That sounds like quite the Vega, and if there is a Caretaker with it willing to share and I've got my camera, you'll see that one too. Stay tuned,, Lou

[@DanEBoyd]

The way Chevrolet should've built them from the beginning. I didn't know/remember that Norwood built Vegas. I thought they only built F and X bodies - with GM taking X body production away from them because of labor problems at that plant.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Dan, Happy to read you like the way this one is built :-) Lou

[@carllavell8673]

👍🔥😎🔥👍

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@101starting]

I'm surprised no rust😂

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@danielulz1640]

I would love to have heard the story of why this car had such low mileage.

[@loucostabile]

Me too.

[@danielulz1640]

@@loucostabile LOL.

[@konradbenz7110]

👍💕👍

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@joshuaandrews9042]

Hmmm. There's one around the corner from me for sale.....I wonder if I should buy it....maybe I could resale her.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Joshua, Hope you're behind the wheel of the right car for you soon, Lou

[@joshuaandrews9042]

@@loucostabile not sure what u mean by that

[@milfordcivic6755]

There were a lot of these mothballed and never driven, this isn't the 1st Cosworth Vega you've featured.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Milford Civic, There are only 3 Vega's I've videoed (72 Yenko Stinger, 73 with 5000 miles, and this one). Lou

[@user-ys7ng6hq5j]

Цікаве авто і історія про нього! Дякую!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Сергій, Happy to share this interesting car with you :-) You're welcome, Lou

[@poorjoey20]

I have heard that the Chevy Vega did not do so well and wasn't such a good quality car.

[@loucostabile]

Hi poorjoey20, There were some engine and rust issues and they are rarely seen today, Lou

[@johnmurphy4323]

It's 6 tenths of a mile away from 2300 miles, call it 2300 instead of 2200.

[@loucostabile]

....please review the title :-)

[@sergeantmasson3669]

At one time, Ford owned part of Cosworth. 1969- 2004.

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@judyroth-tf9df]

Wow not to much rust for garaged since new

[@loucostabile]

You're right.

[@Merylstreep1949]

I always thought the Vega and Monza were cool and got a bad rap Even cooler when someone puts a v8 in one

[@loucostabile]

Hi Chris, Happy to read you always thought the Vega was cool :-) Lou

[@JackWelsh-gw7gl]

327 🤔

[@bobdadruma]

Total junk, I wouldn't want it for free!

[@loucostabile]

Hi bobdadruma, Clearly this one is not for you :-( Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you'll enjoy :-) Lou