True Story: When The Corvette Had A Vega Steering Wheel

The bizarre but true story on when a production Chevrolet Corvette used a steering wheel from the lowly Chevrolet Vega.
#oldcarmemoires #chevrolet #corvette #chevroletcorvette #V8 #sportscar #steeringwheel

[@davedavis775]

According to Corvette Chief Engineer Dave McLellan who took over after Duntov retired in 1974 . The wheel came about because the country was in a recession and the bean counters would not let them have money for a new steering wheel for the 76 Corvette . You can read about it in Dave's book Corvette From the Inside . Most don't know this but if you ordered your 77 Corvette without tilt wheel you would have received the same Vega style steering wheel . Don't know the numbers exactly but a few cars came without tilt wheel and had the Vega steering wheel . I have seen at least one 77 like this .

[@eddiestanley135]

Believe also used in the Camaro, and Nova 9C1. And agreed with others, not the worst looking wheel they could have used.

[@Kryten4000]

As a long time owner of a '76 Vette (42 years) I can attest to the fact that the so called "Vega" steering wheel is a very comfortable and durable steering wheel. The upper spokes are at just the right height to rest your fingers on when cruising with the window down and your left arm resting on the window ledge. To answer those who have commented that the mid-seventies Vettes were slow and gutless may I remind you that the "76 Vette was the fastest production vehicle made by a North American manufacturer that year (not bad for a car that was bogged down by government mandated emission controls) and with not much modification the stock 350 can keep up with the best of classic muscle cars.

[@Goldencountry63]

I own a 76 L-48 4 speed no option car. I enjoy the 4 spoke steering wheel over any 3 spoke. It as I read up above the same wheel used on early Camaros as I remamber seeing it in a friend's 70 Z28 350 LT1. With all of that said my rubber bumper 76 happens to be one of the most enjoyable cars to drive I've ever owned and I plan to keep it forever. A L-82 dual snorkel factory air cleaner assembly was worth every penny I spent as it has helped raise my hp rating to 181 (ha(.

[@joshuagibson2520]

One of my favorite wheels honeslty.

[@joshuagibson2520]

NOT leather wrapped. Preferably the "roped" z28 type or just the plain style.

[@markfierke8565]

These steering wheels were also available in the Chevettes and Pontiac 1000’s

[@Project_Low_Expectations]

Pretty sure they weren’t.

[@pancudowny]

I used the Vega steering wheel in my '85 S-10, and it looked a lot better than the bulky, plastic stock one. I even got lucky enough to find a "Type LT" insert for the horn button... which in my S-10's case, the "LT" stood for "light truck".😉

[@dukeallen432]

Vegas are very good looking subcompact car. RWD. Manual trans. So many good things about Vegas. Love to find a wagon.

[@CertifiedShadetree]

I had an 88 Cavalier that had the same wheel, so Chevy was making these well into the 80's!!

[@donaldsalkovick396]

Camaro had the same wheel, so did the cavalier in 86 quit calling it a "vega " steering wheel

[@darrenp1549]

That's where it originated

[@ACF6180T]

That was a good looking steering wheel. The only thing not to like about these Corvettes was the H. P. output ; I believe it was only 180 H.P. But those Corvettes were some great looking Vettes IMHO. & I believe that is were the term all show,& no go came from. They are still considered the cheapest Corvettes you can buy.

[@Onesimus4]

Feels sticky just looking at it on the TV. 😂

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

I believe that they used this same style steering wheel as the Monza too... The AMT 1/25 scale 75 Monza SS Custom I just got finished painting has the same steering wheel..

[@Stephen_A.]

My favorite car was the 75 Chevy Monza 2+2 with that Vega steering wheel and T-prong gear shifter. 🙂

[@donbishow5497]

My 1980 Buick RoadHawk has a version of that 3 spoke steering wheel.

[@davidgold5961]

This steering wheel was also used in the Camaro and Chevy Nova to great effect. I love your channel, but your title in this video borders on Clickbait. It is much more accurate to say that this is a GM corporate steering wheel design, which most carmakers have, and is used across many different models.

[@broeheemed32]

Lots of manufacturers do this, but GM takes the prize for that door handle that was on every car they ever made (except the Corvette!) for probably 25 years...... and that "molar" automatic shifter that lasted 20 (and it WAS in the Corvette, too). By the way..... that was a Camaro SS steering wheel in 1970.... before the Vega was released.

[@kfh1]

This was not the last time, the C6 Corvettes have the same steering wheel as the Chevy Cobalt.

[@bbo40]

Pulled a Vega steering wheel out of a junkyard in the mid-80s and installed it in my 1974 Nova. I liked it and when that car had to go to the yard I pulled off the wheel and gave it to a buddy of mine to use in his Chevy truck !

[@henrymorgan3982]

This was the moment in time when all of Americas car manufacturers were going only one way. Down hill. Great tidbit video!

[@hardcorvette]

In all fairness that steering wheel was used in chevelle and camaro before vega gt.

[@pjcornell9691]

My Father bought a brand new white 1976 Cosworth Vega in Atlanta, Georgia! One of the first modifications He did to the car was to install a nice 3 spoke steering wheel!

[@LiveSteamPaddleWheelersPG]

That's not specifically a Vega steering wheel! It was an upgrade option "NK4" appearing early 1971 for almost any model.

[@darrinvandemark4781]

The Cobalt and HHR and Corvette shared the same steering wheel so your last statement in the video is wrong.

[@richarddobreny6664]

It was only when the C7 corvette came out did Corvette get a nice wheel!

[@aaronrunalls375]

C6 wheel is great...awsome that the cobalt and hhr had a Vette wheel, see the difference 😮

[@richarddobreny6664]

@@aaronrunalls375 I have a 2008 Corvette, also had a 2005 with the pilsbury dough boy steering wheel, the 08 is nicer…. Also had a ‘16 Stingray, it was the nicest… but I’m now still driving the ‘08

[@rossdean1997]

Starting in 71, the Camaro used the Vega front bucket seats.

[@andyk2763]

They were more comfortable and supportive too.

[@clinkerclint]

Great video. It really showcases just how off the pulse general motors's finger was at the time.

[@stevelee5724]

Still is... GM sux now more than ever ! Bad ay !

[@vettekid3326]

i had a 1975 Camaro type LT that had that steering wheel and my ex wife's 1975 Vega Estate wagon did to. I considered buying a new Corvette in 1975 but after seeing one fresh off the car hauler from the factory I was disappointed with both the build quality and the interior did look cheap so I ordered a Camaro instead. It had just as good stock performance and was about three thousand less even after I speced it out with 350 four barrel, fourspeed and positraction, front and rear spoilers and heavy duty suspension. Z28's weren't available in '75.

[@seanhoward8025]

Correct, and the ‘74 Z/28 was little more than a front fender badge.

[@siegessaule]

Steering wheel and radio are the things you touch the most and GM got them from the parts bin on so many models. Made them feel so cheap and generic.

[@dukeallen432]

Steering wheel felt fine as did the stereo controls. 90’s GM’s maybe.

[@stevecarmack6267]

I ordered a new Corvette in 1976 and I always liked that steering wheel. The latter Corvettes I had (‘77&’78) all had the new wheel with tilt and telescopic so I had no idea the ‘76 style was a standard feature. Loved those cars👍

[@cj-fh4nx]

Ironically the Chevette and Monza still used a shiny spoke sports steering wheel like the Corvette used but it only had two spokes.

[@mcqueenfanman]

Well, it's not a Vega steering wheel but a Chevy.

[@browningchannel]

The NK4 sport wheel was awesome. In fact I love it so much it's in my 72 Nova and I retrofitted in my 89 Dodge Ram even!

[@danbaumann8273]

My 77 Camaro LT had the same wheel. I think they were pretty much standard in Camaros for quite some time. To be fair,as you say, it’s not a bad looking wheel. Not great but not bad. Certainly nowhere close to the Firebird wheels though.

[@sf-dn8rh]

In California, the Chevrolet Caprice Classic, the 2 door areo coupes could be ordered with the Vega sport wheel, as well as the standard Malibu classic 2door. These were dealer installed on the Malibu and factory on the Caprice. I want to put one on my 79 caprice. Also Pontiac Bonneville shared the steering wheels with the corvette in 98.

[@musclecarmitch908]

I didn't mind the one in the 76 I had, it had red interior and the red Vega wheel complimented it nicely, I'm glad my 79 has the leather wheel though, my favorite is the style my 69 has.

[@davidkastin4240]

Blame it on the Bean Counters 😂

[@mrabaddon7712]

I had a Vega and it had a Corvette steering wheel and I was very happy! 😁

[@V8AmericanMuscleCar]

It seems that in 1976 along with the steering wheel, the Corvette also borrowed power from the Vega. 😉

[@kfh1]

My 77 Camaro had that steering wheel, and I liked it.

[@Bird111648]

I owned a 76 corvette and the same steering wheel and the Camaro also had the same steering wheel

[@toddedwards5373]

Nova ss,camaros,vettes,vegas about everything had this steering wheel in the 70's.and s10s g bodys and several other vehicles had the same steering column cover and components in the eighties.

[@jefffawcett1626]

I really liked it! But to be honest, I much preferred the 60s rosewood style wheel.

[@brianlorsung1964]

I remember sitting in a new Corvette, at a car show in the late 70s, thinking how disappointing the interior was. It reminded me of a budget Chevrolet.

[@thefettfan3994]

I love Corvettes from all eras!!! Great show as always!!!

[@bluecollarbuilds]

The Corvette also had a Cobalt steering wheel

[@pdennis93]

My parents had an 85 Cavalier that had that wheel as well.

[@jmoore5117]

Love The Information !

[@dillonjames-so5cz]

About time we get a new video 😊

[@73Rallye]

1976 corporate steering wheel. Nova had it too.

[@stevehrocks]

The 2006 Corvette shared a steering wheel with another model as well, so that wasn’t the last time.

[@clarkclifford2338]

Awesome video!

[@andydesantis2381]

I had a 1976 Corvette and a 1977 Corvette with the optional wheel. The 1977 had Chevette HVAC controls. I know this because my 1977 had a broken HVAC lever that I replaced sourcing one from a junk yard. I think the 1976 had a much classier setup.

[@smacwhinnie]

I thought it was a Camaro and SS wheel that they used in the Vega. I liked it, but the optional Vette wheel is nicer

[@markg7030]

Vega gets Corvette steering wheel.

[@michaelfleming40]

Shoot, the Camaro also had the Vega steering wheel.

[@failranch9542]

What happens in Vegas should stay in Vegas

[@dukeallen432]

No, Vega had Corvette steering wheel.

[@Connectfarr]

Yay! Longtime no post!

[@YS-fr6nu]

Wow so very interesting

[@josephdipalma5989]

I always thought it was cool that the Vega had a Corvette steering wheel......

[@AlbertPendergraff-rp7jp]

I am glad my grandpa got my Corvette with the three spoke steering wheel and sent's I am related to Louise Chevrolet maybe that helped too Chevrolet is very lucky my family did not take it back over because Louise Chevrolet wanted sports cars when he made the Chevrolet car to bad he sold his stock because if he didn't do that or family would have taken it over and all every one would get is a Corvette or a Camaro or any other sport car just like Louise Chevrolet wanted

[@misterenergy959]

My 1974 Vega steering wheel was in great shape…..it only had 50k miles ….when the head gasket blew! I would think there are tons of Vega steering wheels in junk yards with all the rest of the car

[@rcole3838]

Also used in Nova SS

[@BlackAbe007]

I like the intro music.😎👍🏻

[@JobyJoby-iw2wr]

There was actually talk of putting the diesel V8 into the Corvette during this time frame.....

[@somejackball]

i think my old Z28 and RS had the same steering wheel, although my 87 IROC did not. it was T shaped

[@thomasofone]

So many haters on here. But guess what, none of you have a KZbin site. I love this channel.

[@danielb-c9100]

The C6 Corvette from 2005 the 2013. Have A cold ball is stealing well.

[@darrinvandemark4781]

cobalt not cold ball!

[@richarddobreny6664]

Or did the Vega get a corvette steering wheel 😊

[@danam0228]

In some colors it looked fine, but some of them had different shades of colors than the rest of the interior, it looked mismatched, blech

[@nickval5962]

Reminds me of how my dads 2008 Pontiac G5 (A.K.A Chevrolet Cobalt) has the EXACT same steering wheel as his 2011 Chevrolet Corvette GrandSport. Its a bad habit GM has...

[@Hugo_Rocker]

So what? The Vega GT was a cool little car.

[@gordtulk]

They shared loads of parts up and down the GM brands. And cheapened the high-end models far too much.

[@rickymack2611]

Also used on the Camaro at the time

[@islanddon865]

Now you can see when GM began it's slide to the bottom. And after the recent Cruise and Equinox, they may still have quite a drop ahead awaiting them.

[@brentboswell1294]

Calling an emissions era C3 vetted a "premium" model is a stretch...wasn't this the era of the highest Corvette sales ever? They were super common on the road back then compared to today...and the most gutless vettes on the road.

[@tomoday4450]

Cobolt had the same as the Vette

[@alliejr]

Or… you could say the Vega had the Corvette steering wheel. Except for the lack of leather, I thought it looked good.

[@martycoyle3442]

Hated that wheel in Corvette

[@josephmartinez8803]

Chevrolet should have used a Silverado steering instead of the Vega steering wheel. Those years Corvettes were as heavy and as fast as the Silverados!

[@davidgalinat4257]

That's also the Camaro steering wheel.

[@jellyfrosh9102]

Just seems like efficient manufacturing to me. Who cares if a part is reused if it works?

[@MH-53E]

Informative but... that's all I've got to say... pretty sure you knew that when you put it out.

[@michaelbaumgardner2530]

Interesting Fact

[@walterbatman7949]

Typical GM still today you have to purchase high dollar options to get the one option you want I remember the 97 corvette used the same generic am fm stereo they used in the trucks

[@doolallyproductions7234]

Stupid idea i like it in my 75 camaro but the corvette steering wheel is much better and more iconic

[@dr.jiIIaIicecooper2587]

Generalne Motory😂

[@danielstilwell3136]

What about the c6

[@CertifiedShadetree]

Yeah, the C6 had a Cobalt steering wheel!!

[@billymercury3897]

@@CertifiedShadetree And the first year (2005) C6 Corvette had a Pontiac Grand AM Steering wheel

[@komradkolonel]

GM has been a badly mismanaged company for a long time that has managed to succeed in spite of itself. That steering wheel did have somewhat of a cheap look and feel to it but what would have bothered me more if I had bought a Corvette was how GM kept going cheaper and lower quality with the materials they used in the interiors. Paint got bad and was fading out too. That just wasn't a good time for the Corvette.

[@CarlosGuzman-bq8fr]

I personally love ❤️ the steering wheel 🎡 🛞 😏

[@therealjayseh]

Actually a Camaro steering wheel. But whatever, you do you bro lol

[@TheGuyMullins]

KZbin has removed the like button again.

[@Greg-ly2rz]

GM cost cutting was huge throughout the ‘70’s and ‘80’s. My Mom bought a new ‘81 Bonneville and the transmission outlasted the warranty by one thousand miles. The transmission shop owner said it had already lasted longer than most because it was a transmission from the four cylinder Chevette. Behind a V8! He said they were all trash and of course GM never stood behind it! I grew up in a GM family. This was the last one! Total junk!

[@rc51racer30]

Not true about sharing the steering wheel ending in 1976. 2006 ish Cobalt and Malibu have the C6 2006 up steering wheel. Also my 1999 C5 Corvette had the exact same radio system as the 1999 Mailbu. Cheap GM!

[@cee128d]

Let's be honest here. The Corvettes from that era weren't really Corvettes, they were nothing but a hollow shell of a REAL Corvette, just like the Mustang II compared to a real Mustang.

[@michaelzapack4736]

The bean counters had their way with the a/c controls in those vettes too. Ugh, same as chevette or vega. Really cheap looking/feeling. Sad

[@JohnDoe-to2kv]

For Pete’s sake, what is the deal about Corvettes and Steering Wheels? When will people understand the Economics of Car Manufacture? The Corvette, due to low production numbers is bound to be a “Shelf-Car” Many of its Components are used in other Models of General Mayhem’s line up to keep the MSRP at a level where people still buy the product. So if you don’t like the Steering Wheel, buy an Aftermarket one for a few hundred $.

[@andyk2763]

It's really annoying to hear it called a "Vega" steering wheel countless times though the video. In fact, that very same steering wheel was first used in the '71 Chevelle SS... not exactly an unloved and undesirable car like the Vega. It's also not a rare steering wheel. As others have mentioned, it was used on some Cavaliers into the late 80's. Normally I like your videos and have been a subscriber for a while, but sorry, this one's a dud.

[@nunyabizness8508]

That was one ugly steering wheel.

[@zillsburyy1]

American cars are a horror story

[@johnnymula2305]

As someone that grew up on them. I hate to agree. The 50’s and 60’s were cool and fun. The trucks are the only product worth buying from the 70’s and 80’s. Otherwise. I’ll stick with my German cars. They require a bit more maintenance. But are much more enjoyable to look at and drive.

[@zillsburyy1]

i have had toyotas for years. worry free every day@@johnnymula2305

[@richardbowles1037]

You have no idea what you are talking about.

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

Computer-generated voice? Talk about cheap. The whole thing is un-listenable.