Story of the First Vega ever built 1971 Chevrolet Vega

History of the Chevrolet Vega 2300
What your seeing here is the very first production Vega to come off the assembly line. Don't worry that doesn't spoil the ending of this Chevy Vega story because its not the end.
First of all there's these guys in the 1960s that really want to build an American subcompact car. In only 2 years. Ed Cole & John Z Delorean. Yeah, the "back to the Future" Delorean guy. Problem is its gotta be good enough to compete with the likes of Datsun, Toyota, Opel, MG & the very popular VW Beetle.
To help in the effort, Chevrolet instituted a new management program, the car line management technique, to produce the all-new car in two years. That's significant because most car designs would take 5-10 years or longer.
Fifty engineers, dedicated to the design of the entire car, were divided into groups: body, power train, chassis design, product assurance, and pleasability. Fisher Body engineers and draftsmen moved in with the Vega personnel. Now, Fisher Body was an incredible automobile coachbuilder founded by the Fisher brothers in 1908 in Detroit, Michigan.
In 1968, there was one body style (the "11" style notchback sedan), one engine, one transmission (MB1 Torque-Drive a manually shifted two-speed automatic) I don't think I ever saw that transmission because when I was building transmissions the only MB1 I ever dealt with was a 1980's ish, Renault. Very different from the transmissions I worked on from the mid-70s Vegas which were Powerglide, the TH200 and sometimes TH250.
Later that year the hatchback, wagon, and panel delivery styles were added. So corporate is piling on the extra work already.
Miraculously by 1969 the design team had already overcome most obstacles including a problem with fuel delivery that was solved by placing an electric fuel pump in the tank. Making this the first production GM with an in-the-tank fuel pump.
The next set of problems came after this car you see here was built. This first Vega in todays terms might have been referred to as a "Minimally viable product". The problems in these early Vega cars could have destroyed the whole Vega project. Luckily GM listened to the customer complaints and made over 300 changes by 1973. The improvements did not stop there. You could say it "evolved" kinda like cell phones and computers do today.
On May 17, 1973, the one-millionth Vega left the Lordstown Assembly plant - an orange GT hatchback with white sport stripes.
Between 1971 and 1977 Horsepower actually trended down. Unless you were lucky enough to score a 1975 or 1976 "Cosworth" Vega. Now, Mr Cosworth and the Cosworth Vega is a whole nother video and I've already filmed a really nice Cosworth Vega for ya.
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[@normanneff1896]

What a beautiful car!!! I owned 4 Vegas in the 70s and early 80s. The engine and the rust were bad, but otherwise it was a beautiful and fun car to drive. I'm looking forward to buying another.

[@gerhelwinters1967]

I use to search for Vegas in the wrecking yard to look for Saginaw 4-speed transmissions. I still have one in my 68 C10 pickup. It's still working good!

[@HomeImProveMentHow]

... Wow that's impressive the C10 pick up really that's even more impressive

[@HomeImProveMentHow]

Nice review, I remember the Vegas having the lunar heads and it always work or blow a gasket put all know about Vegas thanks again for sharing and 2 years wow 50 engineers that's impressive

[@mattfarahsmillionmilelexus]

Wow, I didn't know it was a GT hatch in an awesome color. I want it.

[@tipsytrippinrednecks]

That was awesome great story and information heck yeah cheers

[@MrSFSTUDIOS]

Such a pretty blue lacquer paint!

[@billyb5057]

A great car mate dont make them like that anymore *big like👍Au👀totally viewed*

[@468vega]

Awesome videography! Enjoyed seeing you pan all around and above because I love the Vega body lines, I know...still have my '72 GT after 45 years but with a 6-71 blown 468 big block! I didn't know about the Vega having first in tank fuel pump but my understanding because of the way they were transported on railways on end, the invention of the side post batteries were the result. Got to click on your Cosworth video next.

[@saneauto]

Glad you enjoyed it! Ill be right over to see if ya got some good video of that cool 72

[@rayhayden]

You show the hood and the reflection of the lights made a kind of smiley face... loved it. I do not think I ever owned a Vega, but I loved my Mercury Comet... it was the newer more sleek model, and I believe 1972. (It was, I just looked at some images). What I really loved about the '72 Comet, was the ease of working on the engine... nothing like today, but that straight 200 allowed for plenty of room to reach what I needed to get to, and it was just fun to drive around in. Another LIKE for your video!

[@_Boregard_Rippy_]

.. my brother runs a built powerglide in one of his '70's Nova's .. he drives it everyday it's a former 1/4 mile car converted back to street ..

[@livingyes]

Great Story

[@vegavairbob]

The torgue drive transmission was a modified Powerglide with a required upshift

[@4af]

If the durable 1976 & 1977 Vega had been available in 1971 the car would have been a spectacular success.

[@saneauto]

Your right about that!

[@carolsane9208]

pretty blue

[@_Boregard_Rippy_]

... sucha' cutie ...!!

[@caryheuchert]

My first car… a 1973 Vega.

[@hutchcraftcp]

A family member of mine bought a new 72 GT in silver with black stripes. The engine lasted about 28k miles. The oil smoke was so thick you couldn't see the car. Out of warranty doomed it to a few hundred dollar trade in

[@_Boregard_Rippy_]

.. the hated engine was it's downfall .. it had steel sleeved aluminum block and blew head gaskets-n-stuff .. B4 that all blocks were dependable cast iron ..

[@whiplashfatigue1430]

At 4:28, was that little red and yellow car the model for the Little Tykes Cruiser?

[@user-qv3wb2gy1f]

Car was built in June, 1970

[@donk499]

Well, history would show that the Vega was a failure, even though it surely did improve over the years. Imagine how you would feel if you bought one of these cars only to have the engine quickly wear out, and the body rust away. Chevy should have let their customers drive these cars for a few years as test vehicles, then listen to their complaints. I think the Vega contributed to japanese automakers' success.