Vega styling has stood test of time. Black and gold paint with the right stance helps too.

Is this the coolest H-Body on record? Forget about crappy aluminum motors, sketchy rustproofing and so-so build quality and take a look at how natural a LS1 V-8 looks nestled under the hood of this black and gold, 1975 Cosworth Vega. For a car that has been so maligned, the Vega’s styling has held up surprising well too. You can’t say that for the Pinto or the swarms of Japanese cars that washed up on US shores during this era. We are firm believers that horsepower cures all ills and here’s a textbook example for sale from Car Buffs in Concord, CA.

Looks like it rolled off line at Lordstown.

Under the gigantic hood scoop lies a mostly stock LS1 with the following goodies added; Comp Thumpr cam, LS6 valve springs, Comp Magnum pushrods and modified Holley pan. Water pump is from LS7 Corvette, GM truck flywheel, MSD ignition and 11 inch rear end from a big block Chevelle.

The car has suspension bits pilfered from a sportier Monza, manual steering and brakes, 4-speed tranny and 3:08 gears for easy highway cruising.

Driver quality cosmetics show a few flaws but original sheet metal looks straight aside from some minor bubbling at rear window. We think the hood gives too much away and would replace it with mellower sheet metal and remain as stealthy as possible at a stop light. Gold, 15” OEM wheels look good with bigger rubber.

The interior retains all the gold trim, Cosworth plaque and upper level trim that define this limited edition Vega.

Needless to say, the monster torque and power of the LS1 dwarfs the meager output of the stock sixteen valve, four cylinder and it’s been said it drives like it rolled off a GM assembly line. You probably couldn’t build it for the asking price of $21,975 and the only drawback would be explaining to your friends you paid that much for a Vega.