It didn’t take long for Vega buyers to see through Chevrolet’s handsome subcompact coupe and its serious mechanical problems.
Among other things, this Chevrolet campaign for the 1971 Vega demonstrates the real thought and effort General Motors invested in its new subcompact. Contrary to events that followed, the engineers weren’t phoning it in. Here, a specially modified cutaway car (known as a “see-through” in the industry) is used to show the desirable features, including coil springs on all four corners and front disc brakes. Other Vega innovations not explored here include the Vert-A-Pack rail shipping system, disposable air cleaner, and the remarkable overhead-cam, four-cylinder 2.3-liter (140 CID) engine with its linerless aluminum block.
However, it didn’t take long for Vega buyers to see through to the shortcomings with Chevy’s handsome little coupe. Troubles soon surfaced with the aluminum-block engine, which proved to be prone to overheating, excessive oil consumption, and exhaust smoking. There were other failures, too, from broken axles to rapid body corrosion. In 1971, Motor Trend magazine named the Vega its Car of the Year, but from there the fall from grace was quick and stunning. Today, the car is often named by industry historians as the worst product in General Motors history. Video below.
My uncle had a 100 mile round trip for his job and in 1971 traded his VW for a Vega. 2 years later it was pretty much shot, sucking down oil, and rust thru in a couple places (New England winter was NOT kind). To say he was unhappy would be an understatement. He traded for another VW and didn’t buy another Chevy until sometime in the late 80’s.
The Vega was far from the worst. Actually it was the only all new car from GM in the 70s. Youve got some research to do. The only site with an accurate history of the car. Years in the making. https://chevyvega.fandom.com/wiki/Chevrolet_Vega
Accurate history? 😄
I’m satisfied with the piece as written. You might give it a closer reading. I never actually offered my own opinion on the car. I seldom do.
I think he’s referring to the post above his, not your article. The link in ot takes you to a hilarious site trying to praise the Chevy Turd, errrr, Chevy Vega.
MarkM, I’m referring to the guy who wrote that I need to do more research. No, I’m good.
Ah, the same person I was referring to then!
It sounds like it was written by GM’s PR department.
Had three of them, 2 were Cosworths, the third one was an Astre. Apart from replacing a timing belt that shuts down the car they were pretty good especially at highway speeds the engine was loafing and returned very good gas mileage. .
As a newly-minted car enthusiast, I convinced my non-car dad to buy a new 1971 Vega Kammback. Needless to say, he never asked my opinion again.
Someone had put their hand on the fender’s wet paint, the engine was replaced (we were ahead of the crowd and the dealer said it was our fault for running the coolant low), the shifter broke off in my hand, and feeling my teenage oats, I pulled a hole shot that split the transmission mainshaft in half and shed teeth from the ring gear. But as the car I learned to drive on, I cherish it to this day. From there, I graduated to clapped-out British sports cars. I had been well prepared for headaches. Neither I nor the family ever bought another GM car.
On paper it was a great car, but in practice it was typical Detroit myopia. Probably caused by the need to make a profit on a subcompact.