1975 Chevrolet Vega Restomod

Description

The fact that it looks sharp and carries a mostly factory appearance might lead you to believe that this 1975 Chevrolet Vega Restomod was a memento from the mid-'70s that survived all these years untouched. Well, you'd be about half-right, as the exterior is mostly stock, and the interior was restored back to retro specs for the most part, too. But this Vega has some secrets, some very powerful secrets. A thumping ZZ430 V8 leads that subterfuge under the hood, and it's matched with a quick-shifting 6-speed manual transmission, a performance suspension, and an angry exhaust that wants to let everyone that there's a hooligan on the block.

Vega's have been built into a hot-rods and dragsters for decades, their wedge-shapes practically beg for it. But if we're honest, none of those builds ever resulted in a super-cool 'sleeper' like this beauty. The rather fetching Brown Metallic lacquer paint gives it a very vital look, underscoring the notion that this vintage compact has been well looked after while not giving any hints as to the outsized power it's packing under the bonnet. Though a little bit of polishing will bring out the best of the shade, you'll find no serious imperfections as you circle the car, including the prominent swirls you so often see from overly exuberant detailing. Sure, it's not perfect, but this Vega's entire existence is about being driven and enjoyed, and for those purposes it plays the part just right. The exterior in its entirety presents very well - clear glass surrounds the cabin, the bumpers both fore and aft sit table-level and sport fresh looking rubber pads, and the badging on all four sides is very much on point – including the somewhat tongue-in-cheek 'Stingray' emblem on the rear end. From all appearances, any exterior fitting that was questionable has been either restored or replaced entirely to provide a very finished, yet understated look. Looks like we've got the epitome of a "sleeper" right here, and a fine looking one at that.

The tan interior sports its original '70s vibe and mixes vinyl and cloth. Still in factory configuration, it looks pretty sharp for a cabin that's more than 40 years old. Both the front buckets and rear bench seat have been recently reupholstered back-to-stock, as have the door panels, and the light tan vinyl and Houndstooth patterns are perfect for the time period. Everything soft is in excellent shape, including the black carpets up front, and the cue-ball topped shifter that juts out from the floorboard practically taunts you to go bang through some gears with great fervor. You'll find stock gauges and control knobs still residing in the dash, and they are all functional, with the exception of the dashboard clock, which will only be correct twice a day at present. A trio of auxiliary gauges keeps a closer eye on the cackling beast under the bonnet, and a dash-mounted tachometer minds the revs. The entire black dash pad running the width of the cabin is in great shape, with no visible cracks on its still-supple surface, and the original AM/FM stereo is still in place where it's been for decades. A 3-spoke wood-rimmed steering wheel was added to warm things up a bit inside, and it feel great in the hands of the driver. Lift the rear hatch and you'll find plenty of usable space, and the good condition of that original carpet tell the tale of well-kept this Vega has always been.

An ultra-premium ZZ430 V8 sits in the center of a very clean engine compartment, looking great with its chrome air cleaner and matte-black, properly badged valve covers. As far as power is concerned, it's in an entirely different world from anything Chevy ever endeavored to put in a Vega, delivering a solid 320 horsepower in its current de-tuned condition - enough to propel this lightweight car forward like a rocket. A 6-speed manual transmission lifted from a mid-'90s Corvette, sits just behind it, providing smooth shifts and teaming with a 3.70 posi rear end to optimize the engine's output while providing a perfect match with the transmission's overdrive gears. With its low center of gravity, the Vega scored impressively well on the skidpad from the start, so corner carving ability is present and accounted for, as well. A Griffin aluminum radiator sits up front to keep temperatures in check and an aluminum driveshaft has been added to optimize power efficiency. Upgraded 4-wheel power disc brakes provide prompt, fade resistant stops as this exhilarating vintage street machine plies its trade on a set of IROC wheels wrapped in performance radials.

Looking very sharp and harboring plenty of power, this 1975 Chevrolet Vega Restomod would be a great match for the enthusiast looking for a truly unique, yet fun-filled ride. Call today!