Chevrolet Vega

Chevrolet Vega
Chevrolet Vega
	1971 Chevrolet Vega
Overview
Manufacturer	Chevrolet (General Motors)
Also called	Vega 2300
Production	1970–1977
Model years	1971–1977
Assembly	United States: Lordstown, Ohio (Lordstown Assembly); South Gate, California (South Gate Assembly); Canada: Quebec (Sainte-Thérèse Assembly)
Designer	GM & Chevrolet design staffs; chief stylist, Bill Mitchell
Body and chassis
Class	Subcompact
Body style	2-door notchback sedan; 2-door hatchback; 2-door station wagon; 2-door panel delivery;
Layout	FR layout
Platform	H platform
Related	Pontiac Astre; Chevrolet Monza; Pontiac Sunbird; Buick Skyhawk; Oldsmobile Starfire;
Powertrain
Engine	2.3 L (140 cu in) 2300 L13 I4; 2.3 L (140 cu in) 2300 L11 I4; 2.0 L (122 cu in) RPO Z09 I4 (Cosworth);
Transmission	3-speed manual; 4-speed manual; 5-speed manual w/overdrive; Torque-Drive 2-speed Powerglide requiring manual shifting; 2-speed Powerglide automatic; 3-speed Turbo-Hydramatic automatic;
Dimensions
Wheelbase	97.0 in (2,464 mm)
Length	169.7 in (4,310 mm)
Width	65.4 in (1,661 mm)
Height	51 in (1,295 mm)
Curb weight	2,181–2,270 lb (989–1,030 kg) (1971)
Chronology
Predecessor	Chevrolet Corvair
Successor	Chevrolet Monza

The Chevrolet Vega is a subcompact automobile manufactured and marketed by GM's Chevrolet division from 1970 until 1977. Available in two-door hatchback, notchback, wagon, and sedan delivery body styles, all models were powered by an inline four-cylinder engine designed specifically for the Vega, with a lightweight aluminum alloy cylinder block. The Vega first went on sale in Chevrolet dealerships on September 10, 1970.^[1] Variants included the Cosworth Vega, a short-lived limited-production performance version introduced spring 1975.^[2]

The Vega received the 1971 Motor Trend Car of the Year.^[3] Subsequently, the car became widely known for a range of problems related to its engineering,^[4] reliability,^[5] safety,^[6]^[7] propensity to rust, and engine durability. Despite numerous recalls and design upgrades, Vega's problems tarnished its reputation and that of General Motors. Production ended with the 1977 model year.^[8]

The car was named for Vega, the brightest star in the constellation Lyra.^[9]^[10]

^ "First Peek At Chevy's Vega". Cincinnati Enquirer. August 6, 1970. p. 49.
^ Robson, Graham (April 17, 2017). Cosworth the Search for Power. Veloce Publishing. p. 235. ISBN 9781845848958. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
^ "Motor Trend Past Car of the Year Winners". Motor Trend. November 16, 2015. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
^ "The Right Stuff: Does U.S. Industry Have It?". Time. October 29, 1990. Archived from the original on November 30, 2007. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
^ Cite error: The named reference pop mech was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ "Autos: Too Small, Too Soon". Time. November 29, 1971. Archived from the original on December 14, 2007. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
^ Sherman, Joe (1993). In the Rings of Saturn. Oxford University Press. p. 70. ISBN 978-0-19-507244-0. Retrieved January 13, 2012. vega criticism chevrolet saturn.
^ "GM's Lordstown Plant Bids Goodbye to Vega". The Herald-Palladium. St. Joseph, Michigan. July 23, 1977 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Chevrolet dealers prepare to unveil new Vega mini-car". Eugene Register-Guard. August 6, 1970. p. 8E – via Google News.
^ "Twinkle twinkle little car". Life (Advertisement). August 7, 1970. p. 11. Chevrolet's upcoming little car was named after a star. No ordinary run-of-the-Milky-Way star, mind you. Vega. Star of the first magnitude. Brightest in the constellation Lyra

[1] "First Peek At Chevy's Vega". Cincinnati Enquirer. August 6, 1970. p. 49.

[Cosworth-2] Robson, Graham (April 17, 2017). Cosworth the Search for Power. Veloce Publishing. p. 235. ISBN 9781845848958. Retrieved March 7, 2020.

[3] "Motor Trend Past Car of the Year Winners". Motor Trend. November 16, 2015. Retrieved March 6, 2020.

[time_05-4] "The Right Stuff: Does U.S. Industry Have It?". Time. October 29, 1990. Archived from the original on November 30, 2007. Retrieved January 13, 2012.

[pop_mech-5] Cite error: The named reference pop mech was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[time_06-6] "Autos: Too Small, Too Soon". Time. November 29, 1971. Archived from the original on December 14, 2007. Retrieved January 13, 2012.

[rings-7] Sherman, Joe (1993). In the Rings of Saturn. Oxford University Press. p. 70. ISBN 978-0-19-507244-0. Retrieved January 13, 2012. vega criticism chevrolet saturn.

[8] "GM's Lordstown Plant Bids Goodbye to Vega". The Herald-Palladium. St. Joseph, Michigan. July 23, 1977 – via Newspapers.com.

[ergnmic-9] "Chevrolet dealers prepare to unveil new Vega mini-car". Eugene Register-Guard. August 6, 1970. p. 8E – via Google News.

[10] "Twinkle twinkle little car". Life (Advertisement). August 7, 1970. p. 11. Chevrolet's upcoming little car was named after a star. No ordinary run-of-the-Milky-Way star, mind you. Vega. Star of the first magnitude. Brightest in the constellation Lyra

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