bobg1951chevy

I have run across this '63 clone when searching. A nice looking car, with its rally wheels, still hoping to see a true 09. Prices I've seen range from 20k to 90k, clone to original. An original has been on my bucket list, will continue my search. Thanks C.T.

If the Vega "survived" the sliding windshield scenario, that Vega certainly became a candidate for the replacement of rusted out front fenders, under the factory warranty. Once the car appeared "whole again", it then became a candidate for the engine replacement. Never ending liabilities.

Primarily looking for a real 09, but it would (1) have to have documentation and (2) must be a 2 door sedan, no hardtop or convert. Thanks for sharing the links you found.

Thanks for the "heads up".

Thank you for the info.

Looking for a factory equipped 409, 4 speed, 2 door sedan. A driver, NO PROJECTS. P.M. with equipment, color, condition, mileage, known history and price.

Great looking car, but I just hate to see those gas filters hanging there, with rubber hoses. A tragedy waiting to happen.

Same here, when I initially became involved with GM, at dealership level, we only had the Curtis Key Cutter. The elderly Curtis sales rep would appear every month or so, with a new supply of key blanks, etc. Curtis, back then, was based in Eastlake, Ohio .... can still picture the sales rep in my mind.

I would want to determine, with accuracy, as to why and what is bleeding through the interior material. If the panels are re-dyed now, what's to prevent the same process from continuing / reappearing ?

I spent some time this afternoon, looking online for Cosworths that are for sale. Pricing, for the most part, is cheap enough. Can't help but wonder though, as to the cans of worms that may exist, under each hood. I wouldn't know John 348 if he knocked on my door, but do know from his V.C.C.A. posts, that he's a guy who will see things through, as in the case with his own CV and the Weber Conversion. Just wonder .... did the owners of the CV's for sale, do the same homework ? It was always difficult to understand the thinking of my alma mater, GM. "If Engineering could design it, then the technician should be able to fix it". Did we forget about the formal education, between these two individuals ? Engineering, both here and abroad, came up with ideas, ideas that ultimately hatched, then ended up into the production phase. These ideas that ended into production were then adopted by a new caretaker, the flat rate technician. The flat rate technician then went to the GM Training Center, sat in class, listened to his GM Training Instructor, who had his own "spin" on the product, then the flat rate technician put his own "spin" into the mix, by making the repairs "their way", in the field. Something was then lost, from the original "intent" of the product, to the final "fix". Point is, was the newly engineered product that bad ? OR, was the attempt to "fix" that product, really that bad ? OR both ?

"From what I know, the vans were there to help the dealer technicians repair the vehicle, not fix them themselves." I believe that is what I stated. "The van was a mobile assistance tool for problem vehicles in a service dept., or the van provided new information or training on a new phase of repairs."

Good information, thanks.

The "service van" concept was in effect, a few years BEFORE the Cosworth came into existence. Back then, the van was manned by an individual hired by GM, an individual who had (1) mechanical background, (2) G.M.I. training or graduate of G.M.I. ( G.M.I. = General Motors Institute, now Kettering College) and (3) either a current A.S.M. or a G.M. plan to promote to an A.S.M. (Area Service Manager). The van was a mobile assistance tool for problem vehicles in a service dept., or the van provided new information or training on a new phase of repairs. The service van was based in "zones", meaning "Cleveland zone" had a van, "Pittsburgh zone" had a van, "Cincinnati zone" had a van, "Buffalo zone" had a van, etc. Being that "zone office territories" could cross state lines, so did the service van. The Cosworth ad says 48 vans, I understand the vans COVERED 48 states, but 48 vans ? Don't believe that to be accurate. My career BEGAN in sales, but the majority of time was in service, both retail, then at the wholesale side (GM Corporate).

John, So good to have sales and build documentation, from "birth". Black in / out has to look so good. 20 miles on clock, when she was sold new. That indicates several road tests to test "g forces". I see Robert Green Chevrolet is still in business in Monticello. Happy New Year !

Can you believe this ???? The damn air bags didn't go off !

Same to you, V.L., hoping 2017 is a GOOD year for all of A.A.C.A..

Jon, Thanks for all the good advice you provide, during the course of the year. It is certainly appreciated. Happy New Year to you, Jon ..... and all the A.A.C.A. members!

A couple of comments here, John. I will say the Cosworth is fun to drive. I did work for GM, a total of 35 years, at retail level with dealers, and wholesale level, with GM Corporate. Cosworth was priced close to the Corvette, back then, within $1,000 of the Corvette, as I recall. Today the value of the Cosworth is 1/2 to 1/3 of the Corvette value. The title of this thread "A Vega Curiosity" tells me the thread belongs to Vega's.

Being that you sent me your serial number pic, I will reply to you, with the update. In the '49 to '53 GM Chevy Shop Manual, there are pics of various serial number locations, in the front of the manual. In those pics, the serial number tag is a LARGE TAG, much larger, with an overall different appearance, than the slender serial number tag, found on my passenger car "A Pillar post". The NC DMV stated MY serial number tag should look exactly like the one shown, in the manual. Your pic, plus pics from other folks at another site, were sent to the local trooper/inspector, who then forwarded the pics to the Raleigh office. ALL OF THOSE PICS SENT, LOOKED EXACTLY LIKE MY SERIAL NUMBER TAG. Another poster came forward, stated that the LARGE serial number tag, as shown in the manual, is the EXACT tag, which is found on the Chevy 1/2 ton pick up truck. This was then verified from other pick up truck owners. This info was also sent to the NC DMV. NC DMV then agreed to close the bogus investigation on my illegal serial number tag. NC DMV was woefully inaccurate with their information, yet they were very difficult to convince ..... End of story ..... I hope. Thank you, mercer09.

GM left one word out of their statement to the dealer. The missing word is "right". Our job is to build them RIGHT, your job is to sell and fix them.

A dealer signs an agreement with GM, to sell whatever nameplate he is representing, for GM. Mr Dealer must agree to the terms of that agreement, and nods his head, with a smile on his face. However, in the real world, if Mr Dealer chooses not to sell a Corvette or a Cosworth, or a pick up truck, for whatever reason, he can avoid such a sale by pricing the vehicle beyond reasonable expectations, or a host of other reasons. How do "franchise Chevrolet dealers" hone in on only one model to sell, such as a Corvette ? Are their only "Corvette sales only" dealerships ? Bottom line, if the dealer chooses not to sell a specific product, for whatever reason, he'll find a way.

I understand.

That's a beauty, great '50's color combo, a retractable hardtop with a continental kit. Some value there !

Yes, it is in the sales agreement. NO, that was not a form of "encouraging" a dealer to participate. And NO, there was never a Cosworth sold or serviced at this dealership, but we did have the tools ....... just in case.

Want to talk about being held hostage ? ......... A dealership HAD TO ORDER ESSENTIAL TOOLS (KENT MOORE) each year, through GM, for the current model run of cars. An expensive proposition each year, for Mr Dealer. That being said, the Cosworth Vega was about to make its announcement / appearance to the public. My dealer did NOT want to sell Cosworths, was not going to order any Cosworths. GM wanted my dealer to order the Cosworth Vega Kent Moore Essential Tools, good only on Cosworths and BIG BUCKS. Mr Dealer said "NO WAY, I'M NOT GOING TO SELL THE COSWORTH". Back and forth, with GM on this subject. Final word, GM would not send ANY NEW VEHICLE INVENTORY to this dealer, until that Kent Moore order was filled. True story, I was there and very much involved. Hostage holding, at its best by the GENERAL.