1976 Chevrolet Cosworth Vega

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

The Chevrolet Cosworth Vega was a bold but short-lived experiment by General Motors to inject European-style performance into its compact car lineup. Born from a collaboration between Chevrolet and the famed British engineering firm Cosworth, the Cosworth Vega was a high-performance variant of the standard Vega and was produced only in 1975 and '76. 

Power came from a 2.0-liter, all-aluminum inline-four engine featuring a double overhead camshaft (DOHC) cylinder head designed by Cosworth. This engine, known as the RPO Z09, was equipped with Bendix electronic fuel injection, a rarity for American cars at the time, and produced 110 horsepower — significantly more than the base Vega. 

The 1976 model introduced a five-speed manual transmission and offered more color choices than the '75 version, which was only available in black with gold trim. 

With its advanced engineering and sporty aspirations, the Cosworth Vega cost nearly double that of the standard Vega and was nearly as high as a Corvette. Only 3,508 units were produced over the two-year run, making it one of the rarest Chevrolets ever built. 

Highlights 

• Cosworth Vega Owners Association (CVOA) member-owned Cosworth #2967 

• Finished in Mahogany Metallic (37U) paint over Dark Firethorn vinyl with patterned cloth inserts and red carpet 

• Powered by a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine rated at 110 hp 

• Six years of notes from previous CVOA member/owner detailing repairs and upgrades including (but not limited to): 

• Engine refresh in 2010 at 70,000 miles (replaced crankshaft, #3 rod and piston, rings, bearings, seals, etc.) 

• Upgrade/replaced original four-speed manual transmission with a five-speed from a donor Cosworth (including all the proper hardware and bracketry) in 2009 

• Upgraded interior to cloth inserts spec from a donor Cosworth 

• Repainted by previous owner 

• The chassis number (1V7706U210184) decodes as: 

• 1 – Chevrolet 

• V – Vega 

• 77 – Two-door hatchback coupe 

• 0 – 2.0-liter inline-four engine 

• 6 – 1976 model year 

• U – Lordstown, Ohio, assembly plant 

• 210184 – Sequential production number

Features 

• Gold striping and “Cosworth Twin-Cam” decals 

• Battery replaced February 2025 

• Machine-turned aluminum dash plate 

• Rear fold-down seats 

• Delco AM/FM radio 

• 120 mph speedometer and8000 rpm tachometer 

• Under-dash VDO engine vacuum and oil pressure gauges 

• Cosworth-specific, gold-colored cast aluminum wheels 

Known Imperfections 

• Multiple paint imperfections — dings, scrapes, chips, and fading — most notably on the hood, above windshield, and fenders, with cracks behind driver’s side window 

• Carpet in rear hatch is faded 

• Some aging on rubber door/window seats 

• Light surface rust in trunk/spare tire compartment 

• Tires are aged out 

• Oil leak between the head and cam box 

• Tire Pressures info sticker on inside of door is peeling 

Included 

• Spare tire 

• Jack 

• Lug wrench 

• Keys with Cosworth Vegas key chain 

• Some new weather stripping 

• New top-end gasket set 

• Miscellaneous small parts 

• Service manuals and other assorted historical documentation 

Ownership History 

The California seller of this 1976 Chevrolet Cosworth Vega has owned it since December 2014. It wears a Gemelli Auto Sales (Cheyenne, Wyoming) badge in the rear. The seller says the Cosworth Vega is “California smog compliant” and is a “solid rust-free car. A good candidate to bring to the next level or use as is for local cars and coffee; it always gets a lot of positive attention. Only driven 2000 miles in the last 12 years.”