1972 Chevrolet Vega Yenko Stinger in Orange Paint & Engine Sound on My Car Story with Lou Costabile
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ต.ค. 2024
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On “My Car Story” we're in Rosemont IL at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals on 11-18-16.
We’re looking at the 1972 Chevrolet Chevy Vega Yenko Stinger in Orange Paint.
The car's Owner is Mark Hassett. Mark is a “Yenko Car Guy”. He has a Yenko Camaro, Chevelle, and Nova. All are painted Orange. So when he saw this one come up for sale, he wanted to have it to round out his Orange Yenko Car Collection.
To see details on next year’s Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals, go to www.MCACN.com
ENJOY!
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*Hi, If you like this video, please click on the 🤍 THANKS button under the video title" Thank you! Lou*
My mentor mechanic buddy stuffed a sickly built 427 Chevy into a vega panel wagon back in the 70s. He took it on its maiden voyage sans hood with dual quads poking up and open headers,of course. He got on Rte 95 for a quick test blast when a kid in a new corvette started egging him on to race. He didn't want to get towed by drawing attention to his unregistered toy by racing, so he figured he'd stomp it and leave the pesty kid in the dust. He stomped it alright, and the car hooked at a crazy angle and spun him into a 360 at 55 mph in the middle of the highway! Luckily he is a seasoned race driver and kept it unscathed. The vette kid ended up following him home and bought the car the very next day! Lol! Sweet ride thanks again guys!
That's a good story!
@@loucostabile thanks!
He completely scared the life out of himself when he unexpectedly spun it on the highway, so after the kid followed him home and offered to buy it, he was overjoyed to sell it down the road, lol!
He was in the hot rod business for years and had plenty of people who wanted to buy cars from him but never followed through, so he figured this kid was just another in a seemingly endless line of dreamers with short pockets.
Surprisingly, the next morning bright and early, the kid shows up with dad,a pocket full of the agreed upon dollars and a trailer in tow to bring it home.
Needless to say he was stunned the kid came through, but elated, because although he was a seasoned race driver, that thing was a beast that scared the crap out of him! Lol!
Glad you enjoyed the story and thanks for taking time to answer our emails. Hopefully I'll get out to meet you and bench race at one of the car shows in the future. Thanks again Lou!
Good story😅
@@scottweatherman3266 thanks!!! I love the good ol' days when chromed and primer dinosaur roamed the streets with open exhaust leaving posi footprints upon the land....👀
For my Graduation present, I received a 2 year old Chevy Vega GT wagon, with a 4 speed... it was lots of fun, not fast, but it was in great shape And only had 14,000 miles on it.. ohhhh, memories...
Good times Danny Warren :-) Thank you for sharing and adding to the story, Lou
@Danny Warren, it was a cute little car for a teen! Reminds me of a little 1967 Honda S800 fastback my dad got as a trade-in at work. He wouldn't sell that to me though! I was around 17 or 18 then.
That one was a dark green colour.
Shaggin wagon!
I remember up North you could hear the Vegas in town rusting out at night.
That is FUNNY ! :-)
Took my Vega to a automatic car wash once and all I got back was engine, trans, diff, 2 seats and a pile of broken glass. The ride home was challenging.
Wow. Im in soCal and i used to wonder why people stressed "california car" in some of their non local for sale ads.
How long before a perfect chevy gets eaten by the rust over there?
And are the newer cars technology better as far as rust protection?
It lasted 6 months max…
When I was in college, my friend's parents bought him a car. He drove back to school in it. It was a 4 speed manual Vega Sport edition. It looked pretty cool inside and out. When I complimented him on the car he said, "Come on man, everyone knows what a Vega is!" LOL. I will never forget that. No matter what, it was still a "Vega".
Hi Tropical Thunder, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Friends car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
I'm shocked and surprised that there is a Yenko Vega !!! Thanks for the history lesson Lou !!👍👍
Hi Gary, I'm learning all the time from the Care Takers. I think that's a quite fun part to doing the video and sharing with you too, Lou
Don yenko also did some corvairs in the 60's, Only 115, the corvairs is where the original "stinger" name came from, don just carried it over to the Vegas. Cool Vega.
I've Lusted after a Yenko Corvair Ever Since They Were First Introduced!! The Vega's Cool Though!💯👋😎👋
Baldwin motion did a vega too.
Despite its flaws, it was a nice-looking car with simple, basic lines. The Monza's were decent sporty little cars, as well. Glad this pristine Vega has survived.
Hi Steffy, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
@Steffy, The Vega reminds me of the Chevette which reminds me of the EX, which....NEVER MIND!!! :P
The Vega was styled to look like the Camaro, but I think the Vega was actually the better-looking car in those years.
I loved the shape of the Vega
Hi Donald Scott, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Lou
I bought my 1972 Vega Hatchback new in Homestead Florida and drove it 160 thousand miles and owned it for 16 years. I kept the Vega engine, but modified with Holly Mini Muscle carburetor and Edelbrock intake and Mallory twin points disturb and added HEI ignition with high performance spark plug wires. The factory engine lasted 40 thousand miles and was replaced under extended warranty by General motors and the 2nd engine lasted 40 thousand miles. I had the engine rebuilt locally in Miami Florida by HC Wilcox a race car engine rebuilder on 27th avenue and the Miami River in the days we had Hialeah race track (automotive). HC Wilcox modified the engine to have sleeved jugs with the 1977 coolant improvement and the modified engine lasted another 100 thousand miles and was not burning oil when I sold it. I have the sticker on the window when I bought the car. I learned auto body repair work doing the rust repairs myself on the Vega. The heads would crack every 7 years or so and I sold the car for $100 because the oil light was coming on and the heads for the Vega engine were getting difficult to find.
Hi Dennis, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
I, along with lots of others, never knew it even existed. Thanx Lou, you've done it again. Keep them coming Captain Lou!
Hi Eric, Happy to share one with you that you learned something about. I'm learning all the time from the Care Takers and I find that to be so much fun :-) Lou
I'm like you, I have always wanted a Baldwin motion Vega, but never knew don yenko built Vegas
@@chuckwhitson654 Actually, it was BUGSY Siegel who 'built' Vegas! wink.
The Cosworth Vega! In Black and Gold with Gold rims. Best looking Vega ever! Shawn.
Hi Shawn, Thanks for sharing your favorite Vega :-) Lou
I tried to get a loan for a green sunroof cosworth, $7,700. New . Fail i had no credit . 1977 i believe. Memory.....bah humbug!
My first car was a Vega. Good memories. It was a 72 and I was 16.
Hi Beerrunner81, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
me to :)
Had 3 Vegas, a 1973 blue GT, A 1975 orange GT and a 1975 Cosworth, loved them all, wished I still had em.....
Cossie! That was a cool car!
Bill jenkens ran grumpys toy!! Won nationals. Vega!!!
Hi Guy, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your cars :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
I loved boat of my Vegas too
I always loved the Vega styling. Chevrolet designers of that era were so far ahead of the competition.
Hi Jake, Happy to read you appreciate the design of this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Thanks for the memories. Mine was exactly like this one in every way: orange color, stripe, year, hatchback, GT, that cool steering wheel, and Camaro-like grill, only not a Yenko. Loved it.
Hi CRW, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your orange car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Well bless this guy’s heart! A Yenko Vega… Now I’ve seen everything. Boy, if that’s not an oxymoron...!
Hi keydude, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts. Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
O.m.g. i cant take it, i love this car. Lou, i told you i had 2 of them. The gt's are miles apart in interior ambiance. Im now sad. I want mine back. Flaws and all.
@@marknathanks7592 My parents bought a new 72 Vega GT Wagon , White with Black Stripe , love to have it back , thanks for sharing 👍
Thank you for viewing and sharing.
I had a 1974 vega GT just like this one orange same black stripes n all 4 speed here in NE Kansas back in high school in the early 80's. It was a fun car. It did seem like a baby camaro. I ended up owning 4 camaros after it. Those are my passion.
Hi Lisa, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
I learned to drive in regular 72 Vega, it was a fun car to drive, and it did handle pretty good, especially compared to the big boats of the day.
Thanks for the video, brings back memories.
Hi C Smith, Thank you for sharing your story and glad this one brought you good memories, Lou
Also learned to drive in a 72 Orange Vegas GTA 4 or 5 speed, can't remember. Check the gas and fill it up with oil.
@@williammurray8060 I always wished ours was a GTA.
I think the GTA was probably a four-speed, five speeds were pretty rare back then.
Oil went through Vega's like chicken shit through a tin horn.
Run hot is right, one of my earliest memories outside family, . . . a neighbor had one of these 4-banger Vegas he would hotrod around. And when he'd stop and park it in front of the house, the neighorhood kids could come watch the PAINT PEEL OFF THE HOOD. Couldn't have been more than 4-5yo, and the car was newer/younger than I, and just a little revving had the pain cracking and bubbling off.
Hi John, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your neighbors car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
Just gorgeous! What a piece of history! He loves the Yenko Vega!
Hi Geovanni InUSA, Happy to share this rare treat with you :-) Hope you see many more cars on the Channel you enjoy, Lou
Little known FACT! Weird Al YENKObitch lol drove one!
My first car 1972 Vega. wasn't even a GT but I loved it!
Hi hettro-cv60, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Growing up a friend of mine had a 74 Vega and he put a built 350/400 auto in it.Took him about 2 years of weekends and I would come over and help out.Back then everything we did was stick welded by me.We both learned as we went.Sometimes having to fabricate something over and over......till we got it right.Now that car was quick.Well It felt quick to me.He took it to US-30 dragstrip in Gary Indiana quite a few times.It would almost do high 10s .It was always primer black with cragers.Then he had it painted a bright red.The engine bay was detailed by me while he did the body stuff.So later on, he just used it as a daily driver till about 84 or 5.Then one day some guy offered him good money for it.He was getting married and his new lady hated that thing.It was a cop magnet around Merrillville Indiana in the early 80s.Man I wanted to buy it but at the time my GF said.....NOPE......not with me.....lol.Wonder what ever became of that ticket machine as I called it.
Ahhh, "The Cop Magnet" :-) Good memories :-) Thank you for sharing Harley Man, Lou
Many of us had that friend with the V8 Vega. Knowing what I know now, I'd have used the Ford 302 instead of the SBC just because of room in the engine compartment.
@@20alphabet ...my buddy had a 350 in the s 10
@@ezrabrooks7785
Really great stoplight brawlers!
@@20alphabet ...yep colonial Plaza 1977
I had a 72 Vega and loved it.
Hi JoeBarb JB, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
I love the design of the rear Lights on that vega.
Hi Carlos, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Had a 76 back when I was in high school. Dropped a 283 into it initially after the transmission went bad. Engine still ran like a top - but I took very good care of it. The later Vegas came with 3 speed automatic and was basically a Turbo 350 but changed for the Vega. It was called the Turbo 250 and did not have cooling lines to the radiator. Instead it used fins on the torque converter and had holes in the converter cover to try and dissipate the heat from the transmission. I was told that is why my transmission ended up failing. After burning up the 283 I put an LT1 into it from a Corvette that a friend had. Many memories of it and wish I could have another one. When I sold it there was still 0 rust on the entire car.
HI Russ Timberman, Thank you for viewing and sharing the story of your 1976 :-) Lou
Beautiful body style. Wish it had a small block. Love it. Would have been a great turbo car with the stock engine. Sleeved of course.
Glad you enjoy the looks of this one :-) V8 would have been a nice option.
they would have been cool with the over head cam inline six from the first model firebird sprint
I always liked the Vega body style. The wagon was also very nice.
@Dave Scott Worst would be Yugo. As bad as Vega was, it at least had attractive lìnes, like a mini Camaro. I had a new Pinto during my college years which was basic but reliable.
In 1974, I bought a brand new 'Spirit of America Vega.' I so wish I still had it today.
Hi J. D., Happy to read you enjoyed your car :-) Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Despite all the negativity, I dig it. Saw a GT wagon recently at Ace Cafe Show. Root beer brown, 4 lug American mags and a S-10 4.3 v-6/ 5!speed
Looked Factory
Hi jakespeed63, Glad you're "digging" this one :-) That wagon I sure is getting a lot of love now, Lou
A "Chevy Vega" ON A REAL CHASSIS!....WOW!
Hi John, Happy to receive a "WOW!" from you :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
You would think it being a Yenko it would have had a small block. Still a cool car.
By 1970's, performance names meant just added graphics, stripes, chrome, and doodads... and a higher price...
Yeah, we called them "Go Fast" stripes back then. But we still liked 'em. LOL.
JSR Roadrash th-cam.com/video/Akna3BfQAnU/w-d-xo.html
Or at least a v6,I had a Cosworth Vega back in the 80’s and it had no power either for the weight of the car,very disappointing.
You would think.Chevy put a small block in the Chevy Monza so why not the Yenko.
Buddy in high school, in the early 90s, had a 72 Vega station wagon with a Buick aluminum 215 V8 in it. That was a super cool car.
Hi JAD, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Buddy in High School's car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
@@loucostabile
Wow Lou I wasn't expecting a reply from you. Thank you. Your Vega is a really nice car.
Yeah...Steve's car was super cool. His older brother was into building them. They went with the Buick 215 because the 327s and 350s had so much torque that they would shatter the side windows.
On another note I have a 69 Nova, that was my moms daily driver from 1982 until she retired in 1999, that I'm doing a Yenko reproduction on. It's currently a 350 with a turbo 350 automatic car. I'm not sure about the 427 engine. Weather to get the Chevrolet ZZ427, Get a Dart 427 block/ Scat rotating assembly and Pro 1 heads, or piece together a 512 block and 840 heads. Funding for the engine is the big factor.
Garnet red is going to be the color.
A yenko Vega,never knew they existed!!!🔩🔧🔩
There is about 10 left Mark P as they all rusted out.
me either
I never knew about these at all. Baldwin Motion cars sure, knew a guy with Vega had a 400 out of a Pontiac and a turbo 400 transmission. Very fast, twisted because he did not reinforce it, ended up putting the motor in an old Toyota Landcruiser
You can bet you will never see a yenko mustang!🤣
I'm probably an oddity, but back in the day I loved my little `71 Vega Panel Wagon. A lot of good times in that little car...
Hi Tim Martin, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Cool looking car ! I do love the orange paint ! Rare car for sure, even if it's not fast. Thanks, Lou!
Hi D.J. Wagner, I'm glad you appreciate the details on this one :-) You're welcome, Lou
Faster than a smog Vette.
Mark Hassett and the whole Hassett family are great people. Nice to see Mark completed his all Orange Yenko collection!
I've only met Mark, however I so enjoy seeing someone complete there collection. and I'm happy for Mark, Lou
Would have been a great video if you had remote mics! Had a 73 GT, 3 engines, rear quarter rotted out in 18 months. Still loved that car, it was my first new car I bought with my paper route money!
Hi mark, Would have been a great audio of I can make everybody stop at a "live drive in day" at a car show :-) You do what you can, with what you have, in the time you have, and this is the best result, Lou P.S. this is why your video have 44 views on the "Cold start HKS Legamax"
Love it ! I want a Vega so bad !
Hi Timothy & Laura Beebe, Happy to read you "Love it !" Hope you're behind the wheel of the right Vega for you. Lou
WOW great video! I didn’t even know that they made a Yenko Vega that boy is sweet thanks for sharing!😎
Hi Geoffrey Davis Sr., Glad to receive a "WOW" from you :-) Hope you see many more cars on the Channel you'll enjoy, and you're welcome, Lou
Back in 1977 my friend had a Blue Vega with a 350 V8 4 speed . There were 3 of us driving around a 25 mph area but when we hit a long wide street my friend stopped and smoked the tires in first as the car just push me into the seat . The tires chirped in 2nd and 3rd.
The was nothing on the car to show it had a 350 in it other than 5-bolt rims and wide rear tires. Very impressive for a car since I knew what a 12 second 1/4 mile kawasaki H2 felt like .
The number of people in a full size V8 car that had no clue what was under the hood were plenty , plus my friend shocked a few that were quick off the start for the green light and very quickly got educated on what the Vega tail lights looked like.
Hi Gary wood, Good times, good times :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
Gary wood I owned one. Just make darn sure you don’t need to stop fast! I raced about and discovered a thing called brake fade...
I liked that series Vega, problems aside.
Glad you found one you like :-)
Me n a buddy had the time of our lives throwing a 350 small block in one of these. Welded the rear each time we drove it. Great car. In Pa.!
Hi Brian B, Happy to read you and your Buddy had a fun time dropping the V8 in a Vega....good times, good times :-) Lou
Digging that interior.👍
Nice :-)
Beautiful! WOW NEVER KNEW THEY did these.
Happy to share this one with you :-)
You allways feature the best and super rare cars. Thank you.
Hi Tony, Happy to read you're enjoying the Channel with me :-) You're welcome, Lou
Beautiful...
Hi Steve Rzucidlo, Glad you like this one :-) Hope you find many more cars on the Channel you'll enjoy, Lou
Very cool I’ve heard of the Yenko corvair, the chevelle, the camaro, and the Nova but never the Vega
Hi Dean M, Happy to share this rare treat with you :-) Lou
growing up i knew a cpple of people who put small block 350' or 302 in these and the Monza cars....
That's a fun idea :-)
My Monza came from the factory with a 305. It was no conversion. Ran pretty damn good but was only stock.
Randy Hunt
That was probably the lowest horsepower V8 that GM put out
@@oceanhome2023 I'm sure it was. That was not the point. The point was that a V-8 fit.
I had a vega a cossworth model! that thing would flat out fly!!
Hi long shot, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
It's a crying shame that Chevy didn't do a better job manufacturing the Vega. They really are a good looking car for a compact. I have toyed with the idea for years of building an LS powered early Vega. Just so hard to find a good body in this day and age.
Hi 1967davethewave, Cars have an amazing way of looking better with age :-) Hopefully you'll find the right one for you, Lou
I agree Lou. My sister's first car was a '73 Vega GT in 1978. It had 17k miles on it and was clean as a whistle. But even at 11 years old I thought it was kind of a weenie car. All of her friends had Chevelle's, 455 Grand Am's, SS Camaro's and 440 Mopars. The Vega kind of paled by comparison and my sister absolutely hated it even though it was a really nice car. No way she could put a tunnel ram and side pipes on it, lol! But today they look like miniature early 2nd gen Camaro's. And those Camaro's are beautiful.
Vegas forever I worked at a wrecking yard in Southern California, the name was Vegas forever. I learned a lot
Hi John, Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
To the lady in the loudspeaker: SHUT-UP!!!
:-)
The Vega was a great looking car.
Hi Artemus, Happy to read you appreciate the looks of this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
These were great cars with crap engines . Chevy had no idea on building an aluminum block engine. The one I bought the dealer kept telling me that the rings needed to “seat” until it had over 12,000 miles then all of the sudden there was a major problem. Back in 74 you could buy a 71 or 72 for about $350 in good shape, that’s how much of a bad rap the Vega got . Put a monza engine into the Vega and it was fine.
Hi Larry Green, Thank you for viewing and sharing your experience with the car, Lou
@@loucostabile You need to track down a Cosworth Vega, I raced a Porsche 924 through the mountains. I had two other guys with me and ski gear and beat the Porsche through some tight turns. The car would hit 130 M.P.H. The engine had the best scream, each car was assembled off line and the one I had was awesome. Wish I still had it, a 1976. The 76 was available in ORANGE !
Larry Green is 100% correct the motors were junk 🤭😳😉😎💖
@@swedenoble6083 The Vega engine manufacturing technology is what is used today. The failure of the Vega engines, which are very much exaggerated, is more a reflection of the car owner's knowledge, skill, and care, than it is of the engine technology. As a licensed professional engineer, and a research engineer, I can vouch for the soundness of the design and manufacture of the Vega engine. The fact that there are still thousands of Vegas still on the road in the US today, (Go ahead, dispute that too. But at least take the time to visit any one of the dozen or so Facebook Vega groups and peruse the posts and photos before you doubt me.) with anywhere from 60,000 to 150,000 miles on the engines, proves that the engine was of sound design and manufacture. If it were true that there was a design or manufacturing flaw, then every single engine would have the same problem. Obviously, neither assertion is true and the conclusion follows. The one thing that is missing today as it was then is the failure to critically think through a problem to come to a correct conclusion. That applies not just to the self proclaimed auto experts but to administrators from GM as well as Chevrolet. First is to remove one's self from bias, which is impossible without strict discipline. Then acquisition of ALL of the data is required, which is impossible without long-term dedication and hands-on experience in a variety of environments with a variety of approaches. At his point one can figure that there is not going to be an unbiased assessment, because there just are NOT people that disciplined and dedicated. But don't take my word for anything. Look at all of the car magazine reviews of the period that are posted here. The mag reviews sort of make the "non-believers" posting here look foolish. Of course, what does Pat Bedard and his like know about it? They weren't even there when it happened, right? They are just blowhards that made a living at plinking at a typewriter (what is that?).
I paid $790.00 for a 73 gt wagon ,77,000 miles. Car lot. Still wonderful value for me. I could fix anything on it, blindfolded.
I always love the early vega Not very fast rusted out pretty easy, but it was a good looking car and it was very cheap new or used
Hi Ronnie, Happy to read you "love the early Vega" :-) Lou
I have a 1987 Yenko Yugo. It has a turbo charged 5hp Briggs & Stratton under the hood.
LOL !
I have a vega, it has a buick 215 in it.
Moves pretty good?
It does. I have never raced it but it seems pretty quick. With v8 monza suspension and good shocks it handles pretty well. Fun car to drive.
Nice :-) Thank you for sharing.
Always like the look of this Car....
Hi bradpaca, Happy to read you appreciate the looks of this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
There were many things wrong with the Vega, but there were many things right. As a historical piece of history, they are very important. Had Mr Cole let the engineering deliver the power train they originally wanted, this car would have had a more positive future. I will say that in 1971, it was definitely the best looking small car, especially compared to a Pinto, Gremlin, Corona, 510...however the rest of it was half baked
Hi Carlos Guevara, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge - "half baked". I like that :-) Lou
I thought Corona was a beer???
A buddy of mine back in HS put a 327 in his Vega. It was a runner.
Hi Bob, That sounds FUN :-) Lou
Motion Performance of Baldwin, NY did a number of 350 and 454 Vega conversions. I saw a 350 Motion Vega at a show some years ago. It was orange in fact, like this car. The 454 was practically uncontrollable from what I've read--virtually too much engine for the car and scary fast if you could keep it straight! I think the EPA was going to fine Joel Rosen and Motion in 1974 for removing emissions equipment so they ceased building the 454 cars around that time.
Thank you for commenting and sharing your knowledge, cool info, Lou
Yep, I saw a Motion Vega. It had the 350 LT1 engine! I also remember as a kid in the '70s, that companies were advertising Vega V8 conversion kits in the back of HotRod and other magazines. Great times...
Yep, the cars Chevy should have built!
A 350 makes sense. 454 not so much
A small block 400 with good suspension would've been a treat to drive on one of these little rascals.
I had a 72 Vega GT. That is the standard Vega GT steering wheel. Never had a rust problem with mine in the 2 years I had it
Hi Ted Walker, Happy to read this car / video brings back memories of your 72 Vega :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
U must have washed it.
Yeah my white ‘72 GT lived it’s life in Central NY, Syracuse to be exact the “Salt City” and rust out was not that bad.
Yenko Vega? Never knew this existed.
Probably never should've if
this was the best they could do.
Hi BR Speedy's Automotive, Happy to share this rarely seen anymore Vega :-) Lou
Yenko was famous for improving the performance of GM cars. Not only power, but handling, too. I wouldn't be surprised if Yenko did some suspension upgrades on the Vega.
Hi Andy, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A LT-1 350
That's a FUN idea :-)
Just when I thought you couldn’t show us anymore you bring us something more even amazing
Happy to read you enjoy this "amazing" car :-)
@Fruity, I'd say "more ODD amazing!" Welp, I just DID! :P
I've always liked the Vega/Monza cars. Camaro styling on a usable rear drive economy car, whats not to like? Besides the new today, rust the next body.
Hi rawsketch, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts. Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you enjoy. Lou
One of my first cars was a Vega. He’s right about the engines overheating. I live in bakersfield and in the summer it gets in the 115+ degrees. The head gaskets would blow on those if you stopped at a red light too long. I paid $100 for mine, it was a stick shift and fun to drive. My second car was a 68 gto mint condition I paid $100 because someone left it on the freeway and a friend lien’s it for cost of tow.
Hi William, That was quite the upgrade from your 1st to 2nd car. NICE! Lou
One odd part of their "design work " was to have the air filter non-replacable. Instead of changing the paper element they wanted everyone to buy a encased metal air filter from the dealer. I believe this was on the first cars and GM changed it but it's those types of things that lead to imports taking over the industry.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge The Late Night Documentary Channel, Lou
And the filter was rediculously expensive. I don't think the dealer even stocked them.
happy it still got its original motor because its a rare yenko
Pretty cool to find this one :-) Glad it made you happy :-)
These old Vega GTs need small blocks. My cousin had a 72 Vega 327. It would outrun a new ( at the time) 1990 Corvette.
Family found that a small block was on the table but the oil embargo killed that.
I did 350 IN a '72 hatch. 2.73 monza rear behind 3 sp. w/ overdrive! Got 27mpg w/ holly 600 econ.
Hi Faith is Mine !, That's a FUN idea :-) Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
That darn thing is cool. I grew up with Vegas getting one to look like that takes a lot of love and money
I had 2. yeah, I know, a fool and his money.. the first made it to 40 thousand miles, that's after replacing the engine, 2nd, cosworth vega, made it to 19000 miles, pure junk
Hi Aaron Snegon, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
I thought the Yenko was called Yenko Stinger and had a turbo charger installed.
101S My mistake. It was called the Stinger II and the turbocharger was an option. Yenko wanted to produce it with the turbo but the EPA nixed that idea. What a bunch of spoil sports. I have an acquaintance who took a Cosworth Vega motor and put it into his Dodge Colt race car. With the turbo, he was putting out 500 horsepower..
This engine couldn't turn the turbine.
@@robbygee2539 You bet it could, and did. Yenko sold the turbos as an option, under the counter, to avoid EPA fines. Yenko Stinger II's would leave ALL of the competition in the dust when it came to the first corner in a rallye track because the neutral steering kept the wheels in line. No chasing the car all over the pavement trying to keep it on the road. Only production car that could do it. Don Yenko's daughter, Lynn, is a member of our facebook group.
@@Kevin-rz6lm - I had a Vega GT and it was horrible. I will concede, I do not know much about these cars and was loosely basing my comment off the GT, which was terribly disappointing.
Hi Red Lobster Inn, Here is that Yenko Stinger. Enjoy! Lou th-cam.com/video/KMR6D_viSxw/w-d-xo.html
I sold this man a YENKO plastic liciense plate frame, at a Super Chevy Show in Georgia in early 90s. As he was known for owning and showing all 3 big YENKO cars. Had a couple YENKO Corvair Stingers too, back then. Tag frame had address of original Chevy dealership also on intv in white. They then sold HONDA.
Hi William, Thank you for viewing & sharing, Lou
Don't sound powerful but awesome paint I remember the orange really nice.
Hi Keith Rouse, Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this one :-) Hope you see many more cars on the Channel you'll enjoy, Lou
Man, I remember when Vegas were a dime a dozen. I'd love to find one today.
Hi WikdSeafood, Happy to read this car brings back memories :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Early Camaros were 300 and up in LA back n the day.. most likely running
I really like your videos on these great cars but....PLEASE invest in a microphone. It was hard to hear what you or the car owners are saying.
Hi Tacoma 55, When at a live drive in day at a car show, you do the best you can, with what you have, in the time you can do it, and this is what I have to share with you. Lou P.S. If you're interesting in helping, here is my link to Patreon www.patreon.com/MyCarStoryWithLou?fan_landing=true
Was expecting a small block V8. I owned 3 Vegas. Fun little car.
Hi Scott K, The V8 is a god idea. Happy to read this car brings back memories of your cars :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
LMAO.......This is the Chevrolet "RUST BALL"!
My Dad bought one in 1972 in yellow and he had so many problems with it within the first six month that he parked it front of the dealer, he had a six feet by four feet styrofoam "yellow lemon" attached to the roof and park it in front of the Chevrolet dealer for a week as we parade with signs that clearly stated the car was a "LEMON".
He contacted the local TV station, he was aired in the local evening news and in ono week they renegotiated with him, he got a Nova SS and they took that lemon back!
Hi, That is a GREAT Story, and thank you for sharing, Lou
Lou Costabile U R very welcome :-) &
Thank you for your amazing coverage and keen eye for amazing cars!
good hope you have the ss
I still rather have a vega over a pinto
buckster2575
I did just that ... My first car was a 1972 pinto wagon for $600 with 2.0 liter. Drove it until 122k and sold it. I went to used car dealer, wanted the 1972 monte carlo for $1,900 with 100k on it, but my father thought the 1975 vega for $1,400 vega with 40k would last longer and get better fuel economy. I bought the vega, drove it until 68k, replaced motor with used steel sleeved engine and drove that until a year out of college (1988). It was better looking than pinto but engine was questionable quality. Replaced it with a used 1980 celica that my father sold me ... A more reliable car. I did see my old steel sleeved vega around town into the mid 1990's ...rust not issue in washington state.
I had a Red 74 Vega GT.. 2 barrel carb... Whoo Hooo!!. By 1980 the car was rusted out and junked with about 40,000 miles on it.
Hi Pete, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Vega wasn't a bad looking car but Chevy just didn't have the know how on those aluminum heads...overheating and warped heads were main thing of the day.
James, the head was iron, but the block was aluminum, without any steel cylinder sleeves, which has long been the standard process. Wanting to save a few bucks on each engine, GM had developed a chemical process for surface hardening of the aluminum cylinder walls, but after about 20,000 miles, your above-mentioned head-gasket problems would appear. Overheating was a serious concern for the engine, since the engine block is of an open-deck design, severe overheating could cause the cylinder barrels to warp and pull away from the head gasket, causing coolant leaks into the cylinders and cylinder scuffing and the engine would begin to smoke like crazy. As usual, blame the bean-counters...
@@MonzaSSguy Same ALUSIL Aluminum alloy as the Porsche 928 V8 and Adui and BMW. The chevy needed a Al head o go with the block. GM should have had FIAT cast the heads for them. Then spec a somewhat larger radiator with bigger side tanks. it would have been grand. Now recall the Cosworth?
Hi James Kaufman, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Very cool. I always thought the Vega would have sold well in Europe.
Hi timomomomo, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
I give you permission to drop in a 350hp SB.
Thank you Scott West :-)
Being a Yenko, they should have stuffed a 427 under the hood, or at least a 350. Thanks for posting!
Hi James, That's a fun idea! I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
the first ricer?
roknroy1 he's still waiting for VTEC to kick in yo!
@@brspeedysgarage
When we see a wheelie, then we "will know".
No.. made in Ohio. Not Japan...
:-)
The Vega four speed cars were fun
:-)
Again, by 1974 the Vega was a pretty decent car, but its reputation...
Yes the first ones didn't have coolant recovery tank..sooo when the aluminium engine got hot the coolant went on the road and the engine seized up....yenko Vega is that for real???
had a 74 GT, beast down hill lasted 2.5 years before it died going onto dealer lot where i traded it in on van and they gave me 1000.00 trade in
Hi 2right4words, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts. Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Next thing somebody will come up with a Yenko Chevette!!!
Hmmm, interesting...with a small block 302?
gosh,that lady cutting in was awful timing.
You're right, When you're at car shows anything can happen, like (a siren & an announcement in this video) or someone can jump in on the action somewhere along the way....
I had a 1974 Vega, with a hood scoop w/turbo charge emblems, rear spoiler, duel mirrors. Had it painted corvette yellow. It looked like it would fly, but it was a stock 4cyl, an automatic, no turbo charger.
Hi Ricky, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Check the gas and fill the oil please I have to get to the wreckers and find a nice 327 for this.
Hi richard allonzo, That's funny :-) Lou
It's a Yanko, you have to yanko the oil burner. I had 3 orange ones. A 215 Olds v8 5 speed, a 327 and a 454.
What a stupid comment!
Our 74 vega never burned a drop. But we surv. It. U no oil change. Do not over heat. It's not a 283... Lol.
Dad ain't here anymore but damn, he'd be proud.
Thank you for viewing & sharing.
Sucks that this is all Yenko had to work with by this time!
Hi 68Camaro, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
O K.
I remember going to the dragstrip around 1979. The best time for the day on the quarter mile was a 1972 Vega with a 454 and a Powerglide. I believe it ran mid-9s.
Hi Robert Johnson, Ahhh the 72 Vega with a 454 :-) That's quite the FUN ride! Lou
How tha hell!!.. did they fit a bbc(?
Mustv cut all the wheel wells etc out
Lol I'm almost embarrassed for him. Just shows how abused the Yenko badge was at the end.
No doubt, why build a slow Yenko? Just selling the name and lowering the standard for sure. What a missed opportunity for Yenko. They could have made a bad ass Vèga. They look like a miniature camaro. Coulda, woulda , shoulda but didn't.
Hi jkw427, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts. Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Nice to see something unusual and cool .
Hi Jeffrey Fleet, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Nothing Yenko about it. It should have had a SB in it. Waste of badges.
Hi Scott West, Clearly this one is not for you. Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you'll see many more cars on the Channel you'll enjoy, Lou
What a stupid comment!
Scott West Check this out th-cam.com/video/Akna3BfQAnU/w-d-xo.html
Turkey Man
Not a stupid comment at all, considering the Yenko reputation.
Scott West
Badges?
th-cam.com/video/VqomZQMZQCQ/w-d-xo.html
Purchased a '72 Vega new and drove it across country. Great body, terrible everything else (hmmm..seems familiar). It would go out of time on the regular due to the rubber timing belt. It had its quirks but I don't regret buying it.
Hi Dave B, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Vega's and Mavric's could have been fantastic but for the most part America was building S.H.I.T. back in the 70s'
Your comment made me smile as I agree. It's hard to find exciting great American cars from 1975-1985, but if you search hard enough you can still find a few gems, but they seem rare (Trans Am, Z28 & Mustang Cobra's). Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
I had a 78 Trans Am that was and still dear to my heart, It was the 6.6 ( 400 ) and it was very strong. I think the first few years of the 70's produced some fantastic looking vehicles. If quality control actually existed back then and if the Muscle cars movement wasn't driven into extinction by government mandated pollution control and fuel restrictions, we would have had some 'stuff. Did you that the 73 (or so) Split bumper Camero with the 350 had less then 200 hp and only got 12 MPG? A shameful time for the American Auto industry and a perfect time for Japan to get a foot in the door.
Your 78 Tran Am was a highlight in the late 1970's. Seemed like one of the few cars with any performance. Agree with you, that was a time other car companies were looked at as options to the American cars lacking the quality.
That same year Z-28 was actually a lil bit faster. BUT if you cut opened up the shaker scoop and make it functional, it would beat it. lol Trust me, I know lol lol
Interesting how that little change made such a difference. Thank you for sharing, Lou
chevrolet Vega 1972 m'a sauvé la vie en 1979 au Québec Saint Felix de Valois ,collision de côté dans un camion de transport de troncs d'arbres ,foresterie transport avec tracteur remorque ,la voiture Vega n'a pas tordu en deux , en raison du fraime ,construction de cette voiture très solide ,j'ai entré sans freiner a plus de 110 milles a l'heure sur route de campagne a 6 heures du matin une fin de semaine 1979 moi de septembre ,j'ai rien subi de l'impacte ,très très chanceux ,j'étais a chercher un poste de radio compatible avec la région éloigné et manqué le panneau indiquant un stop en bas d'une pente a 200 pieds ,manqué .BANG.
Hi Claude Lavallée, Hi , Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
I had a red one that can best be described as Bondo in the shape of a Vega. I've still got the Yenko emblems off of it. They were a little pitted so they were replaced when it got new paint and stripes. Mine no longer had the turbo - iron sleeves a trick head and Weber side drafts woke it right up/
Hi Stuck in the 60s, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
The Vega was such a cool car.350 4 spd and 327 4 spd manuel.gets you to downtown Houston in about 15 minutes.been there and done that.
Happy to read you enjoy this "cool" car :-)