Vega GT Kammback. That's right . . . I said it out loud ! ! ! : Other Vehicles : The MG Experience

Vega GT Kammback. That's right . . . I said it out loud ! ! ! #1
TeamEvil Thomas C (Disabled) Kingston, MA, USA Sign in to contact	Topic Creator (OP) Sep 17, 2014 12:29 PM Top Contributor Joined 12 years ago 5,815 Posts

We just scooped up a really nice condition 1973 (chromed bumper) Vega GT Kammback with zero rust and a fully re-manufactured engine, five speed trans conversion, Monza rear end, near perfect interior, and Cosworth wheels. Drove from Cape Cod to Lake Placid and back to get it and destroyed/abandon a car trailer in the process, but WELL worth it.

Have to say that it really drives like a modern car, smooth and fast, tight as can be. Riding/driving it makes you wonder what all of the fuss was about. It's just lovely, except . . .

The heater was removed at some point in it's life. Nothing but two aluminum block-off panels left.

Would anyone know of a legit source for Vega parts off hand? I've gotten a lot of help with mentions of now non-existent shops and re-sellers, but nothing has panned out. I looked in the few junk yards near by, but only larger GM cars in those. The heaters look similar, some even look the same, but I don't know if they cross-reference for the Vega. Prices are very low and returns are welcomed, but the amount of work for removal is extensive just to find that it's the wrong part, you know?

Would kind of rather buy the correct part first time, and might well want to replace a few parts down the line, so a good source would be a big plus in keeping the ride up and running right.

Random pieces pop up on eBay for sure, still . . . a genuine re-seller with a consistent parts list would be much better.

Can anyone help? Any info/comment/link/idea/etc. would be a help.

Thanks—

TC

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Re: Vega GT Kammback. That's right . . . I said it out loud ! ! ! #2
refisk Rick Fisk Frankenmuth, MI, USA Sign in to contact	Sep 17, 2014 12:41 PM Top Contributor Joined 12 years ago 14,653 Posts

Congrats! Don't know where to get a heater. But a week or so ago I saw a semi-ratty Vega coupe at a car show. The only good thing about it was the Cosworth engine under the hood. thumbs up

Came very close to buying a new Cosworth GT in 1975, but regained my sanity just in time.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014-09-17 12:43 PM by refisk.

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Re: Vega GT Kammback. That's right . . . I said it out loud ! ! ! #3
TeamEvil Thomas C (Disabled) Kingston, MA, USA Sign in to contact	Topic Creator (OP) Sep 17, 2014 02:21 PM Top Contributor Joined 12 years ago 5,815 Posts

Almost everyone in my family owned a Vega at one point when they were first released. Father, sister, brother-in-law, even my brother-in-laws brother . . . the big fat copy-cat ! Pretty much loved them, never really had a problem but they were all well taken care of and serviced regularly at the dealer.

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Re: Vega GT Kammback. That's right . . . I said it out loud ! ! ! #4
refisk Rick Fisk Frankenmuth, MI, USA Sign in to contact	Sep 17, 2014 04:28 PM Top Contributor Joined 12 years ago 14,653 Posts

Believe it or not one of the main reasons I decided to not buy a Vega was the upholstery. Sitting in the driver's seat in the showroom model at my local Chevy dealer I turned and looked over my right shoulder at the back seat. I could see the underside of the vinyl upholstery around the openings in the seat for the belts. This is a car they wanted $5,000 for in 1975. And you can see the backside of the upholstery? Thought to myself "If this is how careless they are at something as simple as covering the seats, how good can the important stuff be?"

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Re: Vega GT Kammback. That's right . . . I said it out loud ! ! ! #5
10kpharo Julian Howard Windsor Lodge, West Coast of New York, USA Sign in to contact 1967 Austin Gipsy	Sep 17, 2014 07:43 PM Joined 16 years ago 4,115 Posts

...and the photos will be posted...when? smiling smiley

Check out my Facebook page: North American Orphan Austin Car Society
https://www.facebook.com/groups/orphanaustincars/

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Re: Vega GT Kammback. That's right . . . I said it out loud ! ! ! #6
MG Geezer Dave Gardner Morton, IL, USA Sign in to contact 1973 MG MGB GT "Rosie" 1974 MG MGB "Maggie (sold)"	Sep 17, 2014 07:57 PM Joined 12 years ago 937 Posts

Funny you should bring up Vegas ... just saw one 2 days ago, probably the 1st time in 10 years or more since I've seen one.

When they disappeared it seems like they disappeared overnite. One day they were there, then they weren't. Some cars just fade away, but it seems like, with the Vegas, someone snapped their finger and they were gone.
Spooky.

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Re: Vega GT Kammback. That's right . . . I said it out loud ! ! ! #7
TeamEvil Thomas C (Disabled) Kingston, MA, USA Sign in to contact	Topic Creator (OP) Sep 17, 2014 08:41 PM Top Contributor Joined 12 years ago 5,815 Posts

I know . . . !

Watching this one right now. Maybe 40 minutes from here. If it stays low and I can borrow the trailer, it might be mine.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-Other-Base-Coupe-2-Door-1974-chevrolet-vega-base-coupe-2-door-2-3-l-/161423338503?forcerrptr=true&hash=item259594ac07&item=161423338503&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

This style is just SO horrid that it's cool. MUCH more so than the Kammback I think. The only thing that would make it better would be if it came in four doors. I have a super soft spot for four door rides.

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Re: Vega GT Kammback. That's right . . . I said it out loud ! ! ! #8
HL Miller Henry Miller Chair City, NC, USA Sign in to contact	Sep 18, 2014 07:11 AM Joined 12 years ago 1,546 Posts

We had one of each in the teenage driver car rotation when I was a lad. Mustard colored coupe and a green fastback. I thought I was something on cruise night with a broomstick propping up the hatch and the 6x9's blaring more distortion than actual music.

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Re: Vega GT Kammback. That's right . . . I said it out loud ! ! ! #9
littlecars David Bassett Nashville, TN, USA Sign in to contact 1963 Chevrolet Corvair "Cheeto!" 1965 Chevrolet Corvair "Ski Team Transport SOLD!" 1965 MG Midget MkII "Buffoon --- SOLD!!!" 1966 MG Midget MkII "Swiss Cheese...SCRAPPED" & more	Oct 17, 2014 10:35 AM Top Contributor Joined 12 years ago 8,389 Posts

Here's one to consider! GM experimental wagon--http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-Other-GT-1975-chevy-vega-kammback-gt-v-6-65-pics-4-spd-posi-nos-heavily-modified-look-/321553181197?forcerrptr=true&hash=item4ade102a0d&item=321553181197&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

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Re: Vega GT Kammback. That's right . . . I said it out loud ! ! ! #10
TeamEvil Thomas C (Disabled) Kingston, MA, USA Sign in to contact	Topic Creator (OP) Oct 17, 2014 11:53 AM Top Contributor Joined 12 years ago 5,815 Posts

coughbul****cough . . .

Nah, none of what he's NOT claiming to be the actual truth is the actual truth, but it is a nicely done car, if a bit unbalanced and under-braked/suspended.

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Re: Vega GT Kammback. That's right . . . I said it out loud ! ! ! #11
kansaspaul Paul Williamson Vassar, KS, USA Sign in to contact	Oct 23, 2014 07:34 PM Joined 9 years ago 36 Posts

These days Vegas pop up infrequently. The Monza did share many items with the Vega. Good luck with your hunt!

Paul

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Re: Vega GT Kammback. That's right . . . I said it out loud ! ! ! #12
69GT Robert Tyree Murrieta, CA, USA Sign in to contact 1969 MG MGB GT "The B" 1975 MG MGB "Tangerine Sky"	Oct 23, 2014 07:56 PM Joined 17 years ago 1,694 Posts

At least it wasn't a Chevy Shovette

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Re: Vega GT Kammback. That's right . . . I said it out loud ! ! ! #13
Super Speed Demon Uncle Chuck Here, SW CT, USA Sign in to contact	Oct 25, 2014 10:44 AM Joined 13 years ago 3,427 Posts

Nice.... Pictures?

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Re: Vega GT Kammback. That's right . . . I said it out loud ! ! ! #14
mac townsend Fairfield, CA, USA Sign in to contact 1973 MG MGB MkIII	Oct 25, 2014 09:11 PM Top Contributor Joined 18 years ago 24,294 Posts

The Cosworth option almost doubled the cost of the car. And was still a pretty weak performer after all was said and done.

In reply to # 2799692 by refisk Congrats! Don't know where to get a heater. But a week or so ago I saw a semi-ratty Vega coupe at a car show. The only good thing about it was the Cosworth engine under the hood. thumbs up

Came very close to buying a new Cosworth GT in 1975, but regained my sanity just in time.

1973 Pale Primrose Roadster. A nice 10-footer!
SUs, Datsun 5-speed

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Re: Vega GT Kammback. That's right . . . I said it out loud ! ! ! #15
Mainline Ilya Ilya K Ray Brook, NY, USA Sign in to contact 1947 Willys Jeep CJ2A 1972 BMW 2002 1973 MG Midget MkIII 1974 Jeep SJ & more	Oct 28, 2014 09:45 PM Joined 9 years ago 634 Posts

Lake Placid FL or NY?

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