1974 Chevrolet Vega from North America - Comments

Replaced original block at 66K miles due to cylinder scoring and excessive oil use. Second block ruined when head gasket blew due to head bolt thread stripping in aluminum block. Cylinder head rebuilt three times due to excessive oil loss through valve guides.

Saginaw 4 spd. transmission was excellent and trouble-free as was rear end and suspension.

It's hard to believe that a car that looks as good as the Vega could be so poorly built and troublesome. This car has laways been a real head turner and continues to do so to this day. I love the styling, the comfortable and very roomy interior (hatchback coupe), and the excellent handling characteristics. She's too pretty to get rid of.

I had two Vegas - a 1972 sedan I inherited from an aunt and a 1974 wagon. The first was a nice little car. I got it when it was 5 years old - drove it a couple years and passed it on to my little sister who drove in a couple more. The thing just died after about 80,000 miles - but oddly, none of us ever had any trouble with it until it just flat out stopped running. I don't know why, as it wasn't my car by then.

The '74 wagon was a disaster - timing belt was installed incorrectly and by the time a mechanic figured that out it was too late. It burned oil like crazy - looked like it was running on steam power from all the smoke - and was prone to break-downs. Worst car I ever owned.

In 1975, I bought a 1974 Vega GT from Fisher Brothers Chevrolet in Mahopac, NY with 8,000 miles on it. I owned it for 2 years before totaling it on the Saw Mill parkway with 29,000 miles on it. the 4 speed manual shifted well, the steering was fine and the engine had some power. It was by no means a racing car, but was solid, basic reliable transportation. I changed the oil and filter every 2,000 miles and lubed the front end. Most cars (foreign and domestic) will last if you maintain them and do not abuse them. I've owned nothing, but GM cars since 1975 and have had no major problems with ANY of them...