V8 Swapped: 1976 Chevrolet Vega Cosworth TwinCam

Chevrolet launched the Vega in 1970 with design from GM chief stylist Bill Mitchell and GM thought they had an ace up their sleeve. The lightweight Vega had a number of interesting engines in development, including an inline-4 with alloy overhead cam setup, a Wankel rotary engine, and an all-alloy V8. The bean counters pulled a straight on the river and the Vega launched with a dismal 140 cubic inch engine that only got interesting in 1975 with the launch of the Cosworth Twin-Cam version that was unfortunately neutered to 110 horsepower at 5600 rpm. So what do you do with an miserable GM failure of a car with an almost interesting engine…what did you expect? You swap in a Chevy 350 small block V8 and go to town. Find this 1976 Chevrolet Vega Cosworth TwinCam bidding for $7250 in Dundee, MI via ebay.

From the seller:
You are looking at a 1976 Chevrolet Cosworth Vega. The car has been converted to a 355 Chevy four bolt main with Vortec heads. It also has an Edelbrock intake and Edelbrock Carburetor. it is paired to a 700R4 overdrive auto transmission with a 2600 B&M torque converter. with a 373 posi rear end. it also has an upgraded radiator with standard mechanical fan and an electric fan. there is also an external radiator cooler. The car is in excellent condition with me being the 3rd owner. The paint looks to be original and in great shape with some normal nicks and paint fading for a 45 year old car. the interior is also in good shape with some carpet fading and some attention is needed for a few trim pieces. although the interior is in good shape, considering it just came from Alabama last year. and the sun has faded the carpet some. The one thing that will need attention in the future is the weather strip for the doors and hatchback. I was told that the engine and transmission were both gone through within the last couple of years and it runs and drives excellent. The brake system including rotors, drums master cylinder has all been replaced this year. the car is manual steering and brakes. I am attaching a link to a walkaround video with the car running.

Item specifics
Condition: | Used | Year: | 1976 |
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): | 1V770 6U222842 | Mileage: | 56471 |
Model: | Other | Drive Type: | RWD |
Make: | Chevrolet | Fuel Type: | Gasoline |
Interior Color: | Burgundy | For Sale By: | Private Seller |
Sub Model: | Cosworth | Body Type: | Hatchback |
Drive Side: | Left-hand drive | Warranty: | Vehicle does NOT have an existing warranty |
Exterior Color: | Burgundy | Disability Equipped: | No |
Number of Cylinders: | 8 | Vehicle Title: | Clean |
Transmission: | Automatic | Engine: | 355 Chevy V8 |

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Just looked at the walk around video. That thing sounds sweet.
NOOOOOooooo……..
Nice, original examples of this exact car with intact Cosworth and manual trans are selling for 911 money the last couple years. Who screwed the pooch?