1973 Chevrolet Vega GT

1973 Chevy Vega GT for Sale

History: I am the second owner. I purchased this vehicle from the estate of the original owner for $7000. The car was driven for only 6 years and 48,000 miles by a local Fort Worth woman who used the vehicle as her daily driver until an unfortunate day in 1979 when the timing belt failed. The car was parked and never driven again. The car still has the 1979 inspection sticker in the window. During the storage period the car suffered the usual surface rust and a few mice chewed the wiper fluid container and a couple wires. None made it into the interior but set up home in and around the engine compartment. The motor was seized up and all the seals and fluids were in relatively poor condition. The paint was original and shows to be in excellent condition except for a couple minor areas of rust. The only significant area of rust on the actual body is around the windshield and battery box. The battery box is more acid corrosion than rust.

The Work: My intention was to restore the car to as original as possible. The engine cylinders were treated with Marvel Mystery Oil and soaked for weeks before attempting to move. Slowly the motor moved. I turned it by hand each day until I felt it was free enough to test fire. Using only GM OEM factory dealer parts, the following was performed:Replace Water Pump and Timing Belt. Remove Oil Pan and Replace all Gaskets. Replace Oil Pump. Replace Carb. Replace all Belts and Hoses. Replace Cap, Rotor, Wires, and Plugs. Replace Gas Tank, Sender and Pumpand Clean Fuel Lines. Replace Temp Sensor at Block. Service Transmission and Differential. Sand Blast and Paint Wheels. Any parts that were removed during these processes were clean, sanded and painted before being reinstalled.

Where We are at Now: I have neither the time nor garage space to finish this Vega. Being a purist, I felt that rather than doing the minor body work necessary to make the car show better, I would hand it over as it was originally when I received it. It will show there are no major imperfections that cannot be seen on the surface. Nothing is hidden by paint. There is one minor dent around the drivers door. The rest of the car is straight and near as I can tell has never been in a wreck or had body work. The paint is original. The vinyl top trim was removed to inspect the top to make sure serious rust did not exist therein. It does not. The car now starts and idles smoothly. The oil pressureand compressions all match or exceed book values. I can demonstrate this for the potential buyer if required. It does not smoke. All gears shift smoothly.The A/C with its R12 still cools and works properly. Nothing was done to it. The instruments appear to work properly.The interior is in amazing condition. The leather and dash is soft and looks good. Of course the car was spared the heat of the past 40 years.

Work Still Required: The front end will need rebuilt. Althoughdrivablethis needs immediate attention.The brakes amazingly still work. I've done nothing to them but I would assume this will need attention soon. Most things the car needs can be talked about and pointed out in ten minutes of inspection.

Extra Parts: I have 7 other Vega parts cars and an abundance of spare parts that are costly and rare, plus hard to acquire. Upon satisfactory completion of a the sale I am willing to provide a factory front window, OEM wipers, and an undamagedfront grille.

It's my hope someone who loves these cars like I dowill want to finish this one and make it the gem it deserves to be. It certainly has the potential. The 1973 GT is the most desirable model. This was the last non-emissions car with chrome front and rear bumpers. The lady that owned it loved it and always wanted it brought back to life but it outlived her dream. Now my life has changed and I can't finish it up either. I've done my best to give the next owner a great start.

Any questions 817-715-2112 Rich