I came across this gem at Video: Chevy Vega development film yields priceless look at 1970s auto design — Autoblog today. I wasn't born yet in 1970, but it seems that virtually every story I've heard about Vegas is that they were crap. I'm sure some folks could confirm or dispel these assertions. Video at . The video proclaims "the most precisely engineered car in America..." I'm rather impressed that GM had robots doing the welding, back then.
Yeah, they were bad! The unlined aluminum block did not hold up at all. Mine was fill the oil, check the gas! They rusted if you breathed on them.
If you want a more cynical view of the Vega development check out: http://www.amazon.com/dp/product/0960356207?tag=priuschatcom-20 read it a long time ago, but I recall that John DeLorean felt that the accounting department had more influence on the design than the engineering department. Of course we now know that the car was a real piece of crap, one of the worst American cars ever.
The Vega, along with the diesel Olds, the "Cadillac" Cimmeron, the front-wheel drive X-body lemons of the early 80's, Pontiac Aztek, cancelled EV1, reinforced the perception GM thought they could sell junk. It's why many are wondering if the Chevy Volt will be added to that list.
I considered, then omitted it. While it did not measure up to subcompacts of the era like the very durable Corolla, and mpg champ Civic, it was not a lemon. It was an OK subcompact in a very competitive field. Interestingly, this was the last (and maybe only?) time GM ever built a subcompact domestically. As far as a traumatic subcompact goes, I think that dubious distinction goes to the Ford Pinto or Yugo. The list of GM failures is not complete - I grew up in a Corvair.
As a hot headed 19 year old ... all I can say is it's a good thing I wasn't living in Detroit in 1974 and a good thing the GM board wasn't crossing in front of my vega ... when it began to blow up.
I do not want to start a new thread .... but I am curious: Comments on the exterior appearance of the Volt please. To me, it is very similiar to my Son's Cobalt ... which I do not find attractive. The Leaf is destinctive, although I do not think it is terribly attractive either. The Prius appearance may not be admired by everyone, but it is distinct, and immediately recognizable. I dislike graphics on cars, and fear the Volt will come with all sorts of signs .... else the public will have no way to know that the Volt is what the taxpayers have paid dearly for.
Hi All, I can still remember the block long pile after block long piles of Vegas (stacked 6 high) in a local junk yard, where I was getting bits and pieces for my Opel Manta. And those Vega's were the same year production as my Manta. Whoever came up with that Vega engine was quite incompetent. And GM, just like the Corvair, where all they needed was a $5 anti-sway bar, in the Vega all they needed was a $5 set of steel cylinder sleeves....
Well it is based on the Cobalt's replacement platform, the Cruze. I haven't paid much attention either's appearance, but I'm not a fan of the sedan. Particularly with smaller car classes. I think the Ford and Toyota Hybrids with standard counterparts do fine with a basic hybrid badge, and hope GM goes more with styling cues than obvious signage with the Volt. I've heard positive comments the European Volt, has different name, styling. At least on the intertubes, people seem to prefer it over the Volt. The same also seems to go for the euro Ford styling.
