My buddy Tim and I are putting this Vega wagon together to autocross, road race, drag race, whatever. Just a fun little car, with a roof…..a long roof
We looked at a bunch of rusty hulks all last summer and even received a nasty threat when we low balled some jerk with a really rusty POS vega wagon. Fortunately in December we found this 73 wagon in Milwaukee on Craigslist. It’s a rust-free Arizona titled wagon. Some previous owner primerd it with red oxide primer, because the paint was faded….but its super rust free. I was burned once several years ago & I swore to never buy another car in prime; so I went over this thing with a fine tooth comb…and a magnet.
Its very much nearly rust free: THE BATTERY TRAY IS STILL GOOD! Shocking!! A Vega with the original battery tray!!!!!! Those rusted away in the first year!
Sure It looks like crap, but I’m telling you it’s a cream puff under that ugly azz primer. I thumped the thing 100 times with a magnet before we made an offer on the car.
The line on the door looks like it disappears, but it's just the photo (photos are previous owners pics)
Door jambs are still in the original red paint.
check the bottom of the quarter panel and spare tire well!
The Vega currently has a turbo 3.8 with a NASTY rod knock, but it’ll move under its own power. Engine and t350 trans will be coming out and looking for a new home soon.
We were planning on following the trail that Jeff Schwartz blazed and were looking for aluminum 5.3. Fortunately, we stumbled across another Craigslist score: A complete LS1 engine and 4L60 with the computers, ps pump, A/C and all the wires sensors etc, out of a 1998 Camaro The plan is to reseal it, lose the EGR etc, and swap the cam. . Not planning to run the A/C, at this point.
Next up: we need to find a wrecked 98 and newer blazer for the spindles, rear end, rear sway bar etc. Fingers crossed, but still searching for bits and pieces or a whole truck
Anyway……still gathering parts. I will update when we get more stuff or start to tear into it.