<VV> Vega

[Jim Houston]

When I came back from England in 1973, I needed a car to get me and my 
(new) English bride to my next assignment in Tacoma, WA.  We went 
looking at the Chevy dealer and found a used '71 Vega hatchback that we 
both agreed looked good, so I bought it.  We drove it from San Antonio, 
TX to Tacoma, WA (broke a fan belt in West Texas - otherwise, event 
free).  I took it to the Chevy dealer in Tacoma and he advised me of a 
recall - they did a borescope of the engine and said the cylinder walls 
weren't scratched (no new engine for me) and installed a coolant 
recovery kit. The mechanic told me that since it had AC, the larger 
radiator probably prevented overheating, and thus, protected the 
engine.  We drove it around Tacoma for 10 months and then back to 
Glendale, CA.  I bought a Mini in CA and the Vega became the wife's 
car.  After 2 1/2 years in CA, we went back to Texas (the Vega got towed 
behind a uhaul truck) where it continued to serve as "her" car.  One 
problem occurred when the timing belt broke, but AAA towed it to my 
dad's house and I replaced the belt without any drama.  By late 1977, 
however, it was using a lot of oil, but otherwise wasn't giving us any 
problems, but when one of the guys at work offered to swap even for a 
Mazda "Mizer", we traded and the Vega left our lives after my thousands 
of miles.  I sometimes wish I had kept it, but at the time I just 
couldn't do it.  Maybe because it was a Texas car, I never noticed any 
rust problems.

Jim Houston

On 12/9/2010 10:10 AM, PETER INMAN wrote:
> 1971, brand new Vega that I traded in three months from time I bought it. Every
> time I went through more than 4" of snow the timeing belt jumped and it wouldnt
> run. Couldnt tolorate that living in Northern Michigan. Also 3 of the 4 quality
> Firestone wide oval tires gave out. I drove it like it was a Corvair but it
> wasnt nearly as tuff. Never kept mine long enough to experiance the troubles you
> all are mentioning Bought a new VW Beetle for $700 less than the Vega and was
> happy ever after.
> Pete Inman
> 65 Monza
>
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>
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