This is the start of the re-birth of my old friend David's V8 Vega. We lost David in 1984 and although the car would go to his son Adam, he was a bit to young (4yrs old) for it at the time. So David's brother Vernon took over the street and strip racing duties for the Vega (more history on that later). The Vega was eventually returned to Adam, but in need of some major engine repair. Fast forward to November 2012 when we lost Vernon http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=20070130&postcount=29 Soon after that I asked Adam if there was anything that I could do for him? Adam said that what he really wanted now more then anything is to "get the Vega going again" So that is what I.........along with Adam and my good friend Charlie are going to do our best to accomplish. The first thing to do is head across the river to Washington to check out the Vega, motor and parts. Charlie and Adam going over the parts list...........what we have, what we need The block had already been re-sleeved (it had cracked cyclinder), crank re-ground, rods checked, new bearings, rings and seals and assembled by Adam....his first build :crossfingers The interior
Next up, Adam brought the motor and parts to my place and Charlie set up a work area to get started on it. Aluminum heads, roller rockers...........a lot of good stuff was used for this motor. The oil pan even had some custom work done to it.
Nice work In 1983 I was in high school and had a 1973 Vega GT with a 400 SBC in it. My parents and all the neighbors hated it
+1 I graduated in '89. And, all of the heavy-hitters either had a Vega or a Chevy II. Great story...great thread. I'm in. .
Depending on where you were at, at the time you may have. The Vega was raced at PIR and pretty much "owned" any car at the street races that used to take place at Lower River Road in Vancouver Wa in the mid 80's. After that the car lived in Merced Ca for a few years and put a lot of miles on the strip there.
I graduated* in 1976. And all the Heavy Hitters had a Vega or a Chevy II. In! * Actually, they said, "You've been here for four years. We think you should go now." .
Way back in the day I had a 62 Nova and put a 396 in it. No real mounts to hold it so I bolted log chain to the frame and block to keep it from twisting. It was the baddest around but there was a Vega from Ark. That would come race with us and that car was crazy fast in the day. We had a standing grudge I would win a few and he would win a few depending on what used tires we had on and other shit whe did. It was fun then The truck I drive every day would take them both no problem today but back then it was fun. Even a hillbilly could make a vette owner cry in his beer.
great thread, I think anyone who was into street or dragracing in the 70s knew someone or two who had a V8Vega. I knew of three round here. All were fast, and one was nasty fast, in the 9s at this altitude and still driven on the street weekends! That thing left the line harder than anything at the track too. Like it was shot out of a giant sling shot!!!
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I still remember him running from the law in it. At 130 these were floating, no road feel at all. Scary fast, and just plain scary. Remember using an ice scraper to peel the melted rubber off the quarters. My poor guardian angel. Had to be divine intervention, there is no other way. 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I didn't get to spend Fathers Day with my kids (one is busy with her new family, the other lives out of state), so I spent it with an old friends kid...............what a great tribute to to David to have his son work on his old Vega