Chevrolet Vega Review

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See also the main fact sheets for the Chevrolet Vega.

Design & Engineering

Introduced as the Vega 2300 September 10, 1970 its aluminum block inline-4 engine was a joint effort from General Motors, Reynolds Metal Corp. and Sealed Power Corp. GM purpose-built an advanced $75 million plant, Lordstown Assembly in Lordstown, Ohio to produce the Vega where 90 percent of the necessary welding was performed by high-tech unimate robots. Due to its "Modular Construction Design", a Vega sedan with 578 body parts had 418 fewer parts than its full-size Chevrolet counterpart. Modular Construction Design reduced the number of joints and sealing operations resulting in stronger, tighter bodies, effectively contributed to vehicle quality and made possible a very high rate of production. The Vega's body surface was the first accomplished completely through use of computers. Body surface information recorded on tape derived from the clay styling model, allowed computers to improve the body surface mathematically. Tapes developed through the computer were also used to control engineering drafting machines in producing master surface plates which were extremely accurate. All Vega models share the same hood, fenders, floor pan, door lower panels, rocker panel, engine compartment, and front end.

its suspension and live rear axle design, near ideal weight distribution, low center of gravity and neutral steering give the Vega handling characteristics that were praised by the automotive press. The overall chassis suspension was to be tuned to a new A78 x 13 tire that was being developed concurrently with the vehicle. The front suspension is classic General Motors short-and long-arm. The lower control arm bushings were actually larger than those of the Camaro. The four-link rear suspension copied that of the Chevrolet Chevelle, and coil springs are used throughout. This was a significant departure from the leaf spring suspension used in the Camaro and Nova. The Vega's brake system copied an exellant Opel Kadett design including solid rotors and a lack of a proportioning valve. The Vega's styling was judged conservative, clean-lined and timeless. GM styling studio's main influence was the 1967-1969 Fiat 124 Sport Coupe AC, and the Chevrolet Camaro/Corvette studio grafted a 1970 Camaro-like grill and Chevy-style dual tailights. Many service operations were intentionally designed so that they were able to be performed by Vega owners. To further that end, the "Do-It-Yourself" service manual was made available with each new Vega.

High Points

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Low Points

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Performance and Handling

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Gas Mileage

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Safety

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Reliability and Maintenance

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Interior and Comforts

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Exterior

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Styles and Options

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Main Competitors

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