Cosworth Vega!

[George Bojaciuk]

I couldn’t have been more thrilled to get the Cosworth wheels from Wylde Parnelle! I’ve been encouraging him to complete the package and do the engine. My ‘74 kit has been patiently waiting for decades! Today he sent me pic of the client who was first in line. I’d like to share that pic. As soon as I get one, I will do the details and commentary. This really is a thrill for a Vega guy! Brian Tompkins photo credit.

Edited December 19, 2021 by George Bojaciuk

[charger74]

WoW i will get one for sure

[Exotics_Builder]

Wheels and engine would a great start for that.  Definitely on my radar.  Now for decals, etc.

 

[George Bojaciuk]

Last guy to do decals was Keith Marks.

[afx]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Cosworth_Vega

[Straightliner59]

Well, now...

[cobraman]

Nice photo, I never saw any color other than black so that pic was kind of a surprise. Any other colors ?

[afx]

Don't know much about the Cosworth Vega but Cosworth also helped develop Ford's BDA engine. 

This engine is available in the Esci/Revell Ford Escort RS1800.  Looks like it could be modified to represent a Cosworth Twin Cam.

Here was my BDA after many scratch built additions.

 

Edited December 21, 2021 by afx

[Ace-Garageguy]

Interesting the resin guy elected to model the gawdawful "pulse air injection" manifold and EFI.

Of course, that's the way the cars came, so if you're building stock, I get it.

Thing is, every one of these I've ever seen that was owned by somebody who had a clue was converted to Weber side-draft carbs early in its life.

Edited December 21, 2021 by Ace-Garageguy
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

[Ace-Garageguy]

1 hour ago, afx said:

Don't know much about the Cosworth Vega but Cosworth also help develop Ford's BDA engine. 

This engine is available in the Esci/Revell Ford Escort RS1800.  Looks like it could be modified to represent a Cosworth Twin Cam.

 

That looks pretty good, but the headers don't come out the side of the block on a BDA, as represented there.

They come out of the head, naturally, at a shallow angle immediately under the coolant manifold/thermostat housing.

You can just see the studs for the header flange peeking out in this shot:

And more easily visible here:

Edited December 21, 2021 by Ace-Garageguy
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

[afx]

15 minutes ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

That looks pretty good, but the headers don't come out the side of the block on a BDA, as represented there.

They come out of the head, naturally, at about a 30 degree angle immediately under the coolant manifold/thermostat housing.

You can just see the studs for the header flange peeking out in this shot:

 

Agreed.  It's an error that Esci made that I chose not to correct as it would have involved scratch building headers.  I already invested much effort in other parts of the engine and the rest of the build.  I'm proud of the result.

[Ace-Garageguy]

1 hour ago, afx said:

... I'm proud of the result.

As well you should be, and I never meant to imply otherwise.

The header placement would only jump out at somebody intimately familiar with engines, and the Cosworth BD-series (initially derived from Ford's 1600cc "Kent-engine") in particular...like me.  

Edited December 21, 2021 by Ace-Garageguy
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

[Wylde]

not to dispute any comments above about my 3d printed resin model, I create what was offered by the manufacture and not what owners changed after they bought the car. I have done extensive research and what I have is factually correct as per what would have been in the car when purchased in 1975-76.

Edited December 21, 2021 by Wylde

[Ace-Garageguy]

1 minute ago, Wylde said:

not to dispute any comments above about my 3d printed resin model, I create what was offered by the manufacture and not what owners changed after they bought the car. I have done extensive research and what I have is factually correct as per what would have been in the car when purchased in 1975-76.

Pretty much what I said (quoting myself above): "Of course, that's the way the cars came, so if you're building stock, I get it."

[George Bojaciuk]

Ace:

In my neck of the woods, they were pushing Dellorto carbs. I had a GT. Between the carbs and manifold…and me being in college… a Lynx air cleaner for my GT was all I could afford! Lol! However, later came the small block, 12 bolt and 4 speed. In retrospect, a healthy choice! Many dealerships were ill-equipped to service the Cosworth.  I only knew of 2 that would even take one in for a tune up! Techs didn’t want to touch them.

[Ace-Garageguy]

30 minutes ago, George Bojaciuk said:

Ace:

In my neck of the woods, they were pushing Dellorto carbs. I had a GT. Between the carbs and manifold…and me being in college… a Lynx air cleaner for my GT was all I could afford! Lol! However, later came the small block, 12 bolt and 4 speed. In retrospect, a healthy choice! Many dealerships were ill-equipped to service the Cosworth.  I only knew of 2 that would even take one in for a tune up! Techs didn’t want to touch them.

Yeah, Dellortos are every bit as good as Webers. There's a pair of down-drafts on my 550 replica, and I have a pair of side-drafts looking for a home...maybe a 2.0 Neon?

A smallblock-powered Vega was something I always kinda hankered for. Musta been quick.  

I actually rather liked the little cars, but both of mine met unhappy ends at the hands of other drivers before I could do much with 'em.

Never had a Cosworth, but a couple of engineers at Lockheed here did.

[George Bojaciuk]

I was working at S&W Race Cars when I completed the car…it was my daily driver! 4 speed was a bit brutal. Later changed to a TH 350. Slingshot!

‘Glas fenders and hood. This would be about 1977. Bought the car new in ‘73.

 

Edited December 21, 2021 by George Bojaciuk

[George Bojaciuk]

5 hours ago, cobraman said:

Nice photo, I never saw any color other than black so that pic was kind of a surprise. Any other colors ?

1976 may have been the year for the most color choices… ‘

Do a Google image search. Blue, white,  green, orange…. Lot’s of food for thought!

‘74 was just black, as I recall. 1975 may have added the dark red….

[Ace-Garageguy]

Nice CAR.

Now you've got me wanting to build a real one again (wanting to...not that I ever did). I've got about all the parts, except for the Vega.

Time was you could buy 'em by the boxcar load for $100 each with bad engines, but those days are gone.  

[George Bojaciuk]

I could have had a Yenko Stinger Kammback with the turbo in the box! With a parts car for $150….. 

[keyser]

The 4 spoke gt wheels may work based off the Revell 240Z BRE/Haas race kit. Nice American 4 spokes, not the Libre in the 510, I can’t recall name. They’re small but trim ring would fix perhaps. Best pic I could find is these 1:1 but they’re exactly what’s in kit. 

[rickcaps55]

On 12/19/2021 at 2:03 PM, George Bojaciuk said:

I couldn’t have been more thrilled to get the Cosworth wheels from Wylde Parnelle! I’ve been encouraging him to complete the package and do the engine. My ‘74 kit has been patiently waiting for decades! Today he sent me pic of the client who was first in line. I’d like to share that pic. As soon as I get one, I will do the details and commentary. This really is a thrill for a Vega guy! Brian Tompkins photo credit.

Nice i have the MPC kit and the Keth Marks decals it's been sitting for 15 years now were and how do i get the motor and wheels. Please.!!!

[Exotics_Builder]

2 hours ago, George Bojaciuk said:

I was working at S&W Race Cars when I completed the car…it was my daily driver! 4 speed was a bit brutal. Later changed to a TH 350. Slingshot!

‘Glas fenders and hood. This would be about 1977. Bought the car new in ‘73.

 

Nice!!!

 

[monza77]

Owning a 1977 Monza I always thought they should have put the Cosworth in the Monza. I know why they put it in the Vega but it would have been a nice option for the slightly sportier Monza. I am always on the lookout for a Vega wagon or Gt to go with my other orphan cars. Faust likes kits of oddball unloved cars , unfortunately I have a habit of buying fullscale GM oddballs. Also, where can I get the conversion pieces?

[George Bojaciuk]

You can message Wylde Parnelle for more info. He posted in this thread.

After the Vega, I had a’79 Monza 2+2. Since I was still involved with performance parts, it got a Holley carb and manifold.