OT Old School Car people: 76 Cosworth Vega value

[SilverBullet2.5RS]

Originally Posted by SedonaScooby

.....I told him he needs to put some miles on it....even if it has sub 10K miles its still collectable (to the right person)

I disagree. I'm not saying let it sit around, but 3500 miles is kind of a big deal for any 35 year old car, not that 10k is high mileage, but it would likely make a big difference to a collector if he's planning on selling it, maybe even a few thousand difference.

If he's keeping it forever though, I'd drive it whenever possible, should be a fun car.

I'd say he could get $10k out of it, with that mileage, it is a Cosworth after all, and a GM vehicle, I'm sure there is someone out there who would die for this thing. I saw an '83 GTI sell for $10k a year or two ago, I'd say this could better that.

<----- Owns the other '70's american small car, '71 Pinto and some other old junk

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[HamFist]

It is the condition and mileage that makes it a big deal. That is probably one of the lowest mileage examples of that design that's even left. Some OCD eccentric types keep these things around for their families hoping they'll take care of it and/or know what to do with it later. Of those 1164 original models, you have what amounts to a unicorn.

There's an art to finding the right private buyer. What you have is THAT rare. Some love to restore it to original condition actually would increase the value. From what you say, you could eat off it anywhere on that chassis. Mint condition stock vehicles that are that old with THOSE low miles go to museums, private collectors, or auction blocks. Keep it if you can, but the market is indeed right to sell it in the right place. I'm not sure I'd even take the first $10k that came to me. It's not just the piece, but the position inherited as well.

[SedonaScooby]

Originally Posted by SilverBullet2.5RS

I disagree. I'm not saying let it sit around, but 3500 miles is kind of a big deal for any 35 year old car, not that 10k is high mileage, but it would likely make a big difference to a collector if he's planning on selling it, maybe even a few thousand difference.

If he's keeping it forever though, I'd drive it whenever possible, should be a fun car.

I'd say he could get $10k out of it, with that mileage, it is a Cosworth after all, and a GM vehicle, I'm sure there is someone out there who would die for this thing. I saw an '83 GTI sell for $10k a year or two ago, I'd say this could better that.

<----- Owns the other '70's american small car, '71 Pinto and some other old junk

ya i thought about it more later on in the thread, i agree with the keep it and drive it to not sell it OR keep it let it sit and gain value.

10k for a gti is NUTS


this car was said to go head to head with some special pinto that was made?

[SedonaScooby]

Originally Posted by HamFist

It is the condition and mileage that makes it a big deal. That is probably one of the lowest mileage examples of that design that's even left. Some OCD eccentric types keep these things around for their families hoping they'll take care of it and/or know what to do with it later. Of those 1164 original models, you have what amounts to a unicorn.

There's an art to finding the right private buyer. What you have is THAT rare. Some love to restore it to original condition actually would increase the value. From what you say, you could eat off it anywhere on that chassis. Mint condition stock vehicles that are that old with THOSE low miles go to museums, private collectors, or auction blocks. Keep it if you can, but the market is indeed right to sell it in the right place. I'm not sure I'd even take the first $10k that came to me. It's not just the piece, but the position inherited as well.

totally a unicorn...i told him that too. I told him its not about it NOT having a v8 or being a 'vette or some big named muscle car. Its all about the rare factor plus it does have a few of the "options" as well. The upgrade from the 4 speed manual to the 5 speed bog warner and a few other tid bits

its all about the right buyer for sure and getting a real appraisal on it. I think it might not be worth "much". 10k or more isnt bad for what it is...but down the road, with less then 5k original miles that car should be worth a decent penny to even a museum...hell maybe even cosworth or GM.

I'm stoked to see where the value and progress of this car goes

[SureGrap]

Originally Posted by PARANOID56

i would say maybe 5k. its a vega my buddy bought one a few years ago and i think thats about what he paid for that same car. i will ask him as hes Mr vega and owns around 15 of them now. all ranging from stock to all alu v8 to a turbo diesel

i sort of miss my 72 vega GT with a alu V8

My ex-wife had one when she was in HS....it had an oil leak and her Dad told her not to drive it...she took it to her Senior picnic and raced someone on the way there....the engine caught fire and melted the motor down....left a big black smoking crater in the engine bay.

[elucas730]

Been doing a little poking around on this
http://www.cosworthvega.com/

There is a story that looks to be 4 or 5 years old where they found an untitled Cosworth Vega with less than 1000 miles on it (but a low option car and not in pristine condition) and they pegged the price at around $6500. And this was near the height of the classic car craze. They also mention that one of the members bought one with twice the miles in better condition for $6250. As they mention, the car - especially by today's standards - is quite unremarkable, and you can't really expect these to appreciate much in value.

[PGT]

there's one near me....pretty much worthless as far as I could tell when I researched it awhile back after seeing it

[Garandman]

Originally Posted by SedonaScooby

wow really? only 5k for something that was such a limited run?? i know its no v8 i was just thinking more of the rareness of it.

i know OT hates subarus but its a damn cosworth engine...thats the coolness factor for me atleast

Sometimes cars are rare because they suck and no one buys them.....

Most Vegas recycled themselves. So even with a cool motor, it attracted little attention.

A friend of mine had a Lotus Cortina - a greatly breathed-upon Ford Cortina - and it was a fun car but if you listened carefully you could hear it depreciating.

[SilverBullet2.5RS]

Originally Posted by SedonaScooby

.....10k for a gti is NUTS.....

Maybe, but they're only original once, not many left after 25+ years of modding, crashes, rust. There might be 100 unrestored ones left, if that many.

I didn't sell mine, but what it was traded for would've roughly been $4k or so. Mine had over 100k on it, but was 100% original, still shiny 24 year old factory paint factory paint and all.

It's not a guarantee to get anywhere near that price, but the right car will bring it. A good friend an an '83 GTI identical to my '84 other than the paint being shot and some engine mods, he could barely give it away at $1500....

This was my '84



The $10k GTI had 29,000 miles on it, it sold for $10k too....

FS 1983 GTI, 29500 miles

[AugustusMaximus]

Try calling Barrett-Jackson or something if your expecting big money.
(i hate how they inflate values of the car they sell though)

[PGT]

Originally Posted by Garandman

Sometimes cars are rare because they suck and no one buys them.....

Most Vegas recycled themselves. So even with a cool motor, it attracted little attention.

DING! DING! DING! There's one on eBay now with a $2500 start and $3500 BIN. No bids.

My buddy has a Ford motor in a crate...the famous twincam from the Cortina and Lotus Super Seven. He says it's worth more than the cars alone.

[whoosh]

cosworth = good
body = rust bucket

[HamFist]

I still think it's the "original/low mileage" appeal that's working for it, mods or not. Stupid people blow up Subarus, too. That's nothing new.

Arguing aside, has the OP's friend driven the car at all?

[KingGalantVr4]

I'll give him $1,000 for the motor. He can keep the rest of the car.

[escos]

Originally Posted by SedonaScooby

1976 chevy cosworth vega...
...this car from the "muscle car" era only has a 4 cyli.

and it's a vega

[Dave D.]

Originally Posted by SedonaScooby

...this car from the "muscle car" era only has a 4 cyli.

You need to review your history, fella. The "muscle cars" were several years gone by 1976.

Oh, they still had the names like "Mustang," "Camaro," "Firebird," etc. but the muscle didn't really return until the '90's.

[SedonaScooby]

Originally Posted by Dave D.

You need to review your history, fella. The "muscle cars" were several years gone by 1976.

Oh, they still had the names like "Mustang," "Camaro," "Firebird," etc. but the muscle didn't really return until the '90's.

awesome input!







anyways, no he hasnt driven it yet, he just moved back home to Oregon so he should be soon. I guess its caged as well along with a few other mods he cant remember.

I'll get some new pics of the actual car and motor and interior soon hopefully. the car is nothing super cool, it is a special run of a vega with super low miles...thats all it has going for it. Well besides having a badass cosworth engine in it (for its time).

although under powered I read a lot online how the engine was far ahead of its time technology wise. One article said it'd be like putting a F1 engine in a Kia....not a compliment to the car really but the engine was pretty sweet. DOHC all aluminum "race" engine that was fuel injected was a unkown type thing back then in the Amerrricun world

I dont care nor know about vega's ( i know me some las vegas tho)

[Cosworth]

i hate them.

[shipjumper]

Originally Posted by rare

I thought this was going to be about the 190E

like this? (was mine)

[CosmoTheCat]

Originally Posted by SedonaScooby

but down the road, with less then 5k original miles that car should be worth a decent penny to even a museum...hell maybe even cosworth or GM.

I'm stoked to see where the value and progress of this car goes

Yes... call GM and see if they want to spend taxpayer money to put this thing in a museum.

$5k tops, unless you get Jay Leno to buy it.

[CarlEToast]

Go to this site, join, then ask the same question: http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/portal/index.php

[HamFist]

Originally Posted by CarlEToast

Go to this site, join, then ask the same question: http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/portal/index.php

^^This...

Go see what they say. Seriously. I'm curious, too. Is it a collectors item or not? This may depend more on the collector than the item.

[SedonaScooby]

Originally Posted by HoratioCaine

Yes... call GM and see if they want to spend taxpayer money to put this thing in a museum.

$5k tops, unless you get Jay Leno to buy it.

"the chin" has enough cars. he can F off


I see what you mean tho about GM...but there was a picture from 15 years ago at some GM museum with a Cosworth Vega parked out front. I'll find the link if i can........it was just a idea tho.

hell he'll probably never sell it (if he's smart)

[Cole]

Originally Posted by SedonaScooby

OH MY GOD IT HAS TWO CAMS!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SedonaScooby]

Originally Posted by Cole

OH MY GOD IT HAS TWO CAMS!!!!!!!!!!!!

bish its like a b20!!!!!!

well not really but it is a DOHC for a 4 cylinder that was the ish back then