1971 Vega LS1 Project

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Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby grandam75 » Wed Jul 24, 2013 6:38 am

Was out on the first real test drive yesterday. Of course I have some issues to take care of but overall I had a blast!
Attaching some pictures of the car almost completed. I still have some details to assemble, some interior items, wipers, the rear spoiler etc.
Since I have not been updating the assembly process at all here is a small summary. If anyone is interested in seeing pictures of something specific just let me know.

Interior:
Painted the tan panels black for now, I am still looking for nice factory black interior panels. Made new door panels since the old ones would not clear the cage. Covered the whole floor and cargo with carpet, had to sew the carpet at the back seat area to make it fit. Also had to cut the kick panels in 2 pieces to mount them..

Glass:
I was lucky to find NOS side windows and a NOS back window without defroster wires. Also installed a new windshield.
Flush mounted windshield and back window with urethane and a ¾” universal rubber seal. The fitment had to be spot on for the ¾” seal to cover the gap. For anyone interested in trying this I would recommend using a wider seal.. Also need to figure out how to cover the gap on the inside since the windows are further away from the pinch weld frame.

Details:
All bolts, brackets etc are new or zink plated. Even zink plated the whole door latches which turned out great. Painted the backup lights red and rewired for 4 taillights. Used the -73 vega emblem in the back.

Chassis:
I have some work to do here. Did an alignment but the adjustment possibilities are too small to get the camber and caster how I want it. The best I could do was 1 degree caster and ¼ degree camber.. Strongly considering replacing the upper control arms.
Need to figure out a good way to mount a rear sway bar.
The steering ratio is fast but not as extreme as I expected with the Appleton 3.0 and shorter steering arms. I believe the steering feel will be excellent ones I have the alignment corrected.

vega5 (Small).jpg

vega4 (Small).jpg

vega3 (Small).jpg

vega2 (Small).jpg

vega1 (Small).jpg
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Martin from Sweden..
1971 Vega hatchback

1975 Pontiac Grand Am
1971 Pontiac Lemans Convt
1965 Buick Wildcat Convt
1972 Pontiac Firebird
1993 BMW 740i
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Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby tinsfci » Wed Jul 24, 2013 7:28 am

Looks.... NICE!!!

:th: :th: :th: :dance: :dance:
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Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby Kenova » Wed Jul 24, 2013 9:47 am

:th:
Damn that looks nice. Excellent job Martin.

Ken
My other car is a Nova.
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Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby bbcowboy » Wed Jul 24, 2013 10:19 am

That is a sharp looking Vega, nice work!
Byron

Cosworth Vega #0756 (IMSA inspired CV)
Cosworth Vega #1044
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Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby jon72vega » Wed Jul 24, 2013 11:55 am

That looks very nice Martin!
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Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby BadBowtie » Wed Jul 24, 2013 1:40 pm

One of the cleanest looking vega's i have seen, plus you have an ls1... wayy jelous
James

1975 Vega GT sbc, Microsquirt w/Edelbrock MPFI, M21 4-speed and Ford 9"
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Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby cjbiagi » Wed Jul 24, 2013 2:08 pm

Done just how I like them, clean and simple ( and gray :lol: )
Clyde.........75 Monza 2+2
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Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby waybad » Wed Jul 24, 2013 8:09 pm

what is you final wheel and tire combo? looks killer,, you have done a great job!! and video's yet??
Tinker
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Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby NVEGAR8D » Wed Jul 24, 2013 10:07 pm

HI,
Sweeet !!!
nick75vega
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1975 Chevrolet Vega Hatchback

Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby gmagilla » Thu Jul 25, 2013 12:51 pm

I would like to see how you cut the kick panel , I was going to paint mine and put them in before I welded the tube going through the firewall but got ahead of myself and but the tube in first now I don't think I can get them in even cutting the vent section out and sliding it over or under the tube , I have several panels to cut to try and get them in but I may end up with the solid panels and no fresh air .
Your car looks killer and the windshield and hatch glass is a very nice way to do them , my trim is shot so I may be going that route with my windows :th: :th: :th:
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Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby vegastre » Thu Jul 25, 2013 10:56 pm

I had a blast!


I bet you are!!! Nice to have a sense of accomplishments and all the admiring looks you will be getting for years to come. As mention here before, members of this forum from all over the world are really turning out some style and quality all wrapped around some impressive H-Body builds. Great Pictures. Very understated color with almost a refined look.
Phil Kennedy~
72 Chevrolet Vega GT Hatchback
75 Pontiac Astre SJ Safari Wagon
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Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby grandam75 » Mon Jul 29, 2013 1:31 am

waybad wrote:what is you final wheel and tire combo? looks killer,, you have done a great job!! and video's yet??


Wheels are centerline convo pro and tires Toyo Proxes R888.
Rear: 15x8 225/50-15
Front: 15x7,5 205/50-15

gmagilla wrote:I would like to see how you cut the kick panel , I was going to paint mine and put them in before I welded the tube going through the firewall but got ahead of myself and but the tube in first now I don't think I can get them in even cutting the vent section out and sliding it over or under the tube , I have several panels to cut to try and get them in but I may end up with the solid panels and no fresh air .
Your car looks killer and the windshield and hatch glass is a very nice way to do them , my trim is shot so I may be going that route with my windows :th: :th: :th:


Posting a pic of the kick panel. I guess it depends on how the cage i built but this way worked for me.

Y1L0qMj (Small).jpg
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Martin from Sweden..
1971 Vega hatchback

1975 Pontiac Grand Am
1971 Pontiac Lemans Convt
1965 Buick Wildcat Convt
1972 Pontiac Firebird
1993 BMW 740i
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Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby avewhtboy » Mon Jul 29, 2013 11:16 pm

Wow nice job, any video of it running etc?
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Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby hotrodal » Thu Aug 01, 2013 3:41 am

Grate color very nice job you should be proud that is a beautiful car.
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Re: 1971 Vega LS1 Project

Postby waybad » Thu Aug 01, 2013 7:50 am

Thanks man,, it will be nothing like your engineered marvel :th:
Tinker
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