Posted on Facebook by Richard Steman. Well much to my sadness it is time to let #2226 go. To start on another project. I have done alot and i do mean ALOT of work to this car. It will be turn key and will come with a complete extra motor that is cleaned and ready for assembly.Just a few things i've done to this car include converting the cable clutch to hydraulic,it has the fiero pump in the tank,new tires,all new trailing arms and rear sway bar,all new interior and carpet,LED lights through out,projector headlights with gold halo's. I think the car is worth $9500 so that is where i'm going to start,i will post some detailed pics later today.here are a few.

CV #2227 Bring A Trailer Auction Listing 6-28-2024 VIN SWAPPED!!!!!!!!!!!
This 1976 Chevrolet Vega wears Cosworth serial number #2,227, and it has been modified with a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The car is finished in metallic brown with black stripes and rides on 17″ Budnik wheels mounted over front disc and rear drum brakes. Further equipment includes tubular headers, an aluminum radiator, a polished intake pipe and valve covers, and a rear spoiler, while the cabin is outfitted with black vinyl upholstery, Vintage Air air conditioning, and a Sony CD stereo. Acquired by the selling dealer in 2024, this modified Vega is offered with a clean Arizona title listing the car as a 1975 Cosworth Vega.


The car is finished in metallic brown with black stripes and Yenko decals as well as a rear spoiler, body-color mirror housings, LS3 badges, and chrome bumpers with black impact strips.

Polished 17″ Budnik alloy wheels are mounted with Delinte Thunder D7 tires. Braking is provided by front discs and rear drums.

The front bucket seats and split rear seats are upholstered in black vinyl, and amenities include a leather-trimmed dashboard, a cueball shift knob, Vintage Air air conditioning, and a Sony CD stereo.

The four-spoke steering wheel fronts a machine-turned dashboard fascia that houses a 7k-rpm tachometer, a 120-mph speedometer, and auxiliary gauges. The five-digit odometer shows 59k miles, less than 1k of which are said to have been added since the completion of the build.

A plaque affixed to the dashboard identifies the car as Cosworth Vega #2,227.

The 6.2-liter LS3 V8 is equipped with a polished intake pipe and valve covers along with an aluminum radiator with dual electric fans.

Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission that is said to be equipped with high-performance clutch components. Fabricated headers flow to a dual exhaust system.

The car is titled using VIN 1V77B5U218677, which is shown above, and listed as a 1975 Cosworth Vega. The matching Body by Fisher plate is shown in the gallery .
Video Gallery

LS3-Powered 1975 Chevrolet Cosworth Vega 5-Speed

Hello @elcaminofan, @everyone, @all
Hello to all the and THE FINAL VERDICT IS IN !!
Based on the recommendations I went back to the DMV enforcement group today to specifically discuss the “missing VIN” or Partial Non Theft vin number. In any event the enforcement agents have books of hidden vins, so we looked at the shock tower and there is a recently disturbed area where there is a partial vin that is visible. Regardless of the PARTIAL vin, it does NOT match the Title. They say that both dash vin and the Body Fisher tag appear exactly original and unmolested. Body by fisher tag coincides with the dates built. However in order to satisfy any doubt and to ensure no problems for buyer in registering the car ANYWHERE IN THE US they have suggested to let them issue a Arizona State assigned VIN. I GLADLY ACCEPTED THEIR RECCOMENDATION. An end to the means !!
All in All I am getting a complete new Arizona state assigned VIN TAG on the vehicle and New 1975 CHEVROLET VEGA NON-BONDED TITLE as nothing warrants any concern. So any buyer can rest assured regardless of the slander of others that this car is legit and there will be no issues registering in any state. The Enforcement agents also noted that they also ran the dash vin and the partial vin and neither one have any negative history or background.
The shock tower partial vin is only a partial and since the dash vin and data plate appear to be unmolested there is not enough concern to even mandate a bonded title. This 1975 vega is now getting a CLEAN AZ ASSIGNED VIN # AND TITLE, Partial is the key word here.
If the car was rebodied or RE-VIN’D or anything else ? it was not by my hand and the enforcement officers said that I am the victim. I bought the car and the title was for the VIN on the dash and the title listed the car as a 1975. I only did cosmetic upgrades to this car and any malfeasance was done well before the time I owned the car.
MOST IMPORTANTLY AND # 1 I lowered the reserve on this car. I AM GOING TO KEEP MY WORD AND HONOR MY LOWERED RESERVE $$. Last but not least !! Photo of new Az assigned 1975 Chevrolet vega vin and title will be posted before the end of the auction AND THATS THAT !!!!
Thank you all and i am not proud of being the UNDISPUTED 2024 BAT RECIPIENT OF THE DRAMA AWARD !!!
lol HAHAHAHAHAH

ou’ll note that in the area where the VIN is entered, there’s a HINT that all 1975’s have a fifth digit engine code “E” after the 77, all 1976’s will have engine code “O”. The decoder ignores any letter you enter assuming it to be either an “E” or “O” which designates the 122ci EFI Cosworth Engine. Don’t believe me? Put any letter you wish into the fifth digit and you’ll get the exact same message you pictured. Your car’s fifth digit is a “B” meaning VIN plate and body tag came from a 1975 Vega equipped with the 140ci 2bbl. If you use their body tag decoder you’ll receive an error message stating it is NOT a Cosworth. Further, your body tag has color code 33 Dark Yellow. ALL 1975 Cosworths were 19 Black. Every indication is that the car is a ’76. Quite possibly Cosworth 2227 as indicated by the dash plate. The CVOA registry lists the VIN for that car as 1V77O6U163165.
As you bought the car in CA allow me to speculate. In CA bi-annual smog checks are required in most counties for 1976 and newer cars. No checks are required of 1975 and older cars. Engine swaps for the smog controlled cars are allowed given very tight constraints and when they are the car must have a certificate issued by a CA Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) Referee. I somehow don’t think swapping a Cosworth engine for an LS3 would qualify. To get around this requirement the CA owner or fabricator took the VIN and body tag from a random ’75 Vega and swapped them into the 1976 Cosworth. Like magic, no referee cert required, no smog required. If you’re inclined to confirm, as an anti-theft measure the last six digits of the VIN is stamped into each front fender’s lip that can be seen when the hood is opened.
VEGA_BODY_CODES (poustusa.com)
Body Tag Decode Chart | CVOA Website (cosworthvega.com)
Decode Body Tag | CVOA Website (cosworthvega.com)

the title should not say “Cosworth” on it at all. It should just say Chevrolet and maybe Vega or Two Door Hatchback, not Sedan as you mentioned. I have never seen a title from any state simply say “Cosworth” on it.
2) a true 1975 Cosworth Vega VIN would start with 1V77E5U… a 1976 Cosworth Vega VIN would start with 1V77O6U… the 1= made in USA, V= Vega 77= hatchback, E or the O designates the Cosworth package.
The VIN on this car has a “B” as the 5th digit, which means 2 barrel carb 140 engine. A Regular Vega.
3) the transmission crossmember bolt holes. They go in from the underside, which is correct for a 76′ body. On a 75′ body, the bolts actually run parallel with floor pan. Because of this I’m thinking, hoping, the car is most likely a re-VIN’d CV #2227.
4) 1975 Cosworth Vegas Body tags, on line 2, you would only have 19L and 19U, the 19 is the color code of the exterior. The body tag on this car has 33L and 33U which is dark yellow. ‘75s were available ONLY in black.
5) the Cosworth Vega Registry just advised me the true VIN for Cosworth #2227 is 1V77O6U163165.
Again, I’m really trying to be nice and non-judgmental by not pointing the finger, but the car is in no way a ‘75 Cosworth. Never was, never will be.

#2227

According to Duke Williams' December, 1995 Regional Newsletter, this car belonged to Gerald Slater of Thousand Oaks.?

Every CV tells a story. Some have racing pedigree. This particular CV #2236 was driven by Lyn St. James back in the late 70's. Unfortunately, the history of the car was uncovered after the car was recently parted out. But, none the less, the story of this car has been revealed. I first learned of Lyn St. James driving a CV during the San Francisco, CA Roundup a few years back. Bryan Pridmore had actually been at the Blackhawk Museum when Lyn St. James spoke to a group and one of the slides was a Cosworth she had driven. (imagine his shock!) the only real info that was available was that the car was a 76', Black Exterior, with a White interior. I've been curious where the car ended up, but no one had any real info.

Fast forward to two months ago when Tim Coughlin in LA bought a parts car out of the Dallas, TX area. The car was in bad shape, and in evidence he fround while parting the car out, he noticed it was raced, maybe even semi professionally. the Hot Texas Sun baked into the faded paint the #48, and a few other stickers from the car's past. Also, while pating it out, he found some "Cheater" options on the car, roll cage was once installed, the bumper leaf srpings had been trimmed from 3 leafs to just 1. The cam sprockets had been machined to adjust the timing of the cams.

Tim told me about the car, mentioned it may have had a woman driver at time from what the previous owner told him. So Tim contacted Clark Kirby who lives in the Dallas area, a CVOA Hall Of Fame Member and former Regional Director of the CVOA from the early 80's. Unfortunately, Clark did not have any information on the car, or the remember the name of a former owner. So the fate of the car was apparently sealed, and the car was cut up and scrapped, Tim saving a few useable parts for himself.

Tim then sold the dash plaque on ebay, and a former CVOA Member Barry Connally bought the dash plaque. He got in contact with Tim, asked about the car, any details etc. Well, it turns out Barry's dad was in the Dallas area in the late 70's and ran in the same circles with Lyn St. James! Barry remembered the car was #48, and the #48 was burned into the Hatch! Barry asked if there were any other distinguishing marks, and Tim told him about tthe Autodyne on the back panel, the Goodyear stickers on the bumpers, etc. Through the auto archeology, it is confirmed, this car, #2236, was in fact the car Lyn St. James drove! You can even make a faint "Lyn" on the door burned into the paint!

What a discovery! CVs were known to have some success in local and regional SCCA Club racing in the late 70's and early 80's (even into the 90's autocrossing) It just goes to show, some CVs are still out there, waiting to have their story told! And, with the CVOA resources, historians, and some lucky conversations, a car's history can still be uncovered! Who knows what CV will turn up next!

Posted on CVOA Facebook Page by Barry Connelly.
It appears that #2236 was the Cosworth Vega driven by Lyn St.James in SCCA - SSA class in the 70's. The car was a 76 Black with white interior, showed signs of a roll bar installation and had the # 48 rusted into the rear hatch. It also had a goodyear sticker on the rear bumper and "autodyne" above the rear "Cosworth Twin Cam" decal.

This Cosworth had definitely seen a lot!

RIP by Tim Coughlin in Louisiana.

CVOA Membership Record
Owner- Mike Rayborn
12660 CR 267
Buffalo, TX 75831
903-322-5189

VIN- 1V77O6U163543

Black/ White Vinyl Interior

*claims engine is stuck. Looking to get to someone who may be able to fix

Jim Knight in TX back in 05

Listed for sale at auction in Palm Springs, CA. V-8 Conversion, 5 lug. Painted Medium Saddle.

CVOA Membership Record
Owner- Leon Ekery
10880 Dyer St.
El Paso, TX 79934
915-821-1300
ccparts@whc.net

VIN - 6U163612

DAN MCNALLY M 01-Sep-10 3
7248 SHANNON ROAD VERONA, PA 15147 (412) 389-3433
2240 6UXXXXXX 26MI (2) 0137 5U199636 100K+

I owned 0045 in 1980 and currently own 2248 which is in poor condition.
E-mail sent by Karl Owens

Post on CVOA Facebook by Karl Owens:
Parting out #2248. 1976 5 speed. 5 wheels. 5 speed. I assume 4.10 Posi Traction Everything available except engine. Not looking to get rich or give stuff away.

CVOA Membership Info
Owner- David Mortenson
1705 Bent Tree CT.
Granbury, TX 76049
805-312-0801
Dave_Mortneson@hotmail.com

John Russo in Iowa now owns car. Looking to get car back up and running.

Wyatt Watkins owns it in Osceaola Iowa.
Cosworth Vega 2254 still exists thinking about selling since it ain't worth nothing lol.

the vin is 1v77O6u164180. It's on a salvage title . My grandpa bought it back in the 80 s from the salvage auction in Kansas City it was hit hard in the ass end. He owned a body shop .So the back half of the car is a regular Vega.

Currently listed on Facebook group by a Johnny Picker. Car is in good shape, still has original BR70 R13 rims on it. White interior is a little faded. Car looks in good condition. Has approx. 9,000 miles on the odometer. Johnny Picker says owner passed away, estate is looking to sell for approx. $8,000.

Owned by Jim Martin, Nashville, TN 5157 Regent St. - old photo from Bob Maloy

I have a 1976 Chevrolet cosworth Vega $27,000 MI manual transmission Cosworth 4 cylinder motor in great condition runs and drives great collector car $20,000 numbered plate #2260 message me for other information no low ballers no codes no cashier's check pick up in Lowell Indiana thanks for looking!

Listed by a Chevy Kenny in Lowell, IN on Facebook Marketplace 4-16-2023

Owned by Wayne Carini. 864 Original Miles Black/ Black Vinyl 4 speed. Listed for sale on his F40 Motorsports Website for $29,500.

Owned by According to CVM62, this car was owned by Bill Perdock of Washington, IA.

Facebook post 9/22/2021- Now owned by Ronnie Graham near Tulsa, OK

Owned by James Sprouse in Princeton, TX. Car is listed in Poor condition. Black exterior/ Black vinyl interior. Listed as having a 5 speed.

Now owned by Matthew Kennedy in Midland MI

I have number 2277. I sent in a request to have the ownership transferred to me. I bought the car around the end of last year out of California. It has around 15K original miles. I have previously owned #202 and #761 about 30 years ago. I have tried to locate who owns those cars recently, but very excited to own a Cosworth Vega once again.
From Matthew Kennedy