Unlike many critics, I've always admired the Chevy Vega, especially in 2-door wagon form. It wasn't quite a true sportswagon but with a few available options came close. The Vega's Achilles Heel was its overhead-cam, all-aluminum engine, which is rather sad because it was a brave attempt on GM's part to develop an advanced 4-cylinder unit suited to a very stylish compact. In the beginning Chevrolet's John DeLorean had also asked England's famed Cosworth Engineering to develop a twin-cam performance version suitable for racing, however Cosworth soon discovered the block was prone to failure. Though they eventually got it up to 290 hp at 9000 rpm the company lacked the resources for further development and turned the project back to Chevrolet.
Eventually a Vega TC (more commonly called the Cosworth Vega) reached the showrooms but with an unexciting 110 hp, backed by a 4-speed manual transmission, firmer springs, sway bars front and rear, unique Alloy Wheels shod with radial tires, full instrumentation with gold-toned, engine-turned dashboard, and a dash plaque with a series number. The price was really unjustified, for it cost twice as much as a standard Vega. A limited production of 5000 was planned for 1975; only 2,061 were built that year and 1,447 the following year, such rarity now making it an affordable collectible. "BusinessWeek.com" offers a comprehensive article on the Cosworth Vega, including current values and what to watch for when buying.