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I remember when i was a teen all the neigborhood mechanics helping each other to build their cars Vegas, Mustang II, jeeps, i really miss those days that neighbors were like family.

When I was a kid, V8 Vega's and Monza's were the ultimate. This is a beauty example.

@AutotopiaLA

6 ай бұрын

I remember those days too

@Jeezey

6 ай бұрын

Don’t forget the 302 Pintos & Bobcats… haha

@YukonDemon

6 ай бұрын

I had a Mustang II with a built 302 in it. Ugly little car but it was insanely fast.

@robertgambino6966

6 ай бұрын

Somebody in highschool Had one He gave me a ride Never forget Very fast and Very scary Still like looking Them up in Hemmings

@thomaspepper2201

6 ай бұрын

I had the exact year she's driving with a built 350, I put 3 windsheilds in it because hook up tork twisted the car and it would crack the same way every time. Car cost me 1500.00 , it custom painted, all there, clean none ripped interior. It was a fun daily driver. Oh the memory of old days hot rods.

We put a 350 out of a friends wrecked Nova into a 73 Vega. Did awesome on cruise nights but if you floored it, it went everywhere but straight 😂

@demarques1911

6 ай бұрын

I can't imagine what a 454 would do

@user-jo8qw6qn9h

6 ай бұрын

Sounds like it needed a lot of suspension and underdrive work.

@sergeantmasson3669

6 ай бұрын

@@demarques1911 Our shop, I/we put a built 454 into a Vega wagon using a tubular chassis.

@Michaelobama184

6 ай бұрын

​@@sergeantmasson3669you can stuff 454 cubic inches into a small block if you use a Dart block

@jameshendrickson8159

5 ай бұрын

Vega, the smart mans maverick...

The Baby Camaro! ...Frickin' Love It! 🤩😋

Nice car hope the owner gets better so he can enjoy it.

Back in the 80’s back yard V8 Vegas were the baddest of bad ass.

my opinion, that is hands down the best car you have had on the show, not overdone ,can drive it anywhere,the shop did it right and held it true to its roots

To the owner. Get well soon. To the driver. You are an excellent driver. What a perfect show. Thank you!!!

I had a 73 V8 Vega, It had a worn out 327 when I bought it for 8 or 900 bucks it had the stock Saginaw 4 speed. The rear lower control arm bushings were worn out, which made for some unexpected handling issues while accelerating or braking like abrupt lane changes. Unwanted rear steer, basically. I had 5 different engine combinations and three different transmissions, ending with a glide and a 383 stroker with Dart 220 heads on pump gas. It weighed 2550lbs without me in the car. The best time at Bandimere Speedway 5800 ft. Elevation was 11.15, @ 123mph with 26 inch tall drag radials, 4.11 gears, and stock suspension, foot braked. It was black with white stripes on the hood and hatch. On the street going down hill in high gear at 45mph, it would smoke the tires whenever the go pedal was smashed. Even 25 years ago, people had to ask me what kind of car it was. One guy asked me if it was an Opel, and another asked me if it was a Pinto. Thanks for posting this. It brought back some fond memories.

I think the Vega is one of the dopest looking drag racing platforms you can find. They just look like they don't quite know the difference between right and wrong, like a pirate!

@maksymlapin5751

6 ай бұрын

Probably) But number one - Ford Maverick) 🚀

@mikeh.753

6 ай бұрын

Kinda looks like a small Camaro.

@user-jo8qw6qn9h

6 ай бұрын

@@maksymlapin5751 Is that because they were a lot lighter than they looked?

I had my music studio next to Bones' shop for 18 years, tell him Chris from Cessation Of Life said hello!

No grief given to the pretty lady, she did great, I wouldn’t beat the shit out of anyone else’s car either especially something like that with sentimental value.

@MotersickleBum

6 ай бұрын

nonsense.... if this car can't take ONE no-brake burnout then it's a pos.

@user-jo8qw6qn9h

6 ай бұрын

@@MotersickleBum You know sometimes you can just hear and see a car and know it is simply just a bad ass, without having to prove it is every time you take it out for a spin. I know with my built C6 vette that's about 700 hp Sometimes I just love to take it for just a cruise and just enjoy driving it. But it wasn't her car and she was being very respectable, I'd let her drive my vette and not worry that she was going to beat the shit out of it. You I wouldn't even let you sit in it. lol

@sergeantmasson3669

6 ай бұрын

@minnesotatomcat, she didn't beat on the car either.

This is easily one of my favorite episodes. Really makes me want a vega. I was really hoping for a little launch, but I understand why she didn't

@AutotopiaLA

6 ай бұрын

I was hoping for the same and I understand all too well driving others peoples rides

Always loved the Vegas because it was my first car to drive. They are rare nowadays. Always wanted to swap in a V8 especially after seeing some at Englishtown Raceway, but sadly ours pretty much rusted away the day it came off the assembly line - northeast weather is the worst for car collecting. Really nice to see another generation being exposed to the fun of the 70s and I wish her all the best in her future endeavors. Keep ‘em coming, Shawn!

@AutotopiaLA

6 ай бұрын

This build is really cool and it’s gonna be fun to see where her career in this biz goes

Thanks for putting on your seatbelt!! She's gorgeous, the car is gorgeous and you're gorgeous!

@AutotopiaLA

6 ай бұрын

Thanks! And I do have a great love more than ever for harnesses

Love cars like this. Realistic builds with throwback feel.

That’s so cool Old school new school

@AutotopiaLA

6 ай бұрын

Very cool

1:17 Just when I was wondering if the doggo would be at the shop he waddles through the video out of nowhere. Perfect

Man, does this car take me back to the days when Pro-Street was the biggest thing in Street Machining…everyone was building a Pro-Street car. Big inch blown motors always with way too much carburettor (like dual 1050 Holleys!), 15x15 Weld Wheels with Mickey T’s put back, 15 x 3.5 up front, tubs and wheelie bars. They were sooooo friggin’ cool and this car is a proper hat tip to the movement. Love it and love the quality execution and enthusiasm from Jim! What a top bloke 🙌🏼😊❤️

@AutotopiaLA

6 ай бұрын

I remember those days as well and love what they did with this one

Really a great looking little Vega pocket rocket bad ass Hopefully the owner recovers enough to be able to drive it get well 🫡😎🤙

Great video, as always. It was always cool in the 70's to see Vegas and Pintos with swapped in v-8s in So. CA. They all were unique. Some had a v-8 swapped and kept the stock suspension, 4 lug wheels, drum brakes and stock rear end. At the other end big block v-8's were installed with a tubbed rear end and a full race suspension. A lot were installed using bolt-in kits. I miss those days.

@AutotopiaLA

6 ай бұрын

Thank you and really cool to see proper built Vega

Great car and great interview, I love that you are interviewing the builders

Now you're going to make me look for Vegas. Cool, different build. Also, I agree that it's nice to see a female directly involved in builds.

This should be fun Thanks in advance for another video 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 3:03 Wait what😳 3:43 WHAT POWER ADDERS👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Wicked little Vega. 😎👍 They were everywhere when I was growing up. A V-8 version was a rarity. Thanks for sharing

My car was nothing near this but I miss my Vega

Shawn I would expect anyone I let drive my 22yr build C10 to respect it. No brainer. I watch all you vids and alot of what you have said, like side exhaust. That is exactly what I felt and did to my C10. Yours and my old school passion is alike thus my like for your channel. Great stuff!!!

Some of you may remember Pro/Stocker Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins from the early '70's who use to win a lot of races with a Vega.

The Vega is my favorite car in the world.... it's the original tuner car.... Vega rules!!!!

As always a bad ass ride and cool video , but the young ladie driven that fine ride is incredible and my hat is off to great young ladie

@AutotopiaLA

6 ай бұрын

I hear ya! She’s a special one for sure

@thatchmo6242

6 ай бұрын

There's hope for the next generation afterall.

Hey its really cool to know she is all about cars! Doing the grunt work, and working her way up! Way COOL! Did a great job driving to! Really like the Vega!! PEACE ✌️

@theodoricdodgeville1132

5 ай бұрын

At 12 she pointed out 3 generations of mustangs next to each other on the freeway. As her dad, I teared up!! LOL. Super proud of my girl!!!

Sunday cruise anyone 😂 love it...when he's saying that's perfect when normally person be doing a sweet burnout or taking off hard he said perfect but she's just cruising 😂 🤙

@AutotopiaLA

6 ай бұрын

I understand being mild with someone else’s ride. Would’ve loved some hard pulls but I get it

@jaysworld2893

6 ай бұрын

@@AutotopiaLA Yes sir you definitely wanted it... that's why you were kind of hinting like this is a pretty quick right... We all knew you were trying! I just thought it was funny how respectful you were being about going slow 🤣 love it! There's being respectful slow and then there's just being slow 🤙😜 👊 Keep this up it will be you one day showing all your million dallor cars 💪❤️😎

Beautiful build but as an old school hot rodder an LS under the hood just leaves me flat. I know it makes great power and is very streetable but LS’s just are so under hood bugly. An awesome Pro Street Vega like this deserves a big block with a thumping cam.

@AutotopiaLA

6 ай бұрын

They’re not pretty but I have no issue with an LS personally

@danmyers9372

6 ай бұрын

@@AutotopiaLA- I don’t disagree with you on that Shawn. A cars under hood was OG man jewelry and an LS just doesn’t cut it. 😉

Dang I love that Vega. Nicest one around. LS even. Sydney is one awesome and beautiful young lady.😊

I appreciate the fact that she was respectful of another person's property. It showed that the car could cruise reliably. It looks like a well built hot rod. Many years ago, my friend's older brother had a Vega wagon. I believe that it was a 72. It had a hot 327, 4-speed Muncie, and a built rear end. For a while it was one of the fastest street raced cars in Houston.

@AutotopiaLA

6 ай бұрын

Would love to do some good pulls and I get being chill with someone else’s ride

So glad!!! To see, a girl, enjoy it's drive!!! First time on this channel?? 👍🏻✨✨Congrats!!!

@AutotopiaLA

6 ай бұрын

It’s her first time and hopefully we shoot more with her

Man, I remember these back in the day! Used to see 'em a lot in Philly on Delaware Ave, JFK, and Front Street when I was a teen. They'd punch out the firewalls and drop big V-8's in them and drag race on Friday & Saturday nights. Fun times. Sydney's cool af and has a good crew to learn from there.

That car is amazing and I never thought about the Vega's being such a scarcity until you pointed it out. It really got me to thinking about it and I have probably seen 15 of them in (KY) since I was younger and now in my mid 40's probably haven't seen one in 10 years or better.

@AutotopiaLA

6 ай бұрын

This is the first one I’ve seen in years!

@user-jo8qw6qn9h

6 ай бұрын

@@AutotopiaLA I think because in over 50 years they just found there way to the car graveyard. 🪦 ⚰

Love the car, and the cool girl running it!

Cool ride and story about how she came up working @ the shop. You go girl, props!!!

@AutotopiaLA

6 ай бұрын

And she’s deep in it at this point

done right 👍

good driving Sydney. they should make the steering column adjustable, or give Sydney a booster seat or some blocks on the pedals haha sweet ride

She's a badass.😊 Sweet Vega.

Vegas are so underrated and so cool. My dad bought one new for around 2 grand back in the day. Puke green with plaid interior.

I remember reading in Hot Rod magazine in the 70s that a V8 Vega outran a Georgia State Patrol officer by going in excess of 165 mph

Beautiful work

Great Vega Sean. Much respect for a customers car. Beautiful build….👍🏾

I just turned 60 years old and my first car was a turquoise blue Vega, GT 1971 and you’re right a lot of people don’t know what they are anymore! The mini Camaro! But actually a factory Vago weighs 2275 pounds with a four-cylinder

My Wife bought the 2+2 Chevy Monza 265 V-8 in 1975. Loved that Car, It was in a wreck. gone forever.😔

Great build. Brings me back to my 1st car. Was looking at a '67 Camaro back in '74, decent shape for about $800. The old man put a stop to that quick, said I found something for you. It was a '72 Vega GT hatchback with 4 speed. At a little over 12,000 miles it spent a month at the local Chevy dealership waiting for a replacement engine block. There were a few V8 Vegas around, wanted to do mine, and I spent many a weekend at Raceway Park in Englishtown watching these run.

I appreciate the fact that it's NA. Seen enough boosted cars.

As a kid, I wanted to build a 383 Vega wagon or a Monza. This car exceeds my imagination in every way!

@user-jo8qw6qn9h

6 ай бұрын

I think the same type of build on a Vega wagon would look awesome!

Blast from the past,awesome car! Spent a lot of days at pick n pull looking for Vega parts.

Cool, good to see some sidewall for once ,and nicely handled by Steak ,n, Kidney .

Looks like a fun Car to run errands around town in, stomp on the Throttle, do some Burn Outs and put it back in the Garage.

My first car was a 74 Vega GT. I had dreams of building it into a hot rod but never did. A guy I worked for years later had a Vega with a blown 454 in it. The first time at the track. It launched so hard it bent the wheelie bars. Bad Ass isn't even a good enough description for that car. The potential for them or the Chevy Monza is ridiculous. If you can find one worth doing anything with. It's right there with a Willy's or a Henry J. When I was a kid. Light weight high horse power equals huge fun.

@AutotopiaLA

6 ай бұрын

Sounds like he had a monster Vega

I bought a '76 roller for $300 back in '95. We found a wrecked Buick T-Type in a junkyard and scored the long block from it for $150. I stuck a carburetor on it and we bolted the motor in. It was an incredibly fun car to drive, especially in the mountains because it was lowered and rode and handled better than most sports cars. I traded it a couple of years after, and it eventually was totaled in an accident. It wasn't the prettiest car on the road by a longshot, but man that car sure was fun.

I had a friend that had one with a 396,black we with flames

@AutotopiaLA

6 ай бұрын

Badass

Parents bought one new in '76 (red on red 4 cylinder 3 speed) and like Jim said it rotted itself into the ground within 7 years....

I love this channel! Sema cars to drag cars. The variety is off the chain.

@AutotopiaLA

6 ай бұрын

Thank you! Always trying to show great American customs

This was great. I remember being like 4 or 5 going to a car show with my old man and the first car that ever caught my eyes was a big block Vega. You don’t ever see them anymore which is too bad. Really cool car. I’m 40 for reference.

@AutotopiaLA

6 ай бұрын

Never see them anymore and this one is awesome!

I built a Vega with a 375 HP small block in 1983 and it was a beast it ate 5.0 mustangs and a 454 Chevelle ....truely cool hot rods!

I absolutley LOVE V8 Vegas, and this one, especially!!

I had a Vega that looked like this one. It was my 1st vehicle. A cousin gave it to me. I had to do some work to get it road worthy. It was a 73 and it was dark green. I repainted it Gloss Black. I had dreams of putting a small block in it but never got it done. I ended up trading it off for a 75 Chevy halfton pickup.

Great Vega early see them anymore back in the day me and my buddy put a big block in the 71Vega panel wagon 4speed we Twisted it bad the doors went open and close anymore what did we know we were teenagers have a great day thanks for the inspiration

I f**kin love it. I had a friend that had Bad-Assed Vega. It was a 73 Panel wagon with a 440 and a huge cam. I dig it

I remember buying a 75 Vega with the hopes of slipping in a V6, just for street use. I shoulda realized something was up when it was what you’d call re-sale Red, but the king daddy topper was when we were out for a drive and I heard my young son riding in the back say, “daddy I can see the road thru the floor”. Needless to say that ended my Vega dream, but I did get my money back after some Legal threats considering the vehicle was “safetied”. This Vega here is a monster.

Good story, cool build, great driving that's what it's all about! ;)

@AutotopiaLA

6 ай бұрын

Agreed

'72 Vega Don Hardy kit ( remember those) 4:10 12 bolt . 355 cu.in .Chevy / .500 lift lunati cam , Turbo 350 with 2500 stall converter. 255/60/ 15 rear tires. Disc brake front end. We had a Lot of fun on the streets with this in North Carolina ( east coast). It ran 8. 20's in th 1/8 mile . A street car back in the day !!!

Brings back memories I was in high school from 74 to 78 an automotive shop class we finished putting a 327 Corvette engine 1969 HT block special high performance 350 horsepower in a Vega wagon. In 1976 I bought a 1970 Oldsmobile 442 it had 49000 miles and mint condition for $800 off my drafting teacher and the same year my buddy picked up a 1969 super bee 383 pistol grip mint condition for $900 people were selling the muscle cars cheap because of the gas wars from the early 70s

One BAD ASS MACHINE!!!

Those rear tires 🤣 people might not know what it is but they’ll be leery of lining up against it!

Watching your content makes me happy I can't wait to get my 73 back out there

@AutotopiaLA

6 ай бұрын

Thanks and get it rolling!!

Vegas & Vegan Wagons are awesome cars to modify like this one… light chassis, 4 Link, etc. Great for drag racing !

I always thought that the Vega looked like a smaller Camaro. Very cool car😊

@noiisserpmii

6 ай бұрын

& mav being the baby stang. Same ideology

@AutotopiaLA

6 ай бұрын

I’ve heard that a bunch and now I see it too

@lukasgarage956

6 ай бұрын

​@@noiisserpmii.....we had a guy in my hometown that made his into a split bumper looked way cool

Where I grew up in San Jose California there was this baby blue Vega that used to do wheelies. Effing legendary car back then. Nice whip Lil sista 🤘

I always thought of the Vega as the Camaro's little brother. My dad worked for GM and was doing some research on the Cosworth Twin Cam Vega. That's when I started liking the Vega.

Built a 70 vega with my bro(he passed away last year). Chris Alston 4link rear,Turbo400 with trans brake, lil 5.3 with btr cam and matching valve train on a big shot. Went 9.4s last pass. Just got it back on the road. Will be back at track soon enough

She's gorgeous and so is that Vega. She looks good driving it ❤

@AutotopiaLA

6 ай бұрын

Totally agree

Awesome video.👍

Nice looking build, split bumper and it will definitely have the look. I had a 406 in one with a 9"" and 411. My buddy named it the frog because he said it jumped when gigged and was bug-eyed lol

Looks beefy Shawn and yet it light weight...that is a wicked combo!

@AutotopiaLA

6 ай бұрын

2700 lbs and 650 whp…badass

Now we’re talking!!!!

Love it. Always wanted to build one.

Awesome episode! I remember cruising around in my friends Vega growing up! He also had a 70'a maverick that had a 302 and a 4 barrel from the factory. Fun!!

@AutotopiaLA

6 ай бұрын

Sounds like a fun ride

My only grief is it's not me sitting beside her for a leisure drive in that vega.

@AutotopiaLA

6 ай бұрын

lol! I loved riding and chatting with her

I've spoke to Frank in the past. I have a 72 Vega that was featured in HRM Sept 81 issue, and Frank knows my car.

Haven't seen a tubbed out pro st, car in a while on this channel,wow,niccccceeeee.❤🔥

@AutotopiaLA

6 ай бұрын

Pretty rare here and I always love shooting em

Sweet little cruiser, I'm sure it gets down & boogies just fine. Looks great too.

...now THIS is my kind of hotrod ! ! 💪😎👌

I'm a BIG FAN of small cars/V8s (avatar is my SBC MGB). Love this Vega a bunch! Had a Vega panel/327 bracket car in the seventies, good memories. Again, nice to see one this well finished/drivin' around.

When I was 15 I had saved 1000 $ it was 1980. I had found the Vega and a small block turbo 350. Vegas could be had for 50$ in a non runner. My father was thinking about it , well I got told no. I loved seeing this video.

Now, you're bringing back memories of my teenage years... All the rage when I was a teenager, splitting the front bumper. Just like the Camaro. I helped do a few of them back in the early to mid-1970s on my friends Vegas. These cars were a dime a dozen back in the 70s and 80s. People bought them new and that Chevy 4 popper bit the dust early. Most didn't want the hassle of replacing with a sleeved block. Just sell it and be done with it. Ask the owner about splitting that bumper. Realistically speaking, that stock bumper isn't going to stop much as far as damage goes.

This car is ANGRY! I LOVE IT!

Love it man love to have one

Super clean build! Very nice.

Best looking Vega I think I’ve ever seen , always liked how the front end of them look like a Camaro

What a cool car and great backstory.

Where I live in New England those Vega's were popular at the local racetracks, they were chopped up for open wheel modifieds, the vegas, pintos, gremlins, pacers.