1972 Chevrolet MOTION Vega GT
Since the stock version of the MPC Chevrolet Vega has long been gone and I won't pay the prices for an original kit, I decided to scratch build one! I was originally going to use a promotional model I found on Ebay real cheap as a donor. But, when I saw how good condition this promo was, I didn't have the haert to cut it up. However it was a GREAT template for a stock factory body! I used an MPC 1972 Grumpy Jenkins Toy Vega kit to modify the rear wheel wells back to stock configuration. I kit bashed this with a few kits and scratch built MANY parts. Similar door panels from the 70 Camaro kit and engine. 68 Corvette L-88 hood added to teh Vega hood. I have 6 months into this build. Paint is Factory code for Antique White. This car is a replica of a good friends 72 Motion Vega GT he purchased brand new from Baldwin Chevrolet. My friend did change a few things by deleting the typical Motion Striping and the side header exhaust. His was a 350 SBC LT-1 modified engine with a 4 speed transmission and shortened 4:10 rear. I was also friends with Joel Rosen owner of Baldwin Motion since I lived close by. RIP Joel Rosen 2023.
@moparpep. SUPER job and conversion Thomas! Great work
Thank you
Very nice work, Thomas.
Thank you
Very cool!
Thank you
This is really cool... It also brought back some memories for me too. One of my friends had a Baldwin Motion 69 Chevelle. One of my cousins had a Vega GT.
I like what you did here.
From one gear head to another... well done !
Thank you Lou!
Excellent job, Thomas!
Thank you
A superb conversion, Thomas @moparpep
Those six months of work are definitely worth it.
Thank you John! I had to do it because I WANTED ONE desperately! Took my time and did resaerch what would work with it!
Nice work, a real blast from the past.
Thank you memories of my teenage years made possible!
The base MPC kit is indeed way overpriced! $300+…ummm
I refused to pay it! LOL Just like the original MPC 71 Dodge Demon! $500+ for an original kit! Ooooof NOPE!
Looks great! I admire your patience in getting this done. There was a time when you would see Vegas all over the place. Then they started rusting...
Thank you! Motion turned a beutifully styled little car into a STREET MONSTER! C**P original drive train from a beautiful styled car!
Lots of work! But took my time!
8 attached images. Click to enlarge.
Absolutely one of the coolest car builds I’ve seen in a while. I always thought the Vega got a bad rap. They were pretty cool even through the unibody did like to twist under extreme torque.
Build is a show stopper in my mind. Thanks for sharing
Thank you Matt! Motion Performance did an amazing job reinforcing that Unibody construction from Chevrolet stock version. I was good friends with Joel Rosen from Motion in the 70's, he was an incredible fabricator and turned out true STREET MONSTERS! Joel passed away last year but his legend is stil alive! I had to do this build because of my love for a MOTION VEGA GT!
Well done, Thomas. Like the look and the display.
Thank you Gary! This build makes lots of memories when I was a teenager and early 20's. Was teh best era EVER!
That’s an awesome model, Thomas! The real Vega, along with the Pinto , were responsible for Americans embracing Japanese compacts. The girl next door got a brand new one for HS graduation and the engine seized up within a year.