Cars > Challenges > “Papa Smurph” Vs “Millionth Vega”
1969 Volkswagen Beetle
“Papa Smurph”
1973 Chevrolet Vega GT
“Millionth Vega”
Head to Head
About “Papa Smurph”
This is my first car. Others have come and gone, but Papa has been with me since high school. I restored him with my boyfriend at the time, and we had so much fun doing it, I married him!
About “Millionth Vega”
1973 CHEVROLET VEGA GT HATCHBACK - MILLIONTH VEGA
Bright Orange - Light Neutral interior
1 of 6,500 limited special editions of 395,792 1973 Vega production.
Production date - June 1973
140 CID (2.3 L) Aluminum Block Inline-4
4-Speed Manual Transmission
8,111 miles documented - unrestored, original car including factory powertrain, factory acrylic lacquer paint, original interior and factory-installed dot-matching tires; factory-applied window sticker never removed. Car originates from Sunderland Chevrolet in Pa. (same dealer as my '76 Cosworth Vega). I first learned of the car in the mid 1980s, untitled with 80 miles, on display at Gast Classic Motorcars in Pennsylvania. I initially contacted the first titled owner in 2001 who was later willing to part with the car a year later.
First titled owner (Illinois) bought new Sept. 24, 1996 with 151 miles. I'm the second titled owner (N.Y) bought used June 20, 2002 with 3,429 miles. In the 11 years that I've owned the car, it's always been stored indoors as before and driven mostly to shows, winning more than 30 awards over 8 years. The car was recognized for its originality when it participated at the 2010 New England Concours D 'Elegance winning "Favorite Original" and "Best Preservation" awards. The same year the car was featured in a Motor Trend Classic retrospective Vega-Pinto-Gremlin comparison and featured in a video having been a selected winner in the Car Domain/Castrol Unlock Your Performance contest. The car has also appeared in Hemmings Motor News and Super Chevy magazines.
Awards-Press-Video-Events (see blogs)
L.I. Shows 2004-2009 - 10 First Place Trophies (Stock '70 -'75 class)
note: did not attend 2010-2012 local shows.
Antique Automobile Club of America (A.A.C.A.) NY Peconic region -
"Hallockville Meet" Trophy Winner - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
note: did not attend 2012 A.A.C.A regional meet.
Hemmings Motor News - "New England Concours D' Elegance 2010" in Vermont.
"Cruise-in Spectacular" July 17, 2010 - Favorite Original
"Concours D' Elegance" July 18, 2010 - Best Preservation
featured in Hemmings Motor News, Oct. 2010 issue in event coverage.
Motor Trend Classic magazine photoshoot - Amherst Massachusetts June 12, 2010 with a 1971 Gremlin and a 1972 Pinto for a retrospective comparison.
Motor Trend Classic Fall 2010 issue published August 10, 2010
Motor Trend.com article preview and wallpaper released online September 7, 2010.
Car Domain/Castol EDGE "Unlock Your Performance" Contest Winner Oct. 2010 - video released Oct. 20.
Super Chevy Show- Maple Grove Raceway, Pa. July 16-17, 2011.
"Show Class Winner'' & "Best Open Class"
featured in Super Chevy magazine, November 2011 in event coverage.
A Hemmings Classic Car magazine photoshoot at home Nov. 15, 2012 with my 1976 Cosworth Vega for an upcoming 2013 article.
Specs for “Papa Smurph”
Just the basics. After all, it IS a VW Bug!
Specs for “Millionth Vega”
Dimensions - Capacities
Length: 172.3 in
Width: 65.4 in
Height: 50 in
Wheelbase: 97 in
Front track: 55.1 in
Rear track: 54.1 in
Ground clearance 4.8 in
Oil capacity w/filter 4 US Qt
Fuel capacity: 11.1 US Gal
Turning circle btw. curbs: 33 ft
Drag coefficient estimated by a-c: 0.42
Curb Weight: 2462 lbs
Powertrain:
Aluminum Cylinder Block / Cast-Iron Cylinder Head
Engine manufacturer: Chevrolet
Engine type: spark-ignition 4-stroke
Cylinders alignment: Line 4
Displacement: 2287 cm3 / 139.6 cui
Main bearings: 5
Valves per cylinder: 2
Additional features: Holley 2-barrel; SOHC
Bore: 88.93 mm / 3.501 in
Stroke: 2.07 mm / 3.625 in
Compression ratio: 8 : 1
Power net: 85 hp / 4800
Torque: 115 ft-lb / 2400
Drivetrain:
Traction: RWD (rear-wheel drive)
Gearbox: Saginaw M20
Transmission type: manual
Number of gears: 4
Gear ratios (overall):
I 3.11 (9.08)
II 2.2 (6.42)
III 1.47 (4.29)
IV 1 (2.92)
Final drive ratio std: 2.92
Standard tires: A70 x 13 (GT)
Performance:
Top speed: 106 mph
0-60 mph (s): 13.3
0- 1/4mile (s): 19.6
speed at 1/4mile: 73 mph
Fuel consumption: extra-urban / city / highway / average combined:
26-31 / 16-20 / 26-30 / 22.6
1973 Chevrolet Vega-
Motor Trend 1973 Economy Car of the Year (Vega GT)
Car and Driver 1973 Readers Choice Poll - Best Economy Sedan
Factory Options for “Papa Smurph”
AM Radio, heater
Factory Options for “Millionth Vega”
1HV77 Vega Hatchback Coupe - L4 2191.90
M20 - Transmission, 4-Speed 51.00
ZM6 - One Millionth Vega 497.55
includes:
- GT Package
- Power Steering
- Sport Stripes - white
- Custom Interior - w/ exclusive vinyl door panels
- Accent-Color Carpeting - orange
- "Millionth Vega" w/ Bowtie door handle accents
- Bright Orange Exterior
- Light Neutral Custom Vinyl Interior
U63 - AM Radio, Pushbutton 58.75
B84 - Moldings: Body Side. Includes Vinyl Insert 30.50
Factory Installed Options Subtotal 637.80
Destination Charge 54.00
Total Amount 2883.70
Accessories:
GM Underseat Litter Container-nos
GM Engine Block Heater-nos
GM Hatchback Hutch "Tent Go Camp"-nos
Tires:
-Goodyear 185/70R13 Wingfoot Radial, raised white letters (4)
-Firestone A70-13 Wide-Oval Bias-Belted, raised white letters (1) factory-installed matching dot #s orig equip. new spare
-Firestone A70-13 Wide-Oval Bias-Belted, raised white letters (4) factory-installed matching dot #s
Tires (nos-unmounted-in storage):
-Goodyear 185/70R13 Wingfoot Radial, raised white letters (1)
-Firestone A70-13 Wide-Oval Bias-Belted, raised white letters (1)
-Goodyear A70-13 Polyglas Bias Belted, raised white letters (5)
notes:
-Bright Orange available as a regular production Vega exterior color for 1974 model year.
-Vinyl Door Panels included with Custom Interior starting with the 1974 model year.
Vote This challenge has ended!
| Points for Papa Smurph | Total Votes | Points for Millionth Vega |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | 10 | 35 |
Cars > Challenges > “Papa Smurph” Vs “Millionth Vega”
