• 1.1 What is the GM H-body, basically?
• 1.2 What are the different H-body models?
• 1.3 What are the special or rare factory H-bodies?
• 1.4 What are some aftermarket special H-bodies?
• 1.5 What changes were made to the Chevrolet Vega for each model year?
• 1.6 What changes were made to the Pontiac Astre for each model year?
• 1.7 What changes were made to the Chevrolet Monza for each model year?
• 1.8 What changes were made to the Buick Skyhawk for each model year?
• 1.9 What changes were made to the Oldsmobile Starfire for each model year?
• 1.10 What changes were made to the Pontiac Sunbird for each model year?
• 1.11 How many of each model was produced?
• 1.12 What's this I hear about a rotary engine in the Monza?
• 1.13 What's up with the 1999 Chevrolet Monza and reincarnations?
• 1.14 How do I decode the VIN on my H-body?
• 1.15 How do I decode the trim tag on my H-body?
• 1.16 What are some Vega/Astre option codes?
• 1.17 What are some Monza/Sunbird/Starfire/Skyhawk option codes?
• 1.18 What's a restoration pack?
• 1.19 Where can I find magazine articles about the H-bodies?
• 1.20 What are some H-body books?
• 1.21 What are some H-body models?
• 1.22 What movies have H-bodies in them?
• 1.23 What TV shows have H-bodies in them?
• 1.24 How fast are stock H-bodies?
• 1.25 Where can I buy H-body stuff?
• 1.26 Are there 1974 or 1981 Monzas?
• 1.27 How can I insure my restored H-Body?
• 1.28 What Monzas came with white letter tires?
• 1.29 What is the "Vert-a-pact" option (VK5)?

The H-body was GM's subcompact car for the seventies, sold in six different models: Chevrolet Vega and Monza, Pontiac Astre and Sunbird, Buick Skyhawk, and Oldsmobile Starfire.

Each model has a 4, 6, or 8-cylinder engine in the front and a solid rear axle to move the car. All bodies are of unit-body construction (no separate frame). All styles have four seats, two doors, and are available in notchback, hatchback, or wagon forms (depending on brand). There are economy- and performace-tuned models.

The line was replaced in the early eighties by the transverse front-engined front wheel drive GM J-Body (Chevrolet Cavalier, Pontiac Sunbird, etc.).

??? The H-Bodies were developed by GM Lead Engineer Ed Cole, who also developed the Corvair and Fiero. The Vega was designed with a Chevy Small Block V8 in mind, but the Corvette group protested enough to kill that option.

H is the internal code GM used to identify the car platform. For example, some other codes are F for the Camaro and Firebird, P for the Fiero, Y for the Corvette, G for the RWD Monte Carlo and Grand Prix, and so on. Letter codes change and get reused. Most recently, H was used for the large FWD platform used by the Pontiac Bonneville and Buick LeSabre.

There are two major variations of the H-body, one based on the Chevrolet Vega and one based on the Chevrolet Monza.

Vega sales began in 1971. The Pontiac Astre, almost a clone of the Vega except for minor cosmetic changes, was sold in Canada, then introduced to the US in 1975. The Vega was sold in hatchback, notchback, wagon, and panel wagon versions. All Vegas were sold with 1bbl or 2bbl 2.3L four cylinder aluminum-block OHC engines, except the DOHC Cosworth Vega sold in 1975 and 1976. The Vega 2300 won Motor Trend's "Car of the Year" for 1971. Vega sales ended with the 1977 model year.

The Monza was introduced in 1975. GM's other brands also introduced their versions of the Monza: the Oldsmobile Starfire, the Buick Skyhawk, and the Pontiac Sunbird. The Monza, based on concept cars designed by Pininfarina (1971/1972 Ferrari GTC+4), was designed to use a two rotor Wankel engine, but that engine never reached production. Instead, the Monza appeared with either the Vega's 4-cylinder or a 262ci small block V8 (350ci in California). Later engines include the Pontiac Iron Duke 2.5l inline four, a 3.2l V6, the Buick 3.8l V6, and the Chevy 305 V8. The Monza 2+2 hatch won Motor Trend's "Car of the Year" for 1975. All H-body production ended for the 1980 model year.

• Astre Formula

  Al (Astreformula) writes:
  "After seeing the pictures of the Astre Formula on George's (VegaGT76) website, I stumbled across such a car. It took me 3 months of convincing to acquire the car. What information I obtained about the car came from 2 sources: 1977 sales brochure and the Standard Catalog of American Cars 1976-1986 book. The Formula option was only offered in 1977 for the Astre. It was also the only year that Pontiac offered the 2.5L motor. The Formula option would get you special decals, handling package, chrome valve cover, Formula TA steering wheel and a 3 piece rear spoiler. Out of the 12,120 HB's built, there are no production numbers for the Formula option."

• Astre SJ

  See Vega GT.

• Cosworth Vega

  The centerpiece of the Cosworth Vega is the Cosworth-designed Dual Overhead Cam 16 valve engine. Based on the 2.3l block in the other Vegas, the DOHC engine is 2.0l and uses Bendix electronic fuel injection controlled by a Motorola computer. The engine has an aluminum block and head and uses a stainless steel exhaust header and HEI ignition. The engines were built in Tonawanda NY and installed in Vega bodies produced off the regular assembly line in the Lordstown OH plant. The engine produces 120hp @ 5200RPM (an experimental engine using an 11.5:1 compression ratio produced 270hp @ 8750RPM!). In addition to the engine, Cosworth Vegas received a heavy-duty front suspension, the torque-arm rear suspension introduced in the Monza, miscellaneous interior enhancements, and a "Twin Cam" nameplate on the instrument panel engraved with the car's number. 2061 were built in 1975 and 1446 were built in 1976. The price was around $6000.

• Millionth Vega

  Robert Spinello (vegabob) contributed:
  In May 1973, Chevrolet produced the one millionth Vega. A million buiilt in three years! Chevrolet chose a GT Hatchback coupe featuring a bright orange exterior with white sport stripes, a neutral custom vinyl interior featuring exclusive vinyl door panels, orange accent color carpeting, power steering and Millionth Vega door handle accents.
  Chevrolet produced a special limited edition Millonth Vega replicating the milestone car. 6500 were built at the rate of 10 cars per hour from May through July 1973.(10% of total production for 3 months)

  Millionth Vega - ZM5 option $497.00 included:

  • GT Package
  • Power Steering
  • Bright Orange Exterior (code 86)
  • White Sport Stripes
  • Light Neutral Custom Vinyl Interior w/exclusive Vinyl Door Panels
  • Accent-Color Carpeting - Orange
  • Millionth Vega Door Handle Accents

  Hot Rod magazine, in December 1973 said: "...They'll probably sell a million of 'em."

  Notes: Regular production options were available not in conflict with the ZM5 package - (any transmission, a/c, etc.)
  Bright Orange Exterior color was offered as a regular production Vega color (code 69) in 1974 (only).
  Vinyl Door Panels became part of the Custom Interior option from 1974 on.
  

  By 1973, total Vega production was up to over 100 cars per hour at the Lordstown, Ohio Assembly Plant - it was by far, the fastest auto production rate in the world. Still, a GM of Canada plant was also utilised to keep up with the demand in 1973-74.

• Monza Cabriolet

  (same options as Vega Cabriolet)

• Monza California 350

  Brian Melka (Bacchus_101573) writes:
  "The California Monza was alive for the 1975 and 1976 years. The 1975 cars had anemic 125hp 350 2-barrel engines and only came with automatic transmissions (more on that in a minute). The 1976 cars had a 305 2-barrel engine. The 350 was only offered in 1975 California Monzas and the 305 that was offered in 1976 was only offered in California Monzas. The 305 became an option on all-states cars in 1977. There are still a handful of these cars left. All of the cars that are currently documented are notchbacks.

  There was a special option K-code car as well. This 1975 California Monza included a 350 4-barrel engine. There are currently only two known to exist. One is owned by Tony Underwood in Ohio and the other is in Southern California. The car located in Southern California is a demo car only. Tony's car is especially rare in that it had 4-speed (rumored to not be available on California cars) and an Astro roof and no Air Conditioning (rare on a California car). Only two Monzas are documented to have had the Astro roof conversion. It is rumored that Tony's car was a special order executive or dealer car that was not available to the general public. It is likely one of the rarest publicly-held Monzas in existence."

  Sean (spkorb) says GM told him 3400 5.7l Monzas were built.

  Don (mrdonjeffers) adds:
  "Confirmation of the number 3400 75 350 Monza's. I too called GM, but back in 1982. I was switched around to mutiple numbers of people until finally someone was able to verify the correct numbers. His exact words were "there were 3366 5.7litre Monza's made and given vin tags/paper work". I would venture to say that given the cars rarity and the fact that many people hacked on, or hot rodded so many of these cars that there are probably only a few hundred correct, stock ones out there."

• Monza Mirage

  The Monza Mirage wears body cladding that resembles the Monzas racing in the IMSA Camel GT series, only toned down for the street. This includes a front wraparound air dam, wider front fenders, wider rear fenders, a matching wraparound rear spoiler, badges, and stripes. The package was only available on hatchback Monzas (without the Spyder package) with any engine, but the V8 was "recommended." When the package was first made available in 1977, white was the only exterior color offered.

  For the 1978 model year, these colors were to be offered:

  • Code 13 Silver with Firethorn Stripes
  • Code 19 Black with Gold Stripes
  • Code 75 Light Red with Gold Stripes
  but production ended with the 1977 model year.

  The package was designed by BORT, Inc. of Grand Rapids, Michigan, for Michigan Automotive Techniques Corporation. The Mirage could be ordered from any Chevrolet dealer; the car would then be built on the regular assembly line and drop-shipped to Michigan Automotive Techniques Corp., who would add the Mirage options and ship the car to the dealer where the order was placed. The MSRP of the option package was under $700.

  Ken Mahoy supplied this info from the M.A.T. order form:

    
        "It is recommended (but not mandatory) to maximize the
         distinctive visual appearance and ride characteristics
         of the package and car that the following options be
         ordered:
           D35 - Sport Mirrors
           QKZ - BR70-13/C White Lettered Radial Tires
           U14 - Special Instrumentation
           N31 - Sport Steering Wheel
           F41 - Sport Suspension
           LG3 - 5.0 Litre 2-bbl. V-8 Engine
  
         CAUTION: The following Chevrolet options are not
         compatible and must not be ordered:
           B84 - Body Side Moldings
           B93 - Door Edge Guards
           B96 - Wheel Opening Moldings
           Z01 - Spyder Equipment Package
           Z02 - Spyder Appearance Package...." 
    

• Monza Sport

  This package includes a black-out treatment for the B pillar, a front stabilizer bar, and high-back bucket seats.

• Monza Spyder

  Available on hatchback and notchback body styles in 1976, this package includes special "Spyder" body decals, 2bbl 2.3l engine, floor console, F41 suspension package, special instrumentation and instrument panel, BR70 or BR78 tires, and the five-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission (this is the Z01 RPO). In 1977 the package added Rally II wheels, front and rear spoilers, and black accents on headlamps, taillamps, and many other pieces that are chrome on non-Spyder cars (Z02 RPO). Note that Z01 and Z02 could be ordered independently.

• Monza Super Spyder II (aka Stiletto)

  Ken Mahoy provides this information: Prototype Monza 2+2 that was orginally developed by Jerry Palmer at the GM Design Center as a "lighting concept", with a Corvette-looking front nose, rounded-off one-piece rear tail section with a fixed rear spoiler, reminiscent of the GTO Judge, and louvered taillights (like the '66 GTO). GM lighting engineers developed a long fluorescent tube buried in the car's nose behind a plexiglass shield that provided low-beam illumination for urban night driving, while twin high-powered Cibie driving lights were faired into the under-side of the nose for high-speed travel. Powertrain was the 16-valve Cosworth engine, except with twin (45mm) Weber carbs, and a Borg Warner 5-speed coupled with a 4.10 rear axle. It was painted a unique "palomino, platinum gold" color. The hood had nice visual effects, such as extensive pinstriping and clearance blisters which were intentionally asymmetrical to simulate an aircraft fuselage. One blister was a functional passenger-side air intake, and the driver's side blister housed a digital speedometer! Under the flaired fenders resided FR60-14 Goodrich Radial T/A's on German BBS lightweight racing wheels (14X7 front, 14X8 rear). Visually, it was one of the most pleasing Monza prototypes ever built.

• Monza 'S'

  Built only in 1978, these cars had the body of a Vega (was GM using up leftover parts after Vega production ended in 1977?) with the nose and bumpers of a Monza. 2,326 were built.

  Brian Harpst writes:
  "There was another Monza 'S' model which appeared, briefly, in 1975 (see the May, 1975 revison of brochure #3018). It was an H07 body-style stripped down to the "bare bones" in terms of equipment. That Monza 'S' was intended to combat the public's reaction to the original, high-priced '2+2' edition - which was almost the same or higher price than a Camaro, as I recall."

• Skyhawk Designers' Accent Edition

  This package has bright red or yellow paint, black accents, hawk hood decal, rear spoiler, and a "sporty tone exhaust system."

• Skyhawk Road Hawk

  The Road Hawk package includes Rallye suspension (larger stabilizer bars, BR70x13 blackwall tires), "Road Hawk" decals, white bucket seats, special steering wheel, front air dam, and a wide rear spoiler on pillars. The cars are light silver over dark silver.

• Skyhawk Nighthawk

  Ken Mahoy sends: A Nighthawk was black Skyhawk with special gold painted wheels, and a unique gold "reflective" stripe and bird decal down the entire side of the car. During the day it was supposedly invisible, but at night it reflected to reveal the decal. [an ad states:] "The Nighthawk. Every once in awhile, you come across a car that does it to you. You don't just like it. You don't just want it. You've GOT to have it. And if your heart is not made of stone, we predict that this will be one such car. It's the Nighthawk. And it comes with a very special package of available options. Like other Skyhawks, it has things like Buick's gutsy 3.8 liter V-6. Steel-belted, radial tires. A 4-speed, console-mounted, manual transmission. A hatchback rear end. A rallye steering wheel. Ah, but there the similarity comes to a screeching halt. Because outside, there are those gold-painted wheel covers. And that beautiful, shimmering coal black skin. With, wonder of wonders, special stripes that only come out at night. They're virtually invisible during the day. But they shine like the moon when the light hits them at night. The Nighthawk. From Buick. See it. And drive it. Soon. At your Buick dealers. Then call your family, and tell them not to wait up for you."

• Starfire Firenza

  The Firenza package includes a special front air dam, rear spoiler, fender flares about 3" wide, sport mirrors, star-spoke wheels, rally suspension, and large "Firenza" decals.

• Starfire GT

  This package includes hood and side stripes, Rallye wheels, white letter tires, tachometer, clock, "Starfire GT" decals, and the 231 V6 the years it isn't standard.

• Sunbird Formula

• Vega Cabriolet

  This package has a padded vinyl roof and opera windows.

• Vega GT

  The GT package is not particulary rare. It includes, for most years: 2bbl engine, 13x6 steel wheels with A70x13 white letter tires, F41 sport suspension, gauge package, remote mirrors, and blacked-out trim. Originally available only for the hatchback coupe in 1971 and 1972, the package was made available for the wagon in 1973. In 1977 the GT Wagon was dropped, and the GT package could have optional huge bodyside stripes with the "vega gt" logo.

• Vega GT with 302 Aluminum V8

  Robert Spinello (vegabob) contributed:
  HOT ROD MAGAZINE circa '72 featured a '72 Vega GT built by CHEVROLET featuring a 302 c.i. ALL ALUMINUM V8--one of a kind. Of all V8 conversions, this one was (is) the best simply because motor weighs only 375 lbs, dressed. That's 160 lbs less than a cast iron small block. This motor was designed by Chevy in 1959 for Corvette research. They existed in limited quantity in '72, and were never offered on a production car or through a parts program. One of the remaining motors (283 c.i.) was bored to 302 c.i. for this Vega. The quarter mile time listed was 13.97! with stock (early) Vega rear end and street tires, Turbo 350 automatic, and 2,500 lbs total weight!

  Specs: The h.p. and axle ratio are not listed. 4" bore, 3" stroke. 11:1 compression pistons, mech. camshaft. Alcoa aluminum block with steel liners, aluminum heads, cast iron manifold, Rochester 4BBL The motor, shown in color, was aluminum with black valve covers, oil pan and pullies, yellow manifolds and timing pully and red wires--Awesome!

  The one of a kind Vega's exterior was electric blue with white GT wheels and side stripes (similar to Yenko Turbo Stinger), white pinstripped hood bulge, spoilers (front and rear), body colored (blue) bumpers, black grill, and side decals similar to the Spirit of America edition from '74.

  This car was considered for production by Chevy executives for 1974, according to Hot Rod. GM probably killed the idea because of pending projects including the Cosworth Vega and Wankel (rotary) engine. Cosworth took 3 more years to appear for just 3,500 cars and the rotary was cancelled.

• Vega Nomad

  George (VEGAGT76) writes:
  "Well, saw the Nomad here in Seattle last week and it is such a shame that so few existed. Don't know how many, but they were only made in 76 as far as I know. Some GT's and some regular Vega Kammbacks were made up. There is no record from the GM restoration information I just got from Chevrolet on my 76 GT. It shows all trims but the Nomad. I do know of a running Nomad in Las Vegas but it has a V8, is missing the vinyl top and has been painted a non stock color. All the Nomads I have ever seen since the 70's were the red metallic color, white interior and white vinyl top. Though I have seen photos of other colors."

• Vega Panel Express

  Robert Spinello (vegabob) contributed:
  Produced 1971-1975. Production: 1971 7,800; 1972-1974 approx. 4,000 per year; 1975 1,200. Note: 1975 Pontiac Astre Panel was produced (unknown amount).

  These are the lowest production Vegas excluding Cosworth 1975-76 (approx. 3,500 total). Vega Panels were bought usually for commercial use so they have been all but consumed by hard use many years ago (or by time and neglect).

  Many Wagon owners have fitted their cars with the side Panels in exchange for the wagons rear side glass--either from a "parted" or junked Vega Panel Express or custom fabricated from new sheet metal. Clearly, some Wagon owners like the outside look of the Panel Express and the rear-seat-finished interior of the Kammback Wagon. Of course, wagons were produced in much higher numbers-- around 100,000 per year, although today even these are fairly rare.

  The Vega Panel Express was produced until the Vega's reputation had become less than desirable for it to be marketed with other Chevy Trucks. Although it was featured in the 1971 Chevy trucks full line brochure, it wouldn't be long until it would fade from Chevy's marketing plans--two years before all Vegas were discontinued, to be exact.

  The first Chevy Panel (based on a car) since 1960, the Vega was like a baby brother to the 1960 "final full size" Panel. Early Full Size Sedan Deliveries had 2 doors, not 4. Vegas, of course, only made in 2 doors, replicated the the original Panel Sedans, only much smaller. Mid-sized Chevelles & Novas would not offer a Sedan Delivery in the 60's. Although the Vega Panel (like all sedan deliveries)is based on a car, it is considered a truck. Proof of this is the GVWR metal riveted plate on the driver's inside door (by GM build sticker). The plate says "this truck should not be overloaded." Payload and gross vehicle weight are provided.

  The Vega Panel was basic a Vega as you could buy. Limited option avalability assured all would be just that--with rubber floor covering (no carpet option), no insulation anywhere (hatchbacks & wagons had hundreds of pounds of it), ONE low back driver's seat-- passenger side was an option. Of course, it had no rear seat. Instead it had a raised metal enclosed storage compartment with a steel lid (aluminum on 73-75's) that, when closed gave a 5+ foot-long flat floor(like wagon) but with no view out and no interior trim save the plastic door panels and headliner. Anything behind the seat including floor panels was body colored like a Chevy Van. Interior colors were limited to Black or Green. Seat(s) were Sandlewood Beige only! In 1971 only, you had a choice of seat color--black, in addition to the beige.

  The outside was equally bare with minimal trim--no chrome trim around side windows and no drip moldings, like early base sedan. The sedan, however, offered a Decor Group Option, which included the chrome trim outside & carpeting inside. Panel Express didn't offer these trim items. Wheel Trim Rings & Rear Deflector were the only trim options available. A/C, Power Steering, AM & AM/FM Radios were some of the limited options available for the ordering. The Seat(s) was right out of Chevy Van--square, low-back and firm, for work. Original '71 Vega had no glove box, only pockets in door panels. The 3-speed manual transmission came on most, or powerglide automatic. The 4-speed was not usually specified but was avalaible.

  In all its basicness, it still looked good because the Vega design (wagon/panel included) is one the cleanest looking small car designs from any era. It has aged well. Only the slightly long hood (by today's standards) and 13" wheels date it in any way. The Vega body was "perfected by computer" which is how GM explained its purity of line!

  This is the rarest of all H bodies regardless of production numbers simply because these were work or delivery vehicles; in most cases used for several years then death by crusher. Precious few have survived, usually found sitting neglected in junkyards only because of their rarity and "extra space" at some yards, or found at a drag strip sporting a small or big block, huge slicks, and usually the fastest speeds! Low value in stock restored condition ($5,000-$6,000) makes it a poor investment for a restoration candidate with the price of a paint job alone now going for 2,000-5,000! Only low milage 1 or 2 owner trucks exist today in Fine stock condition.

  How to tell a "real" Panel Express from a Wagon in disguise: See the Fisher Body Tag under the hood. The Panel Express body code is 05; the wagon body code is 77.

  Vega Panel Express was the first Sedan Delivery offered from General Motors since 1960, and in 1975, the last.

• Motion Vega aka Super Vega

  7 to 9 were made, all small block V8s except one 454 big block V8. Motion also sold kits, so differentiating a true Motion-built Vega from a V8 Vega built using a Motion kit can be tough, in fact, one rumor is that Motion charges $1000 to determine if a particular Vega is a true Motion car. Owners could specify many different options on the cars, such as forced induction, color combinations, etc. The small block cars used 375hp LT-1 engines and 12-bolt rears.

• DeKon Monza

  11 1976 Monzas were prepped for the IMSA Camel GT road racing series. They are tube-frame cars (2400lbs) with 600 HP and all of the necessary suspension and bodywork modifications. They beat out the previously-dominant Porsches that year.

• Yenko Stinger Vega

  5 hatchbacks and 2 wagons with turbos

  Britt (kiva75) says:
  "As far as I know, The flairs and the f+r spoilers were options on the Stinger Vega as was the turbo. The wagon that was recently for sale in Florida was likely a non-turbo car(evidence leans that way) as well as this hatchback. The absence of the Turbo lettering is an indicator for this, the engine compartment was the indicator for the wagon. The turbo lettering came with a different part # than the rest of the stripe kit and was available for purchase with the turbo kit. From the rust on the rear hatch, it does look like it had one of the two rear spoilers available throughout "production". The original was a one piece affair made by GM (or by BORT, they made the flares and the louvers), and can also be seen on the prototype v-8 71 that GM built (same with the front). I have one on my Cosworth race car. The other three peice went on to become the Astre design. I'm not sure when they made the switch. Remember that anybody could go into Yenko dealerships and buy all the options over the counter. These (as far as any documented proof goes that I've seen) were not factory copo cars. Yenko also offered the Stinger package on the original Honda 1600's at the same time and later than the Vega. Same stripe style, same turbo kit. If a turbo car was built at the dealer, I believe the sticker would have been included in the package. I suppose someone could have gone sleeper, but the cars weren't screamers, best ET I know about(with the complete dealer installed Yenko package) is 15.1. So what would've been the point? Also, I think that the black stripe treament was a late 71 GT thing, and the early Yenko cars were not GT's. All the Yenko Stinger stuff I have shows only cars with standard dashes with added SW tachs. Several have GT emblems and GT steering wheels, but I think these were promotional 1971 cars with the GT added to prep sales for the increase of GT production for 1972, because they still have the standard dash."

  Ken (mahoy78spyder) adds:
  You're right, the turbo car "did" have the phrase "Turbo Stinger" as the lettering within the stripe, as opposed to just "Stinger". Also, I always assumed that these cars where more or less a package deal, not quite like a COPO, but if you ordered a Stinger, you got the whole shebang (with a few minor options to include or exclude) But looking into it close, you could as much or as "little" as you wanted - even it meant that all you had was the decal kit. In fact, here are some interesting tidbits. If you wanted to buy each option seperately for the Yenko Stinger, here is what they cost:

  BORT Trans Am air dam - $21.95
  BORT Mini Z ducktail (rear spoiler) - $34.95
  Stinger stripes - $32.95
  Window CV louvres - $26.95/pr
  Wheel flares - $35.00/pr
  Yenko Turbo Charger - $575.00 complete
  

  Also, between the different pictures of Yenko Stinger Vegas I've seen, the trim/stripes and even wheel combinations varied quite a bit. Basically, it seems you could order any Vega base package you wanted and add the Stinger options as you pleased. One thing I couldn't answer, though, was that there were custom mag wheels available on the prototype Stinger, and they look like Cosworth wheels but with the inside painted black instead of gold, but this article that shows them if from 1971! (long before the Cosworth)

  Also, in Car Craft, April '71 the best 1/4mile time they could get from a Turbo Stinger w/ a 3.36:1 rear axle was 15.5 seconds. Another ad I have of a Vega Stinger advertizes high 14's, but does not give any specifics. *shrug*

• Lil' Wide Track Astre

  Designed by BORT (British Overseas Racing Team) and produced by Motortown Corp. BORT went on to do the Monza Mirage design.

• Horey Chevrolet (NY) and Scuncio Chevrolet (RI) Vegas

  V8 Vegas built and sold by these dealerships.

  Al (alfred_howe) gives some Scuncio specs: LT1 360 HP v8 4 speed with narrowed Impala posi rear end with 4:11 gears--starting price without 12 bolt posi (stock rear end) was $3995.00 ($1300.00 for posi rear end)-- ran a 13.32 at over 100 mph.

NOTE: Questions 1.5-1.10 aren't meant to be complete lists of changes, but enough to help you spot different models. Complete details are in the book "Standard Catalog of American Cars" (see Sources).

• 1971

  Chevrolet Vega is introduced. Body styles are notchback sedan, hatchback coupe, and kammback station wagon. The front end has single headlights, round parking lamps, egg-crate grille, and a wraparound bumper. The rear is concave with two lamps on each side. The nameplate reads "Chevrolet Vega 2300." The sedans and wagons get front manual discs. Also standard are a three-speed manual transmission with floor shifter and 6.00x13 tires. The standard engine is a 140ci (2.3l) 1bbl inline four, OHC, 3.501" x 3.625" bore and stroke, 8:1 compression ratio, producing 90hp @ 4700 RPM. An optional 2bbl carb gives the engine 110hp. Horsepower figures are pre-SAE. Options: four-speed manual transmission, automatic transmission, power steering, A/C, and Vega GT package for the coupe.

• 1972

  Vega's grille changed slightly. There is a new emblem on side of cowl. Tires are now A78x13. No substantial engine changes were made.

• 1973

  The Vega gets a new front bumper. The emblem reads "Vega by Chevrolet." A four-speed manual transmission is now standard. Under the new SAE system, the 1bbl engine is 72hp @ 4400 RPM, and the 2bbl is 85hp @ 4400 RPM. The new bumper makes the car 3" longer (173" total). New options: Estate Wagon, custom interior, and a GT package for wagon.

• 1974

  The Vega gets a new slanted nose with a horizontally slotted grille. The bumpers were made larger and have rubber guards, lengthing the car another 3" to 176" total. The taillamps are a single-unit style. New option: vinyl top.

• 1975

  Vega gets a catalytic convertor and improvements to the engine and front suspension. The 1bbl 2300 engine makes 78hp @ 4200RPM; the 2bbl makes 87 @ 4400 RPM. New options: power brakes, tilt steering, and a luggage rack. LX model gets 2bbl engine.

  The Cosworth Vega is introduced. See "special or rare H-bodies."

  The 7.5" rear is a new option (6.5" standard).

• 1976

  The 2300 engine gets new hydraulic valve lifters and other engine improvements. The Monza's torque arm rear suspension replaces the old four-link rear suspension. The Vega's grille is changed so that the parking lights are hidden behind the grille slats which run from headlight to headlight. The taillights were changed to have three sections on each side top-to-bottom. The rear drum brakes are larger (9.5" x 2").

  Standard equipment: 1bbl 2300 engine (70 hp), 13x5 steel wheels with A78x13 blackwall tires, three speed manual transmission, electric fuel pump, heater/defroster, and front bucket seats.

  Options: Five-speed manual transmission, automatic transmission, GT package, Freedom battery, Cabriolet appearance option.

  This is the final year for the Cosworth Vega.

• 1977

  The four-speed manual transmission and 2bbl engine are standard with the five-speed manual or three-speed automatic optional. Slight changes are made to emissions equipment. This is the final year for the Vega.

Most changes shadow the Vega, but here are some Astre-specific notes:

• 1971

  Pontiac Astre is introduced in Canada only. Like other Pontiacs, the wagon model is called the "Safari." The Astre is almost identical to the Vega, except for unique taillights and a Pontiac badge on the grille. The SJ model mirrors the Vega GT.

• 1975

  Astre is introduced to the US.

• 1977

  This is the final year for the Astre. The front end is redesigned, with four holes on either side of a center Pontiac emblem, the outer holes used for parking lights. The 2.5l engine and four-speed manual transmission are standard in the hatchback and Safari (wagon) models. Aluminum wheels (13") and a luxury trim package are optional.

• 1975

  1975 -- Monza 2+2 hatchback is introduced. It has four rectangular headlights set into a soft urethane front fascia. The grille is two rows of long rectangular holes. The rear taillights wrap around into the rear quarter panels. Parking lamps sit below the front bumper where fog lights would sit. Emblems list the engine id at the front of the fenders and "Monza 2+2" at the cowl.

  Later the same model year, the Towne Coupe is introduced, with a trunk instead of a hatch and different headlights and taillights. There is one round headlight per side in a hard fiberglass nose panel. The parking lamps are hidden behind an egg-crate grille that runs between the headlights. The taillamps are three-segment pieces. The bumpers are large and chrome plated. The 'S' model (the H07-based one, not the rebadged Vega) is also introduced.

  The base engine is the 1bbl 2.3l OHC four from the Vega, with 2bbl optional. Also available are two V8 engines: 262ci (49 states) and 350ci (California).

  Standard equipment: 1bbl 2.3l engine, three-speed manual transmission, bucket seats, front disc brakes, A78x13 tires.

  Options: 2bbl 2.3l engine, 262ci V8 engine, 350ci V8 engine, four- and five-speed manual transmissions, three-speed automatic transmission, aluminum wheels, AM/FM cassette radio.

• 1976

  New front rotors and larger rear drums (9.5" x 2") improved the Monza's braking. The transmission tunnel was redesigned to be 2" shorter (the original was designed to hold the rotary engine, which was never put into production). A 305ci V8 replaced the 350, but was available in all states and made more power anyway. The Spyder option package is introduced. Cabriolet package is available on the Towne Coupe. The 262ci V8 is dropped.

• 1977

  The Spyder package is split into a separate appearance package (bold decals, black-out trim) and performance package (F41 suspension, sport steering wheel and mirrors, BR70x13 tires). A digital clock option over the glove box is added. The Cabriolet package is dropped but the individual pieces are still available.

• 1978

  A Monza 'S' hatchback and a wagon replace the Vega hatchback and Vega wagon (using mostly the same body panels, except for the front nose and rear bumper). The Monza 2+2 and Towne Coupe are also still available. Both the quad-headlamp and round-headlamp front ends received a minor restyling. The 2.3l engine is replaced by the 2.5l Pontiac Iron Duke. Two new Buick V6s are available: 196ci for 49 states and 231ci for California. The V8 is not available on the 'S' models. The front brake rotors are vented. A GT package is available with "GT" stripes and BR70x13 tires. An Estate package is available for wagons.

• 1978

  The 2.5l four receives some improvements and the V8 gets a new carburetor. There are new front seats and steering wheel. No other major changes were made.

• 1980

  Bumper guards are standard. 2+2 gets a restyled air dam that integrates with the wheel openings and bodyside moldings that are angled to allow for new stripes. The 'S' models (including the wagon) are dropped. The V8 is no longer available.

• 1975

  Skyhawk is introduced as the "smallest Buick in 60 years." The hatchback model appears first, looking much like the Monza 2+2, and halfway through the model year, a cheaper 'S' version appears. The only engine choice is the 3.8l V6, which will remain the only choice through the car's production. A four-speed manual transmission is standard. Instruments include a 7000 RPM tachometer and clock, except on the 'S' model. Front and rear stabilizer bars are standard, again except on the 'S' model (front only).

• 1976

  The Astroroof, a tinted glass roof, was available with a brushed aluminum strap that went over the rear of the roof. Five-speed manual transmission and three-speed automatic transmission are available.

• 1977

  No changes except to the grille, which is completely different with a checkerboard pattern.

• 1978

  No major changes.

• 1979

  A new hood is added along with a new grille that has single rectangular headlamps and horizontal strips in a grid. The hood has a V-shaped bulge coming to a point in the front. The Road Hawk and "Designers' Accent Edition" packages are available.

• 1980

  No major changes. Road Hawk is still available. Production is suspended early in the model year.

• 1975

  Starfire is introduced. The front end is almost identical to the Monza 2+2 (soft fascia, quad headlamps) except there are only two side-by-side rectangular grille openings. The standard engine is the 231 V6 with four-speed manual transmission (five-speed manual and three-speed automatic transmissions are optional). The SX model offered some trim upgrades including wheel opening moldings, steel-belted radials, and a sport steering wheel. The GT package is also available starting mid-1975 (see "special models").

• 1976

  No major changes.

• 1977

  The grille is now two sets of many vertical slots between the same quad-headlamp setup. The 2.3l L4 is the new base engine with the 3.8l V6 still available.

• 1978

  The 2.3l L4 is replaced by the 2.5l L4 Iron Duke. The 3.8l V6 is still available. The 305 V8 is added. The GT package is still available on base and SX models. The Firenza package is added.

• 1979

  The Starfire looks much like the Monza sport hatch--it has the same large chrome bumpers, single front headlights, and the same hood (it previously used the 2+2-style hood). The soft fascia is replaced by a hard fiberglass panel with four sets of many vertical slots. The GT and Firenza options are still available. The same engines are available.

• 1980

  The Starfire was only produced until 1979. The 1980 model year car loses the V8 and has a slightly different grille (two sets of many horizontal slits, otherwise same as 1979).

• 1976

  The Sunbird is introduced a year later than its Monza/Starfire/ Skyhawk siblings. The front has quad-headlamps like the Monza 2+2, but the overall style of the car is like the Monza sport hatch with the large chome bumpers. The grille has an egg-crate pattern interrupted in the middle by a body-colored V section containing the Pontiac emblem. The Sunbird is available only as a coupe this year. Engines are the 2.3l L4 and 3.8l V6. Transmissions are a three-speed manual (std) and five-speed manual (opt). Other standard equipment includes heater/defroster, bucket seats, and wheel covers, drip moldings, and A78x13 tires.

• 1977

  The hatchback body style is added as the "Sport-Hatch," with special paint and stripes. The front end gets a minor restyle with a more recessed grille with vertical strips. The base engine is the 2.5l L4. The 3.8l V6 and aluminum wheels are optional.

• 1978

  A Sport Coupe, with styling similar to the Hatch, as well as a Safari Wagon model are added. No other major changes.

• 1979

  The grille gets horizontal strips. The 305 V8 is now optional. No other major changes.

• 1980

  The Safari Wagon model is dropped. Another new grille with an egg-crate pattern is introduced. The 305 V8 and the five-speed manual transmission are dropped.

Note: Around 4 million H-bodies were produced!

• Vega (1,962,649 over seven model years)

    1971: 277,700 (58,800 V11 Sedan, 168,300 V77 Hatch coupe, 42,800 V15 Wagon)
            Included in total: 7,800 panel wagons
    1972: 394,614 (55,800 V11 Sedan, 262,700 V77 Hatch coupe, 72,000 V15 Wagon) 
            Included in total: 4,114 panel wagons
    1973: 395,792 (no model breakdown available)
    1974: 452,886 (63,591 V11 Coupe, 271,682 V77 Hatch, 113,326 V15 Wagon)
            Included in total: 4,287 panel wagons
    1975: 204,178 (35,133 V11 Coupe, 112,912 V77 Hatch, 56,133 V15 Wagon)
            Included in total: 1,525 panel wagons
    1976: 159,077 (27,619 V11 Coupe, 77,409 V77 Hatch, 46,114 V15 Wagon)
            Included in total: 7,935 Estate wagons
    1977: 78,402 (12,365 V11 Coupe, 37,395 V77 Hatch, 25,181 V15 Wagon)
            Included in total: 3,461 Estate wagons
  

• Cosworth Vega (3507 over two model years)

    1975: 2061
    1976: 1446
  

• Astre

    1971:
    1972:
    1973:
    1974:
    1975: 64,601 (8,339 C11 Coupe, 40,809 C77 Hatch, 15,322 C15 Safari)
            Included in total: 131 Panel wagons
    1976: 50,384 (18,143 C11 Coupe, 19,116 C77 Hatch, 13,125 C15 Safari)
    1977: 32,788 (10,327 C11 Coupe, 12,120 C77 Hatch, 10,341 C15 Safari) 
  

• Monza (731,504 over six model years)

    1975: 66,615 (41,658 with L4, 24,957 with V8)
    1976: 80,905 (46,735 M27 Coupe, 34,170 R07 Hatch) 
            Included in total: 2339 Spyders, 7,277 V8 Coupes, 
            and 10,085 V8 Hatches
    1977: 73,348 (34,133 M27 Coupe, 39,215 R07 Hatch) 
            Included in total: 7089 Spyders
    1978: 177,385 (36,227 M07 Hatch, 2,326 M77 'S' Hatch, 37,878 M27 Coupe,
            24,255 M15 Wagon, 2,478 M15/YC6 Estate Wagon, 6,823 R27 Coupe, 
            28,845 R07 Hatch)
            Included in total: 6391 Z01/Z02 Spyders and 990 Z01-only Spyders
    1979: 163,833 (56,871 M07 Hatch, 61,110 M27 Coupe, 15,190 M15 Wagon,
            30,662 R07 Hatch)
            Included in total: 8670 Z01/Z02 Spyders, 1009 Z01-only Spyders
    1980: 169,418 (53,415 M07 Hatch, 95,469 M27 Coupe, 20,534 R07 Hatch)
            Included in total: 7589 Spyders
  

• Starfire (125,188 total over six model years)

    1975: 31,081 (no modelbreakdown available)
    1976: 29,159 (8,305 T07 Coupe, 20,854 D07 SX Coupe)
    1977: 19,091 (4,910 T07 Coupe, 14,181 D07 SX Coupe)
    1978: 17,321 (9,265 T07 Coupe, 8,056 D07 SX Coupe)
    1979: 20,299 (13,144 T07 Coupe, 7,155 D07 SX Coupe)
    1980: 8,237 (no model breakdown available)
  

• Skyhawk (125,311 total over six model years)

    1975: 29,448 (no model breakdown available) 
    1976: 15,769 (no model breakdown available)
    1977: 24,044 (no model breakdown available)
    1978: 24,589 (no model breakdown available)
    1979: 23,139 (4,766 T07 'S' Hatch, 18,373 S07 Hatch)
    1980: 8,322 (no model breakdown available)
  

• Sunbird (479,967 total over five model years)

    1976: 52,031 (all M27 Coupe)
    1977: 55,398 (41,708 M27 Coupe, 13,690 M07 Hatch)
    1978: 86,789 (20,413 E27 Coupe, 25,380 M07 Hatch, 32,572 M27 Sport Coupe,
            8,424 M15 Wagon)
    1979: 97,770 (40,560 E27 Coupe, 24,221 M07 Hatch, 30,087 M27 Sport Coupe,
            2,902 M15 Wagon)
    1980: 187,979 (105,847 E27 Coupe, 52,952 M07 and E07 Hatch, 
            29180 M27 Sport Coupe)
  

• 1975 Monza 350: 3000 ???
• 1977 Monza Mirage: 2400 ???
• 1978 Monza Mirage: 1697 ordered but none produced (total 4097) ???

The Monza was intended to showcase GM's new 206ci 2-rotor Wankel engine. For example, the transmission tunnel was made larger to house the engine and its transmission. However, the engine never reached production. In 1976, the transmission tunnel was reduced in size to make more interior room.

The 1999 Chevrolet Monza is sold in Mexico. It looks a lot like a Chevy (Geo) Metro sedan but it's not the same car. It has a 1.6l 4 cylinder TBI engine putting out 78 hp and 91 lb*ft of torque. Don't expect to see it in the U.S. See http://www.chevrolet.com.mx/genuino/monza/monza.html

The 1984 Opel (a GM make) Monza was only sold overseas and looks a lot like the 1984 Chevy Cavalier with a longer hood. However it has a 180hp 3.0l SOHC I6 engine, rear wheel drive, and independent rear suspension. It was built to compete with the BMW 5-series and mid-sized Mercedes. A 3.9l engine with 210hp and much more torque was optional in the Bitter SC, a tuner-version of the car by Erich Bitter.

In 1984, GM planned to introduce a new H-body in 1988. It was meant to be a FWD replacement for the B-body (Chevrolet Caprice and clones). It came out as the 1986 Buick LeSabre, 1986 Oldsmobile Delta 88, and 1987 Pontiac Bonneville. Note that it did not replace the B-body and has nothing to do with the original H-body.

And, finally, many older people who hear "Monza" think of the Corvair Monza, 1961-1969. The Monza Sport Coupe version of the Corvair was the best-selling model, so many people think of the Corvair when they hear "Monza."

So, there was no H-body like "ours" before or since the real thing!

For 1971 Cars:

  1 4 1 1 1 1 U 1 0 0 0 0 1
  | \_/ \_/ | | \_________/
  |  |   |  | |      |
  |  |   |  | |      +-------- Production Sequence
  |  |   |  | |
  |  |   |  | +--------------- Assembly Plant
  |  |   |  |                    U = Lordstown, Ohio, USA
  |  |   |  |                    2 = St Therese, Quebec, Canada
  |  |   |  | 
  |  |   |  +----------------- Model Year
  |  |   |                       1 = 1971
  |  |   |
  |  |   +-------------------- Body Style
  |  |                           11 = 2D Sedan
  |  |                           77 = 2D Coupe
  |  |                           15 = 2D Station Wagon
  |  |
  |  +------------------------ Carline Series
  |                              41 = Vega
  |                              ??? = Astre
  |
  +--------------------------- Make
                                 1 = Chevrolet
                                 2 = Pontiac

For 1972-1980 Cars:

  1 M 2 7 V A 7 1 0 0 0 0 1
  | | \_/ | | | \_________/
  | |  |  | | |      |
  | |  |  | | |      +------ Production Sequence
  | |  |  | | |
  | |  |  | | +------------- Assembly Plant
  | |  |  | |                  N = Norwood, Ohio, USA 
  | |  |  | |                  U = Lordstown, Ohio, USA 
  | |  |  | |                  1 = Oshhawa, Ontario, Canada
  | |  |  | |                  2 = St Therese, Quebec, Canada
  | |  |  | |                  4 = Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
  | |  |  | |                  7 = Lordstown, Ohio, USA ???
  | |  |  | |
  | |  |  | +--------------- Model Year
  | |  |  |                    2 = 1972
  | |  |  |                    3 = 1973
  | |  |  |                    4 = 1974
  | |  |  |                    5 = 1975
  | |  |  |                    6 = 1976
  | |  |  |                    7 = 1977
  | |  |  |                    8 = 1978
  | |  |  |                    9 = 1979
  | |  |  |                    A = 1980
  | |  |  |
  | |  |  +----------------- Engine Code
  | |  |                       A = 140ci (2.3l) Chevrolet L4 1bbl (1971-1976)
  | |  |                       A = 231ci (3.8l) Buick V6 2bbl (1978-1980)
  | |  |                       B = 140ci (2.3l) Chevrolet L4 2bbl 
  | |  |                       C = 231ci (3.8l) Buick V6 2bbl (1975-1977)
  | |  |                       C = 196ci (3.2l) Buick V6 2bbl (1978-1980)
  | |  |                       F = 260ci (4.3l) Oldsmobile V8 2bbl
  | |  |                       G = 262ci (4.3l) Chevrolet V8 2bbl (1975-1976)
  | |  |                       G = 305ci (5.0l) Chevrolet V8 2bbl (1979)
  | |  |                       H = 350ci (5.7l) Chevrolet V8 2bbl (1975/California)
  | |  |                       I = 151ci (2.5l) Pontiac L4 2bbl 
  | |  |                       K = 350ci (5.7l) Chevrolet V8 4bbl
  | |  |                       O = 122ci (2.0l) Cosworth/Chevrolet L4 EFI 
  | |  |                       Q = 305ci (5.0l) Chevrolet V8 2bbl 
  | |  |                       U = 305ci (5.0l) Chevrolet V8 2bbl 
  | |  |                       V = 151ci (2.5l) Pontiac L4 2bbl 
  | |  |
  | |  +-------------------- Body Type
  | |                          11 = 2D Sedan/Notchback (Vega & Astre)
  | |                          77 = 2D Coupe/Hatchback (Vega & Astre)
  | |                          15 = 2D Station Wagon (Vega, Astre, & Monza)
  | |                          V5 = 2D Panel Wagon (Vega & Astre)
  | |                          07 = 2D 2+2 Hatchback (Monza etc.)
  | |                          27 = 2D Coupe/Notchback (Monza etc.)
  | |
  | +----------------------- Carline Series
  |                            C = Astre
  |                            D = Starfire SX
  |                            H = Vega Panel Wagon \
  |                            H = Astre            |---- Depends on make
  |                            H = Skyhawk          /
  |                            M = Monza 'S' Coupe or Hatch (round lights)
  |                            M = Sunbird 
  |                            R = Monza 2+2 Hatchback (quad lights)
  |                            T = Starfire 
  |                            V = Vega
  |
  +------------------------- Make
                               1 = Chevrolet
                               2 = Pontiac
                               3 = Oldsmobile 
                               4 = Buick

There are two styles based on the plant. However, Brian Melka (Bacchus_101573) notes that his '75 Canadian-built car has a tag like that shown below for the Ohio cars. So, check both...

• Lordstown, OH plant (Vegas 1971-1977, Monzas 1978-up)

  Examine this sample tag (found on or near firewall on most cars):

      ______________________________________
     /                                      \
    |  ST   78  1HR07   U      344361   BDY  |
    |  TR   19V A51           77L 77U   PNT  |
    |       05B       19X     69-3681        |
    |               191601     02BLK         |
     \______________________________________/
  
    Top line, left to right:
      * ST = printed on all tags, probably means "style"
      * 78 = Year of production
      * 1HR07 = Make, carline series, and bodystyle (see VIN decoding)
      * U = Assembly plant (see VIN decoding)
      * 344361 = Production Sequence
      * BODY = printed on all tags
  
    Second line, left to right:
      * TR = printed on all tags, probably means "trim"
      * 19V = Trim Combination Number (see option codes)
      * A51 = Modular Seat Code (see option codes)
      * 77L = Lower Body Color (see option codes)   	  
      * 77U = Upper Body or Fabric Top Color (see option codes)   	  
      * PAINT = printed on all tags
  
    Third line, left to right:
      * 05B = Time Built Code--produced in week B (second week) of month 05 (May)
      * 19X = Option Designation for plant use; probably means Black carpet 
          (see option codes for more)
      * 69-3681 = Option Designation for plant use; 69th day of production 
          for this model year (or possibly 169th or 269th) + a scheduling number of 3681
  
    Fourth line, left to right:
      * 191601 = Option Designation for plant use; 91,601st car for that 
          model and model year 
      * 02BLK = Option Designation for plant use; option code Z02 
          (Spyder appearance package) in Black ???
    

• Ste. Therese, Quebec plant (Monzas 1975-1977)

  Examine this sample tag (found on or near firewall on most cars):

      _______________
     /               \
    |   01C 106 449   |
    |  1HR07  025393  |
    |   11L 11U 71V   |
     \_______________/
  
    Top line, left to right:
      * 01C = Time Built Code--produced in week C (third week) of month 01 (Jan)
      * 106 = Day of production for this model year
      * 449 = Option Designation for plant use (???)
  
    Second line, left to right:
      * 1HR07 = Make, carline series, and bodystyle (see VIN decoding)
      * 025393 = Production Sequence
  
    Third line, left to right:
      * 11L = Lower Body Color (see option codes)   	  
      * 11U = Upper Body or Fabric Top Color (see option codes)   	  
      * 71V = Trim Combination Number (see option codes)
  

Many are the same as Monza codes (below), but these are probably unique to Vegas:

    BX3 Woodgrain
    
    D88 GT Stripes
    
    Y10 Door and Quarter Custom Buildup
    
    Z10 Spirit of America appearance package
    Z29 GT package ?

    11L White paint (lower body)
    11U White paint (upper body)
    11V Black Vinyl interior
    15L Silver Metallic paint (lower body)
    15U Silver Metallic paint (upper body)
    16L Medium Gray Metallic paint (lower body)
    16U Medium Gray Metallic paint (upper body)
    19X Black carpet floor
    19V Black Vinyl interior
    21L Silver Blue Metallic paint (lower body)
    21U Silver Blue Metallic paint (upper body)
    24L Medium Blue Metallic paint (lower body)
    24U Medium Blue Metallic paint (upper body)
    26L Bright Blue Metallic paint (lower body)
    26U Bright Blue Metallic paint (upper body)
    44L Medium Green Metallic paint (lower body)
    44U Medium Green Metallic paint (upper body)
    49L Dark Green Metallic paint (lower body)
    49U Dark Green Metallic paint (upper body)
    50L Yellow paint (lower body)
    50U Yellow paint (upper body)
    51L Bright Yellow paint (lower body)
    51U Bright Yellow paint (upper body)
    59L Beige paint (lower body)
    59U Beige paint (upper body)
    61L Light Buckskin paint (lower body)
    61U Light Buckskin paint (upper body)
    62C Tan Cloth interior
    62N Tan Vinyl interior
    63L Tan paint (lower body)
    63U Tan paint (upper body)
    64W Buckskin Vinyl Interior ???
    65L Buckskin paint (lower body)
    65U Buckskin paint (upper body)
    69L Dark Brown Metallic paint (lower body)
    69U Dark Brown Metallic paint (upper body)
    71V Firethorn Vinyl interior
    72L Medium Red paint (lower body)
    72U Medium Red paint (upper body)
    74J Red Durham Cloth interior
    75L Light Red paint (lower body)
    75U Light Red paint (upper body)
    77L Carmine Metallic paint (lower body)
    77U Carmine Metallic paint (upper body)
    78L Medium Orange paint (lower body)
    78U Medium Orange paint (upper body)
    79L Dark Carmine paint (lower body)
    79U Dark Carmine paint (upper body)
    80L Orange Metallic paint (lower body)
    80U Orange Metallic paint (upper body)
    85L Gray paint (lower body)
    85U Gray paint (upper body)
    
    A01 Glass, Soft-Ray Tinted
    A44 Adj pass seat
    A51 St supp ctr bkt
    AB8 RR quarter window
    AD1 Tinted Glass
    AD3 Vista-Vent sunroof with removable top
    AK1 Deluxe Seat Belts
    AN6 Adjustable Seat Back

    B37 Mat, Front and Rear Floor
    B80 Roof Drip Molding 
    B84 Body Side Molding
    B85 Moulding, Belt Reveal
    B90 Side Window Reveal Molding
    B93 Moulding, Door Edge
    B94 Body Emblem
    B96 Wheel Opening Molding
    BS1 Acoustical Insulation Package
    BS2 Acoustical Insulation Package
    BY1 Body Emblem

    C06 Astroroof (Skyhawk only; like a fixed glass Targa top)
    C09 S/T Toof Padded
    C18 Black Windshield Wiper
    C60 Air Conditioning
    C80 Front Door Jam Switch
    C49 Rear Window Defroster
    CD4 Intermittent Wipers
    CF4 Sky Roof with sliding glass panel

    D31 Mirror, Inside Day/Night Rear View
    D35 Sport Mirrors
    D55 Sport Console
    D80 Front and rear spoilers, body color
    D92 f dh tp decor
    
    E1Y Adaptor
    E6F Sleeve

    F41 Heavy duty suspension
    F59 Front stabilizer bar, 1.25" diameter

    G80 Positraction rear axle
    GH2 Axle, 2.29 Ratio
    GM8 Axle, 2.56 Ratio
    GU2 Axle, 2.73 Ratio
    GU4 Axle, 3.08 Ratio
    GW9 Axle, 2.93 Ratio
    GX9 Axle, 2.92 Ratio
    
    J50 Power Brakes
    JL2 Power Brakes

    K19 Air Injection Reactor
    K81 Generator, 63 Amp
    
    L11 2.3l 4-cyl engine, 2 BBL
    L65 350ci (5.7l) V8 engine 
    LC9 3.2l V6 engine
    LD5 3.8l evenfire V6 engine
    LD7 3.8l oddfire V6 engine
    LG3 305ci (5.0l) V8 engine
    LX8 2.5l Iron Duke L4 engine
    LV1 262ci (4.3l) V8 engine
  
    M16 TH200 automatic transmission
    M20 4 speed manual transmission
    M29 TH200 automatic transmission
    M38 THM 350 automatic transmission
    M40 THM 350 automatic transmission
    M75 Borg-Warner T-50 5-speed manual transmission

    N31 Sport steering wheel
    N33 Tilt steering wheel
    N41 Power Steering
    N65 Wheel, Space Saver Spare
    N66 Wheel, rally (Starfire GT only - chrome) 
    N73 Wheel, cast aluminum (Sunbird, Skyhawk)
    N77 Wheel, forged aluminum (Monza, Skyhawk)
    N98 Rally II wheels with trim rings
    NB2 California Emissions Systems
    NK3 Sport steering wheel

    P06 Wheel Trim Ring
    PA3 Cover, Deluxe Wheel Trim

    QAG A78 whitewall tires
    QKX BR70-13" blackwall radials
    QRA Wide oval radial tires with raised white letters

    R07 Sport hatchback

    T63 Buzzer, Headlamp On

    U14 Tachometer and gauge package
    U26 Lamp, Engine Compartment
    U35 Clock, Electric (non-digital - in guage cluster)
    U58 Radio, AM/FM Stereo
    U63 AM Radio
    U69 Radio, AM/FM
    U76 Antenna, Windshield
    U80 Speaker, Rear Seat
    UA1 Heavy Duty Battery
    UE8 Clock, Electric Digital (above glove box)
    UM1 Radio, AM w/Stereo Tape
    UM2 Radio, AM/FM Stereo w/Tape

    V01 HD Radiator
    V19 Calif. Emissions Compliance
    V30 Bumper guards
    V55 Rooftop Luggage Carrier
    VE5 Bumper pad
    VK3 Front license plate
    VK5 Vert-a-pact

    W66 Sunbird Formula package
    W84 Additional ga ???
    WJ3 Leather interior, Starfire 

    Y02 Front Custom Seat
    Y03 Rear Custom Seat
    Y64 Starfire GT option package (LD5, N66, QRA, U14, U35)
    Y65 Starfire Firenza option package (D35, QKX)
    Y92 Lamp Group
    YA7 Calif. Asm. Emissions
    YC6 Estate Wagon
    YF5 Calif. Emissions Certification
    YJ8 Wheels, Cast Aluminum (Sunbird)
    YR2 Deluxe Front Seat
    YS1 Custom Rear Seat

    Z01 Monza Spyder equipment package (D55, F41, N31)
    Z02 Monza Spyder appearance package (D35, D80, N98)
    Z05 Leather interior, Monza 
    Z29 Monza Spyder option package (D35, D80, F41, F59, N98)
    Z49 Canadian preparation
    Z60 Sport Equipment option
    Z87 Facia, flexible front end (quad headlamp)
    Z87 Sport Cabriolet option ???
    ZJ9 Lighting Group, Auxiliary
    ZM5 Exterior Decor
    ZX1 Monza Mirage package (IMSA AAGT-like body panels)

It's a stack of information GM may send you about your car. Call GM at (800) 222-1020 and give them your make and model (some people were asked for a VIN).

Some alternate info from Denis (calgary_spyder): If you're in Canada, try (888) 467-6853.

Some of the information included: when and where you car was built, where it was sold, production numbers, decoding of information on the build sheet, a 16-page booklet on the car for that year, and how to paint the car. The package came from GM but was billed by Vintage Vehicle Services of Oshawa, Ontario. This may not be the "official restoration pack."

Most of this information was contributed by Al Howe (alfred_howe).

  All Chevy:
    01/92 ???
    04/92 ???
    10/92 ???
    12/92 ???

  Automotive News:
    03/02/81 "Vega, Pinto called 'damn jokes' (no answer to Japanese imports)" 
  
  Autoweek: 
    08/74 ???

  Car Craft:
    01/71 Dick Harrel V8 Vega
    04/72 Grumpy's Pro Stock Vega beats Hemi
    11/72 Blown 72 Panel Wagon
    06/73 Scuncio Vega (from Scuncio Chevrolet in Rhode Island)
    01/74 Road test of 454 V8 4-speed Motion Performance Vega, IECO 190 HP 4 cylinder vega
    02/74 Radici & Wise Vega Funny Car story. Story about David Cowan and his Pro Stock vega
    03/74 Marshall Gardner's Motion 350 Vega (p.100)
    04/74 Cosworth Vega road test, U.S.A.F. sponsored Vega Funny Car
    06/74 74 Vega GT ad. Vega Funny car photo shoot. Story about 
          Steve Norris and his 74 V8 Vega.
    09/74 "Chevy V8 Monza" (Factory info and Pro Stock buildup) pg. 44 
    03/75 Mini Car shoppers guide including all H-Bodies, Bud Shelton and 
          his street/strip Astre, Starfire ad
    06/75 Jerry Gwynn's Monza Funny Car, Motion ad
    08/75 Gary Wilson and his Pro Street Vega, Ted Dzus and his 71 Street/Strip Vega Panel Wagon
    12/75 ???
    02/76 Gary Bryson, build up of Buick Skyhawk V6
    03/76 Bill Shanks Vega panel funny car, Don Prudhomme's Monza Funny Car
    05/76 Starfire ad, Motion ad, Vega GT ad, Mark & Bill Yuill and their Pro Stock Monza
    07/76 Vega ad
    10/76 Monza Spyder and Pontiac Sunburd road test, H-Bodies at drag strip
    11/76 Monza Spyder ad, Bob Mann's 402 V8 Vega
    04/77 Bill Meyer and his Vega funny car, Sunbird ad, Dick Callagy
          and his Monza funny car, John Lingenfelter and his Pro Stock Monza
    05/77 Pro Stock Monza crash photos
    07/77 Albert Clark and his Pro Stock Monza, several Pro Stock H-bodies
    08/77 V8 Monza road test, Warren Johnson and his big block pro stock Vega 
          match race car, John carpenters V8 vega gt street car, 
          Green elephant funny car vega story 
    09/77 Hooker V8 Vega build up
    07/78 Monza Spyder V8 road test; Ray Lockes and Rick Delis
          and their Pro Stock V8 Monzas
    12/78 "Vega Invasion" Sam Gianino's Pro Stock Monza, Starfire Ad,
          Grumpy Jenkins, Jack Trost's modified production Vega, 
          Yenko turbo Vega, seven street Vegas.
    08/79 Budget Vega build up
    03/80 Don Hardy V8 Vega build up part one
    07/80 Story about Ernie Lamoureuz and his black v8 Vega.
    02/82 77 big block V8 Vega street driven 9.32 at 152 mph.
          How to on opening up the wheel wells on a Vega for bigger tires.
    07/82 "Image Maker" Leatherwork's '75 Pro Street Monza pg. 72
    12/82 Ron Didonato and his 72 V8 Vega. IMSA inspired V8 Monza by Bob Boen.
    1982 Street Freaks special edition; 2 Vegas + rear-engined big block Vega
    08/83 How to build a V6 Vega
    09/84 Don Hardy 12-bolt on Vega, curing wheel hop
    03/85 "Deliverance" Bobby Bowman's '75 Pro Street Monza pg. 52
    08/86 Photo gallery blurb about Greg Tolman's 72 Vega
    05/98 Engine swaps (general, not specific to H-body)
    09/99 Photo gallery blurb about 454 Vega "EEK ARAT"
    10/99 1975 Monza 262 is one of the 10 worst V8s
    01/00 Photo gallery blurb on an '71 Vega
    02/00 H Body in Readers' Rides section
    05/00 Monzabudd's and Bob Gumm's websites in Readers section
    06/00 Kyle Howe's 73 Vega pg. 13
	  	  
  Car and Driver: 
    09/70 Vega and Pinto road test
    01/71 Small car comparison
    10/72 72 Astre in a Quaker State ad
    09/74 ???
    02/75 ???
    03/75 ???
    09/76 Yellow Spyder
    11/77 ???
    02/78 ???
    04/78 ???
    07/78 ???

  Cars:
    01/75 ???
    12/75 First test of Vega/Monza 5-speed OD transmission
    07/76 ???
    05/77 Andy White's Monza Pro Stock crash
    07/77 Monza Spyder vs. Mustang II
    08/78 ???
    1984 Chevy Yearbook: Mike Reidys and his 73 V8 Vega

  Chevy High Performance:
    05/99 Useful transmission swap info
    03/01 Club member Larry (vega_man_larry) gets into article "Forgotten Vegas"

  Chevy Power:
    11/74 1975 Monza introduction
    
  Chevroland Nues:
    10/77 Experimental Aluminum 350 V8 Monza with Mirage Panels
    
  Collectable Automobile:
    02/90 "Likeable Look-Alikes," "Cheap Wheels"
    04/00 Large Vega article

  Consumer Guide Magazine:
    01/80 "General Motors Corporation" Monza and clones evaluation/description
    03/80 "Chevrolet Monza" evaluation (p.30)
    03/80 "Oldsmobile Starfire" evaluation (p.174)
    04/80 "New cars" Monza and clones
    05/80 "Buick Skyhawk: it files into the sunset next year" (p.196)
    05/80 "Chevrolet Monza: space takes a back seat to styling" (p.202)
    05/80 "Oldsmobile Starfire: mostly unchanged, and that's the trouble" (p.174)
    05/80 "Pontiac Sunbird: on the way out--and none too soon" (p.161)
    07/80 "Used cars: Rating the best 100" Monza 
    08/80 "Oldsmobile" comparison p.53
    07/81 "Used car rating the price guide, 1971-1981" (p.64)
    05/83 "Used cars: rating guide" 
    
  Consumer Reports:
    Annual Auto issue (77, 78, or 79 ???): Application of decals
      to H-bodies during manufacturing
    04/80 "Which cars are safest?" Monza (p.221)
    04/82 "Good bets in used cars (1976-80 models)" Vega (p.208)
    04/83 "Good bets in used cars (1977-82 models)" Monza (p.209)

  Custom Rodder:
    05/82 Monza Mirage build up

  Consumers Digest:
    01/80 "American Automobiles" Monza and clones

  Drag Racing USA:
    06/71 First look at a Vega funny car
	  
  Grassroots Motorsports:
    05/97 "Monzter - Ken Mersereau's ITA Chevy Monza"

  High Performance Cars
    08/72 Turbo 4-cyl Vega show car, story on Grumpy Jenkins
    11/72 Don Hardy's first V8 Vega, how to build a Vega funny car
          fiberglass body, several Vega funny cars, Briggs Chevrolet's
          (Amboy NJ) Vega 4-cyl project
    12/72 Hiner/Miller Pro Stock Vega
    01/73 Motion Performance 350 V8 Vega
    05/73 Atco Dragway Nationals with Jungle Jim and several other Vegas,
          Wonder Bread-sponsored Vega wagon funny car
    08/73 Grumpy Jenkins and his shop in PA
    01/74 Motion Performance 454 V8 Vega
    03/74 Briggs' finished project car (see 11/72) Vega SS
    10/74 Road tests of 1975 Monza 2+2, Olds Starfire, Buick Skyhawk,
          1974 summer nationals with several Vegas

  Hot Cars:
    10/73 Story about Hory's Chevrolet and their v8 vega wagon.
          AD: Scuncio Chevrolet V8 vega conversion cars--starting price $3995.00

  Hot Rod:
    11/70 Vega road test, muscle parts review
    03/71 Vega and Pinto Funny Car review
    07/72 GM prototype all-aluminum 302 V8 in Vega road test, buyers guide
    10/73 Grumpy Jenkins Vega at NHRA Nationals
    04/??? Funny car pictorial, first look at 16 valve Cosworth head
    06/76 "Monza Fever"--how the IMSA body panels are added to a Monza
    12/76 Monza Mirage "The Great Escape" pg. 44
    07/79 ???
    03/80 "Parts Car" Camaro engine in Vega. (p.119)
    05/80 "The Ultimate Street Machine" V8 Vega: Don Hardy 74 Vega, 
          V8 Vega Swap buyers guide (p.28, 47)
    08/80 "Go four it." Modified Vega (p.52)
    09/80 "Backfire!" Chevrolet Vega (p.64)
    ???/81 Story about Phil Ferrari and his bright yellow V8 Vega.
    02/81 "Randy's Dandy" Monza (p.81)
    08/81 "Volksvega" VW engine in a Vega body (p.88)
    09/81 "Chevys!" (p.51)
    02/82 "Outlaw Vega: One of the most wanted Chevys in the West" (p.60)
    02/83 "Northern Light" (p.32) Chris Fletcher's yellow Big-Block Vega
    05/83 "Road Warriors" (p.69)
    07/83 "Subtle Shuttle" 1976 Monza (p.62)
    05/85 Buick 215 V8 into Vega
    02/87 "Nitrous Bandit" 1977 Olds Starfire (p.110)
    08/87 "This Pro Style '78 is One Mighty Monza" (p.97)
    08/87 "Slyhawk: a 12-second Buick-powered Skyhawk" (p.73)
    01/88 Chevrolet prototype Z-29 V8 Vega (picture and subprint) pg. 52,
          Monza Mirage (pic and subprint) pg. 55, Gary Kimball's Pro Stock 
          NHRA Vega pg. 51
    04/88 "Scared Straight" Vega hot rod (p.54)
    11/99 "Popular Swapular," little info about H-bodies
    01/00 Vega GT Wagon powered by a supercharged Buick 215 (4 pages)
    ????? Hot Rod special edition/Chevrolet No 4: Complete story The Ultimate Street 
          Machine Don Hardy V8 Vega. Story about Larry Bradshaw and his Super Pro 71 
          Vega Panel van 454 V8 9.70 at over 140 MPH in the Quarter.
          Story on where to locate all V8 vega vendors.Story on how to build a 190HP 
          4 cylinder vega, built by IECO. Story about Wayne Overbeck and his rear 
          engine V8 vega.
	  
  Motor Trend:
    08/70 Road test of Vega Sedan, Wagon, and GT Coupe, interview with
          John Delorean
    01/71 Road test of Vega and Pinto
    02/71 Car of the Year (Vega) road test, comparison, engineering study
    12/74 1975 Vega ad
    03/75 ???
    06/75 California 350 Monza
    10/75 ???
    09/76 Monza Spyder Coupe
    12/76 "Monza Mirage"?
    01/77 Monza Super Spyder II pg.64, Racemark Monza (Road Racing Monza 
          designed by Mark Donohue & Bob Baily) pg. 73
    08/79 '79 Monza Spyder V6 review  pg. 74 
    07/80 "Econo coupes under $4500" Monza (p.65)
    11/84 "Bitter perspectives" foreign-market Opel Monza (p.46)
    09/99 "Cars of the Year (cars of the past)" Brief writeup about
          1971 COTY Vega--doesn't mention 1975 COTY Monza (p.79)

  Popular Hot Rodding:
    02/73 Vega funny car review
    04/73 Jungle Jim Pro Stock 72 Vega Wagon
    04/74 Joel Rosen's 1974 Motion Station Wagon Super Vega (w/Turbo),
          Jim Nichol's Speed Equipment World Revell Vega, Warren Johnson's Big
          Block 1973 vega hatchback Pro Stock car. 
    ??/74 Motion performance ads; Grumpy's Toy (Vega) center pull-out
    02/77 ???
    01/78 Monza Project Car part 1/4
    02/78 Monza Project Car part 2/4
    03/78 Axle and gear change for Vega and Monza, V8 Monza in Centerline ad,
          Monza Project Car part 3/4
    04/78 Send drag Vega funny cars, Monza Project Car part 4/4
    06/78 Bryan Thatcher and his 77 Vega Wagon
    08/78 Pro gas drag racing H-Body style, Randy Diephuis and his Pontiac V8 powered 
          Astre drag car
    10/78 Bob Stanek and his Vega drag car
    12/78 Bob Zooks and his C-Gas Monza Drag Car
    01/79 How to Install a Don Hardy 12-bolt into an H-Body, Motion ad
    02/79 402 BB in a street/strip Vega, Skyhawk drag race car
    03/79 Complete install of Don Hardy V8 kit, Hooker Headers V6 Vega 
          with body kit
    04/79 Reggie Jackson (of baseball fame) and his BBVega, Ronnie Reed and 
          his Pro Gas Vega, Al Garcia nad his Vega drag car, Doug Nash 5 speed 
          in a V8 Monza
    05/79 Hooker-built V6 Vega story. Oakland roadster show with Randy Brockman 
          and his D/gas Vega on the show floor. Ed Figgins and his radical custom 
          Vega wagon. How to on tuning a tunnel ram with an automatic tranny 74 Vega.
    07/79 Greg Cragg and his 71 Vega show and drag car
    08/79 How to install a turbo charger in a stock 4 cylinder 72 vega, Bernie Agaman's 
          Pro Stock Monza
    10/80 Story about Robert Myers and his vega drag racing wagon.
          Motion Performance ad: 74 small block blown wagon
    02/81 ???
    12/84 Story about Mark Runges and his blown small block Vega.
    01/85 Curtis Hull's 71 Pro Street V8 Vega
    06/88 Story about Mike Herbert's 74 Vega V8.
    10/89 Pro Street Spyder "Monza Mania"
    10/99 "Tech Letters" contains a basic rundown of how to put a V8 into a Vega
    12/99 Nice picture of Scott Shafiroff's 74 Pro-Stock Vega at 
          1974 Winternationals (2nd to last page)
    09/00 Hometown Hot Rodding: 1971 Vega V8 belonging to Mike Smith in SC
    
  Popular Mechanics:
    09/70 Test of 3 pre-production Vegas (GT, sedan, wagon), info on 
          Lordstown plant and its robotics.
    09/79 Pontiac Sunbird V8 Owners Report
    
  Popular Science:
    ??/77 Mini Muscle Cars Test (Monza Spyder V8, Cobra II V8, AMX Hornet V8,
          Plymouth Volare Road Runner V8)
	  
  Road & Track:
    09/74 ???
    01/75 ???
    06/75 ???
    08/76 ???
    04/94 "Us vs. Them," B. Levy.
    
  Road Test:
    11/74 Monza vs. Mustang II
    04/75 Pontiac Astre
    01/77 Monza Mirage and Mustang II 
    04/77 Monza Spyder Road Test (4 pages)

  Rod Action:
    Summer 1976 Special issue (street machines) David Schopp and his 
                clean V8 Vega panel wagon.

  Speed and Supercar Magazine:
    08/73 Motion Super Vega (4 pages, 12 photos)	  

  Street Freaks:
    Summer 82 Dave Russell and his V8 Vega story

  Street Machine:
    11/75 Article on The Vegabonds (the very first H Body car club)in California
    03/76 Cosworth Vega hop-up parts wiht part numbers
    05/77 Story about Dave Volk and his V8 Vega
    Summer 78 How to build a 9-second street/strip Vega with a big block,
              how to clean up looks of IMSA body panels for Monza

  Street Racer:
    03/78 How to build a big block Vega.
    11/78 Story about how to build a big block Vega the right way.
          Story about Chuck Reeves and his 1972 Vega wagon that he transformed 
          into a V8 powered Vega pickup(looks like a mini El Camino).

  Super Chevy: 
    04/74 Project Vega build-up
    06/74 More project Vegas
    08/74 Emissions-legal hop-ups
    10/74 How to replace air cleaner with replaceable paper element
    12/74 1975 Monza road test
    02/75 Factory-built V8 Vega road test
    04/75 Interview with Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins
    10/75 V8 Monza road test
    12/75 Motion ads
    04/77 ???
    08/77 ???
    10/78 ???
    12/78 ???
    02/79 ???
    10/98 Chris Wheaton's '75 Cosworth, page 149
    01/99 Motion Vega; "Bow Tie Keepers" section shows Alfred and Kyle Howe's 
          three cars
    04/99 Motion Performance cars, includes 350 LT1 Vega
    12/99 "Cosworths A Plenty" (brief writeup) in Bow-Tie Briefs section   
          "Top 10 Chevys of All Time" mentions Cosworth Vega   
    01/00 seven Vegas at Super Chevy Show (p.115)
    11/00 History of Chevy part 11, story of Grumpy Jenkins and his Vega.
          V8 Vega on p.73. Page 10 Bowtie Keeper section they have a photo and 
          story about Ernie and Dianna Nunes V8 Vega.


  Super Stock:
    07/73 Small car comparison (9 cars), Vega funny car on fire on track
    03/74 Speed Specialties of Woodbridge Va builds a 10 sec 130 
          mph street driveable V8 Vega. NHRA Supernationals Ontario Motor Speedway. 
          Grumpy's Toy was runner up to a Mopar. Scott Shafiroff and his Pro stock 
          Vega. Gainsville Nationals Wonder Wagon Vega funny car driven by Raymond 
          Beadle won.

  Super Street Cars:
    01/81 Marshall Gardner and his V8 Vega

• Building the V6 Vega

  John Thawley
  Orig. Pub: 1985/10/01 Revised, Paperback ~ 1994
  Publishers: Steve Smith Autosports
  Avail Formats: Paperback Textbook
  ISBN: 0936834293
  This book has been printed as recently as 11/99 due to increased demand!
  

• Chevy V8 Vega: How To Build The Ultimate Street and Street/Strip Machine

  Martyn L. Schorr editor, Performance Media/Performance Publications, Baldwin, NY, 1979.
  

• Chilton's Repair & Tune-Up Guide: GM Subcompact 1971-80

  Martin J Gunther editor, Chilton Book Company, Radnor, PA, 1983.
  Basic repair information for all H-bodies except the Cosworth Vega.

• Complete Chevrolet Book, The: History, Styling, Performance

  Hans Tanner, Peterson, 1974. Out of print.
  Contains some info on swapping a V8 into a Vega, including information about the Herbert & Meek mounts.

• Engine Swapping Tips and Techniques

  R M Clarke, Brookland Books, 1990.
  Covers basic considerations for engine swaps compiled from Peterson's Complete Books of Engine Swapping. Has one chapter specifically about putting a 307 V8 into a Vega.

• Helm's Shop Manuals (the "real thing")

  These manuals, as well as owners manuals, are published by Helm for all GM H-bodies as well as many other cars. You can search for your particular car at http://www.helminc.com.

• Peterson's Complete Guide to the Vega. Published 1977.

  Library of Congress Catalog Card # 75-8141
  ISBN 0-8227-0098-0

• Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975

  John A Gunnel editor, Krause Publications, Iola, WI, 1987.
  Information on all models including production numbers, option packages, technical details, etc.

• Standard Catalog of American Cars 1976-1986

  James M Flammang editor, Krause Publications, Iola, WI, 1988.
  Information on all models including production numbers, option packages, technical details, etc. Has more information than the 1946-1975 book.

  AMT:    
    2214    Monza SS (IMSA) 
    T488    Monza 2+2 

  Ertl:
    ???     Promotional Monza hatchbacks 76-79

  Johnny Lightning:
    ???	    1:25 scale Jungle Jim Vega die-cast 
    ???     1:25 scale Barry Setzer Vega
    ???     1:64 scale 1977 Jungle Jim Monza funny car

  Mattel:
    ???     1974 Vega Bomb (if light green instead of orange, worth $800-$2000!)
 
  Monogram:
    7571    Vega Funny Car 1974

  MPC:    
    1-0711  Long Shot Monza 
    1-0722  Street Spyder IMSA 
    1-0757  Monza Pro Street IMSA 
    1-0810  Twister Vega 
    1-7616  1976 3-in-1 Monza
    1-7716  1977 Monza 2+2
    1-7827  1978 Chevy Sportback (Vega coupe w/Monza front end)
    ???     1971 Vega Mild & Wild 
    ???     1972 Chevy Vega
    ???     1974 Chevy Vega
    ???     1975 Monza 
    PR212   1978 Monza (promotional) 1/25
        	  
  Revell: 
    H-1346  Super Spyder Chevy Monza 
    H-1469  Jungle Jim Monza Funny Car 
    7356    Jungle Jim Vega 
    ????    Don Prudhomme Army Monza Funny Car

For more info, look them up on the Internet Movie Databse (www.imdb.com):

• Blue Thunder
• Carrie
• Contact -- Vega club shows up crowd scene
• Cool Dreams
• Gone in 60 Seconds
• Never Been Kissed -- lead drives a Vega to high school
• Harry and the Hendersons -- chase scene, Vega
• Muppet Movie -- used car lot, Vega
• Karate Kid -- Vega and Monza in parking lot of arcade
• Corvette Summer -- hydraulic-equipped lowrider Vega cruising across the desert in a lowrider caravan
• Blue Thunder -- chase scene, Vega
• Raising Arizona -- had a scene where a nice yellow Monza was seen parked, during the nighttime car chase
• Used Cars -- several prominent scenes w/ Vegas and one real nice Skyhawk w/ a Targa roof on the back of a Flatbed
• Commando -- Monza Hatchback -- when "Sully" is leaving the airport following Rae Dawn Chong they go in the parking garage and a brown Monza goes by
• Forrest Gump -- Forrest gets up from the bus stop bench to walk to Jenny's and passes a very nice green 76 Vega
• Hot Rod -- shows a few Monzas in town and a few Monzas and Vegas at the strip.
• Six Pack -- as Kenny Rogers pulls into a motel/bar there is a Vega stock car on a trailer

• Car and Track (Speedvision, 9:30am EST) is an early-70s enthusiast show. This list was contributed by Al (alfred_howe). Some episodes include:
  • 1972 Dogwood 500: modified racing (V8 Vega-bodied cars vs. Pintos and Gremlins) at Michigan Motor Speedway
  • Permatex 300 Race Episode: 1974 Vega Wagon road test (green/woodgrain)
  • 1974 IHRA Winter Nationals: Vega funny cars (Jungle Jim, Barry Setzer)
  • 1974 Carling 250: shows another Dogwood 500 (see above); Jeff Bodine crashes a 73 Vega.
  • Winternationals/Permatex Race Episode: modified racing; Harry Gant drives a Vega; Monza wins the race.
• CHIPS -- just about any episode
• Miami Vice - first episode -- Crockett's 1st partner gets blown to pieces by a bomb in a 75-76 Towne Coupe--believe it's a V8 car
• Friday the 13th -- episode about street racing has a Pro-Street Monza

Top speed: 119mph, V8 Monza Spyder

• First see the Vendor's list (section 12). Try to support the few companies supporting the H-body first!
• Swap meets and salvage yards are worth a look.
• Online auction systems have some H-body stuff. For example, E-bay. Go to www.ebay.com and search for "Monza" or "Vega."