@Cdude121 I personally don't know...maybe a viewer can answer. I'd hesitate to buy unless you hear it run, or buy from a reputable business with a replacement guarantee. Thanks! :) Jack
.. In 1977 the Pontiac Astre came with the Iron Duke 4 cylinder and was transformed into a super reliable, great car, with great gas mileage... I still have a '77 Pontiac Astre Formula Safari (Kammback) Station Wagon with 151" Iron Duke and T50 5-speed...
@BuzzLOLOL Lots of variability with "the Iron Duke"...I had two 74 Vegas, with no engine problems...by 77 they pretty much mastered the fabrication of the engine. Glad yours is still running the roads! Thanks! :) Jack
Jack, An early job for me was delivering auto parts. My first delivery vehicle; a 1976 Pontiac Astre wagon. It was poorly maintained, but even well cared for versions were pathetic examples of an automobile. We had to add a quart of oil at every fill up. Cold winter morning starts involved starting fluid and serious carb backfires (don't stand over top the engine when it was cranking unless you hate your eyebrows). Fenders fell off. This guy did the seemingly impossible, he built a cool one.
@jferg7159 Hey, Joe! There were 3 Vegas in my life...1974 models...my hatchback, my folks Kammback and my aunt's Kammback. Actually, against all odds, they lived fairly long lives...the aluminum "experimental" engines were ok, but the major debilitating factor was RUST! I know mine was made in Canada, and I think the other 2 were also...that may have affected their build quality. However, a young lady I knew was on her third engine..at GM expense! Thanks! :) Jack
@XboobtubeX Hey, Bob! Yeah...this, the Rambler American and the Crosley would probably capture the title of lowest weight for a wagon! I'd say it's a great platform! Thanks! :) Jack
@Tallerico500 There was definitely a family resemblance within the Pontiac line....just like Ford liked to model everything after the Tbird. Thanks! :) Jack
@IluvSixtiesPontiacs Hey, Dave! Yeah, Chevy doesn't like to talk too much about that aluminum four....they thought aluminum engines were the wave of the future. Too bad they didn't give enough research and development time to the engine. Someone I knew was on her third engine supplied by GM under warranty...it was a critical juncture, and I agree, many people went to the competition! Lordstown Ohio had labor problems too, as I remember..quality was low. Thanks! :) Jack
It is nice when a garage has real car people running it. From the look of this Astra I would say you found the right place , unless you just wanted a quart of milk that is.. I might be getting nostalgic but I do miss the old style service station.
@cheddyrod Hey, Chester! That is how I feel about it...for owners/mechanics like this, doing mechanical work is more than just a living, it's a hobby, a way of life! You definitely feel that they take extra care in their work! I was definitely impressed by the place, the workers and owner and the final repair result! They replaced my valve cover gaskets on the 88 GT Mustang! Thanks! :) Jack
@Seattlecarnut Hey, Jason...this particular car only came in Pontiac and Chevy versions...and the Pontiac version was upscale compared to Vega. Pontiac had that split grille peculiar to Pontiacs that definitely gave it a Pontiac feel....they begged to put in their own cast iron engine, but were hamstrung by GM to use the Vega engine. Thanks! :) Jack
@raconter1 Which do you think would've been a better engine for the Vega and Astre? From what I've been told, these cars were notorious for rust, poorly built drive trains. Just pieces of shit cars that arer best forgotten by the motoring public. That said, however, I have a friend who used to have a Vega at one time and she loved driving it!
Cute little cars.. The whole concept of the Vega/Astre was good, it's just unfortunate the GM couldn't follow through with a big success.. Did Buick make a variant of this car too??
@Sarcasticscum Hey, Nathan! It actually was a nice car...two major problems..the aluminum 4 had teething problems, and rust overtook the car quickly. The car was peculiar to Chevy and Pontiac...Buick and Olds did not have a version of it. Thanks! :) Jack
@SuperJohnnychingas Hey, SuperJohnny! Definitely based on Vega, and the Pontiac dealers wanted their version of it to bolster their sales! Thanks so much for your compliment! Thanks! :) Jack
question whats the going price for a referbished model? i have an offer for 500 if i want it, its got a bad fuel pump.
Cdude121 1 month ago
@Cdude121 I personally don't know...maybe a viewer can answer. I'd hesitate to buy unless you hear it run, or buy from a reputable business with a replacement guarantee. Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 month ago
.. In 1977 the Pontiac Astre came with the Iron Duke 4 cylinder and was transformed into a super reliable, great car, with great gas mileage... I still have a '77 Pontiac Astre Formula Safari (Kammback) Station Wagon with 151" Iron Duke and T50 5-speed...
BuzzLOLOL 9 months ago
@BuzzLOLOL Lots of variability with "the Iron Duke"...I had two 74 Vegas, with no engine problems...by 77 they pretty much mastered the fabrication of the engine. Glad yours is still running the roads! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 9 months ago
Jack, An early job for me was delivering auto parts. My first delivery vehicle; a 1976 Pontiac Astre wagon. It was poorly maintained, but even well cared for versions were pathetic examples of an automobile. We had to add a quart of oil at every fill up. Cold winter morning starts involved starting fluid and serious carb backfires (don't stand over top the engine when it was cranking unless you hate your eyebrows). Fenders fell off. This guy did the seemingly impossible, he built a cool one.
jferg7159 1 year ago
@jferg7159 Hey, Joe! There were 3 Vegas in my life...1974 models...my hatchback, my folks Kammback and my aunt's Kammback. Actually, against all odds, they lived fairly long lives...the aluminum "experimental" engines were ok, but the major debilitating factor was RUST! I know mine was made in Canada, and I think the other 2 were also...that may have affected their build quality. However, a young lady I knew was on her third engine..at GM expense! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 year ago
who would have ever thought a station wagon running low nine's.....
XboobtubeX 1 year ago
@XboobtubeX Hey, Bob! Yeah...this, the Rambler American and the Crosley would probably capture the title of lowest weight for a wagon! I'd say it's a great platform! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 year ago
I'd drive that bad boy to church! :D
drewerz01 1 year ago
@drewerz01 Hey, Mike! I bet it would be the talk of the congregation! LOL! Thanks! :D Jack
raconter1 1 year ago
It's almost like a Firebird wagon! You know from when GM downsized alot of their sporty cars.
Tallerico500 1 year ago
@Tallerico500 There was definitely a family resemblance within the Pontiac line....just like Ford liked to model everything after the Tbird. Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 year ago
@IluvSixtiesPontiacs Hey, Dave! Yeah, Chevy doesn't like to talk too much about that aluminum four....they thought aluminum engines were the wave of the future. Too bad they didn't give enough research and development time to the engine. Someone I knew was on her third engine supplied by GM under warranty...it was a critical juncture, and I agree, many people went to the competition! Lordstown Ohio had labor problems too, as I remember..quality was low. Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 year ago
It is nice when a garage has real car people running it. From the look of this Astra I would say you found the right place , unless you just wanted a quart of milk that is.. I might be getting nostalgic but I do miss the old style service station.
cheddyrod 1 year ago
@cheddyrod Hey, Chester! That is how I feel about it...for owners/mechanics like this, doing mechanical work is more than just a living, it's a hobby, a way of life! You definitely feel that they take extra care in their work! I was definitely impressed by the place, the workers and owner and the final repair result! They replaced my valve cover gaskets on the 88 GT Mustang! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 year ago
That's one serious machine! Great vid Jack!
RamblinAround 1 year ago
@RamblinAround Hey, Jeff! It sure is...awesome! Thanks for the compliment! :) Jack
raconter1 1 year ago
Nice looking car. I've always preferred the Pontiac Astre and Oldsmobile version over the Chevy Vega and Buick.
Seattlecarnut 1 year ago
@Seattlecarnut Hey, Jason...this particular car only came in Pontiac and Chevy versions...and the Pontiac version was upscale compared to Vega. Pontiac had that split grille peculiar to Pontiacs that definitely gave it a Pontiac feel....they begged to put in their own cast iron engine, but were hamstrung by GM to use the Vega engine. Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 year ago
@raconter1 Which do you think would've been a better engine for the Vega and Astre? From what I've been told, these cars were notorious for rust, poorly built drive trains. Just pieces of shit cars that arer best forgotten by the motoring public. That said, however, I have a friend who used to have a Vega at one time and she loved driving it!
Seattlecarnut 1 year ago
Cute little cars.. The whole concept of the Vega/Astre was good, it's just unfortunate the GM couldn't follow through with a big success.. Did Buick make a variant of this car too??
Sarcasticscum 1 year ago
@Sarcasticscum Hey, Nathan! It actually was a nice car...two major problems..the aluminum 4 had teething problems, and rust overtook the car quickly. The car was peculiar to Chevy and Pontiac...Buick and Olds did not have a version of it. Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 year ago
THIS IS ANOTHER VEGA...BUT CONVERTED TO PONTIAC...
BEST REGARDS RACONER,AND CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN..
SuperJohnnychingas 1 year ago
@SuperJohnnychingas Hey, SuperJohnny! Definitely based on Vega, and the Pontiac dealers wanted their version of it to bolster their sales! Thanks so much for your compliment! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 year ago
Comment removed
SuperJohnnychingas 1 year ago