$3500 new, 350 V8 automatic with rally wheels , no a/c. Just like this one, but a different color (Desert Sand) . . .

It was an engine away from being a decent car. I do commend it for lasting ~6 years until the week I was flying down to Pensacola for AOCS before it's head gasket went. The timing was perfect. My dad asked if I wanted it repaired or disposed of...I told him to go with the latter...lol It had no power, drank about a quart of oil a month, but it handled well. I remember seeing a shootout in C&D where it was pitted against 6 other cars in it's segment. It was the slowest to 60 and the quarter mile, but finished 3rd in the slalom.

With Franz Klammer at the wheel.

the fastest around. One night, he and I came across a Vega with a big intake on the hood and we could see the modified rear suspension. Mike decided to chase this guy and that Vega left us in the dust. We wanted to catch up with the guy to see what modifications he did but that was a not in the cards.

BTW, I remember watching modified Chevy Vegas that looked like this racing at Franklin County Speedway in the 70's.

Vegas were very light, so that SBC could really make it move. If I had to venture a guess, it was at least 500 pounds lighter than the T-bird.

Almost as if it was designed for the car...lol