In 1975, They Sealed a Brand-New Car as a Time Capsule—50 Years Later, It Resurfaces, and the Problems Did Too

Daily Galaxy ^ | December 01, 2025 | Arezki Amiri

[MayflowerMadam]

I had a Pinto or a Vega, but can’t recall which now. IIRC, it handled Alaska snow pretty well.

[Jim Noble]

My first car was a 1970 Ford Maverick, Freudian Gilt color, RWD, straight six, seat belts as an option. $1995.

I was almost killed in February 1970 when I was run off the road on NY 17 on an icy day, by a retired NY State trooper. Why my rear wheels caught on a barrier over a 50 foot drop to the river I don’t know - but I’m still here, 56 years later.

When NYSP showed up, they were glad to see their old buddy. I was cited for reckless driving. Some things never change.

I had a bruise across my chest from the old fashioned separate chest belt - but I have never driven without belts from that day to this. The option cost extra, but it might have saved my life.

[utax]

“aluminum engine. Burned a lot of oil.”

Yep. My parents had a ‘75 Vega wagon. let’s just say that the city should have been compensating them as an unofficial mosquito spray vehicle.

[trebb]

So - it was a tomb and they exhumed the body of a stillborn car....

[LouAvul]

I was about to say that. The poster was thinking of their 750cc bike.

[mund1011]

Flew home next to an executive from GM and asked him why they didn’t just import that car since they owned Opel, instead of building the Vega and the Chevette, both crappy cars.

++++++++++

Not just the Opel. My parents rented a Ford Capri sedan for our month long visit to Germany, around 1976 timeframe. The car was really well built and handled the Autobahn pretty well (in the right lane 99% of the time). I learned to drive stick on that car. I ask the same question, why didn’t Ford make that same car in the USA?

[DeplorableTrumpSupporter]

Couldn't they put a Vette or a Mustang in the time capsule? If you unearthed a Mustang in perfect condition, it will be worth more money than a Vega...

I'm wondering why a Vega...

[EandH Dad]

“Pinto’s and Maverick’s were just as bad but they sold millions of them.”

And we knew how bad they were but they still sold. Why? Because there is a market for them. We don’t need The Government mandating fuel mileage because the market will determine that. Fuel mileage and a lot of other things.

[equaviator]

I worked and lived in Russelsheim, the home of GM Opel in ‘96. It was the Opel-Saturn 2902 project involving an adaptation of the Opel Vectra to create the all-new Saturn L-series (midsize). It was a hack job that extended the length and width of the then-current Vectras and we used those parameters to design the new Saturns. I don’t know how the Vectra turned out but those Saturns were really nothing GM could’ve been proud of.

[packagingguy]

I believe you’re thinking of the S3 triple. That thing had poor handling and was known for killing people.

[BobL]

“I changed 600 timing belts in that same POS car.”

Probably the WORST engine ever in American cars. It seemed that no one at GM knew that aluminum melts at a temperature far lower than steel.

...and given the story about the EV Camaro this morning, it seems GM still has the same management team.

[bleach]

Sleeper was a funny movie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ctin21yrfcA

[Cowman]

Still better than an electric roller skate

[cyclotic]

When I was in college I was the only car driving up a hill on a two-lane road.

There were several cars driving down the hill. Suddenly, a bright orange Maverick pulled out to pass. I briefly considered a head on collision to teach the stupid driver a lesson but then realized I’d learn the same fatal lesson. Instead, I gunned the gas and hit the shoulder.

The driver was an older lady with a tall Marge Simpson hairdo. I assume her husband bought her the hunter safety orange car to alert others of her lack of driving skills.

As she passed, she didn’t even glance over. I don’t think she ever saw me.

[GingisK]

It seems they really weren’t into this stunt, or they would have buried a Corvette. On the other hand, it was an interesting way to get rid of the stupid thing. Yellow? Heap on more bad taste.

[kvanbrunt2]

I had a hatchback. Had to change out the Clutch. It was a 1 inch surface area on the radius. The replacement (off brand ) had two inches.

[Mathews]

Yikes! That rigger put himself in a very dangerous position.

[stanne]

Sleeper was a good movie yep. Good scene

[stanne]

You posted the scene. Brilliant

[Paal Gulli]

"At that time, the KZ900 was the fastest production bike on the road. It was a two-stroker................."

No it wasn't. The largest displacement 2-cycle motorcycle Kawasaki ever made was the 750cc H2 Mach IV, which was a 3-cylinder 2-stroke. The 900 was a 4-cylinder 4-stroke.