NOVA, also known as Nova, Omega, Ventura, and Apollo as all four GM divisions tried to get in on the X-car act that was the sole province, initially, of the Chevrolet Nova. For ’73, Oldsmobile tossed in its entry known as the Omega, and here’s an example from that inaugural year, looking oh-so ’70ish in its soup green finish.  This Olds is located in Sherwood, Ohio and is available, here on Facebook Marketplace for $1,500. Thanks to Kenneth A for this tip!

You can tell this creation is a pre-oil embargo model by its sales pitch which exclaims, “Close up on Omega: It’s built like a one and a half-ton brick. Nearly 500 pounds more car than some smaller compacts“. By the end of 1973, that would be a regrettable come-on as smaller and lighter was needed, now! Three body styles were available, a two-door notchback, two-door hatchback, and a four-door sedan, all with Nova dimensions, but I guess chugging some more weight. Badge-engineered? Just about, GM’s engine consolidation program hadn’t started yet so there was still some brand identity, but not a lot.

And that brand difference makes its most notable appearance under the hood as this Omega is powered by a 180 net HP Oldsmobile 350 CI V8 engine – no Chevymobile here. And with 180 net HP, this more diminutive Oldsmobile probably, at one time, moved out in style. The seller states, ” it had been tuned before parked it turns over I have not tried to start it but I’m sure it will“. Unless he’s putting a breaker bar on the crank, I don’t know how it turns over without trying to start it. And I wonder if, “I’m sure it will” complies as some sort of verbal guarantee… A Turbo-Hydramatic three-speed automatic transmission handles gearing chores.

The exterior of this, what appears to be an outside dweller, looks like it has experienced some Mr. Magoo parking by feel. It has a few dents here and there. On top of the dents, rust has settled into the lower fender legs which makes one wonder about the condition of the underside. The seller mentions that he has the driver’s side trim piece but that’s the least of this Omega’s worries. But hey, it does have Cragar S/S wheels!

The interior looks like it was paid a visit by Zorro, it’s pretty slashed up. Additionally, the headliner is gravity-bound and the dash pad is cracked. It’s a pretty generic environment, nothing special, but it can all be replaced, and even improved if that’s the next owner’s intention.

OK, so there’s not a whole lot here but it’s only $1,500; what do you expect for 185K miles and 48 years of use? What to do? Well restoring back to stock doesn’t sound like a prudent move. But a potential hot-rod could be in the cards – the Oldsmobile 350 engine is a nice inclusion though count on having to perform a rebuild before too long. There are directions here that can be pursued, what’s your recommendation?