This is a curious listing for a desirable car: it’s a 1986 Dodge Omni GLH Turbo, and it was supposedly pulled from a Long Island backyard where it’s been parked since 1996. The Omni GLH is a pocket rocket in the purest sense of the word, as it went up against plenty of big guns when it was new and picked on kids that were twice its size. The Omni shown here also wears a rarer shade of paint than the typical black, as we don’t see this vibrant blue color all that often (it’s covered up by years of dirt, courtesy of a failed car cover). The seller notes the head and intake have been removed and are sitting in the trunk, so you’ve got a bit of a project on your hands. Find the Omni GLH here on craigslist for $2,200.
The seller has included one solitary photo and obviously believes that the intrigue of his listing alone will drive interest. While the Omni GLH was made in fairly limited numbers, it hasn’t yet achieved that mythical status where even the worst examples only last for a few hours on a classifieds site. The seller’s car may even have chassis rot if it’s been sitting in the mud for over 20 years, and that’s assuming a best-case scenario that it wasn’t driven in the wintertime before being parked. Still, it’s a symbolic car that also represented one of the last big hurrahs from Carroll Shelby, who worked with Mopar for several years on spicing up some of its base model cars into legitimate performers.
One of the last blue Omni GLHs I can recall seeing was written up here on Barn Finds, and as you can see, it looks quite sporting with the blacked-out air dam and grill, which typically blends into the nose of your standard-issue black GLH. The two-tone effect makes it even more aggressive, especially with the intercooler ductwork poking out of the hood. The Omni shown above – from the Long Island backyard – has some custom slats cut into the hood, which may indicate a life of hard use and DIY modifications. Whatever the story is, you’re going to have to call this cryptic seller for more information and a shot at rescuing one of the premier 80s hot hatches.
My first experience with ‘what the f…?!!’ torque steer was in one of these little cars.
Nobody has as yet, so here goes:
GLH = Goes Like Hell
True Mike. LOL! The one you really want is the GLH-S, Goes Like Hell Some more!
I would have said Goes like hell sometimes.
That blue colour was 1986 only. I had a gold ’85 Turbo that I raced with some success. I never minded the torque steer; as long as you had your hands on the wheel when you buried the accelerator, you were fine. I wish that I still had my GLH, but life got in the way when I went back to school for my first Master’s.
Not sure why they cut a hole in the left front corner of the hood…….parts for L Bodies are getting scarcer by the day, so sourcing a new hood could be a problem. Of course, from the look of the car, the hood could be the least of the new owner’s worries……
Price lowered to $1,500 for swamp thing don’t know what scrap metal is bringing now days my guess is because the title is missing is why its not in the scrap yard yet
My First New Car Was A 84 Shelby Charger, Had The Direct Connection Super Charger Dealer Installed. Great Looking Car, Handled Like It Was On Rails. The Two Years I Owned It. At Least Nine Months It Was In The Garage For Something. Good Thing I Paid Cash When I Brought It Cause I LOST MY A$$ When I Got Rid Of It. The saying mopar or NO CAR……I’LL GO WITHOUT A CAR BEFORE I BUY ANOTHER mopar.
I had the 83 Shelby. I wouldn’t take one now if u paid me
You must have owned a lot of Mopars judging by all your “I owned one of these Mopars and it was junk” comments ; I’m surprised you bought a second one…or a third….
moved up to one of these from a Chevette. Like going from a riding lawn mower to a Ferrari.
Just one picture and it’s the “as-found” shot. Sellers, don’t let buyers see what the car looked like when you pulled it out of its hole. It makes people have second thoughts.
GLH Girls Lame Hoopty
That was all in fun. Back in the 80’s my cousin worked at a Dodge dealer and these were no joke back then. They would fry the tires and rip. I had respect then. And get this: I’m a full blown Ford guy.
There’s one in every crowd – spoken like someone who never experienced one firsthand.
Too bad……
Uhhh……Mr. Leary, I successfully raced my GLH Turbo in the ’80s…..it was far from lame. Beat cars with larger engines…Audis, a few BMWs and quite a few domestic cars. And, as you can see from my screen name, I am of the female persuasion. So, your comment is out of place here………
My friend’s ’85 Mustang GT EFI automatic got beat by one of these way back in the day, with 4 guys in it. I think it was modified but still. Unfortunately, I think this one is a long way from that kind of glory. I’d be very concerned about the undercarriage. If it was sitting on wet ground that could be a big problem.
The picture of this one makes me sad.
Here’s a picture of my ’86 from back in the day.
I loved that car but we parted ways too early – I wrapped it around a phone pole. No, not because of torque steer, just plain youthful idiocy.
Anyone who says they weren’t idiots in their youth are living in denial. (Even though living in denial is better than d’Amazon, it isn’t a fun place to be).
Located in Long Beach, NY
Who wins the street race …
86 GLH omni vs 86 Mustang svo ?
I can’t say for sure. I had a GLH-T and a car very close to the SVO, same engine – Merkur XR4Ti.
The GLH felt a lot more high-strung – like ti could beat anything off the line, and it did.
The Merkur was more of a luxury muscle car.
Regrettably, being a gearhead and wearing a skirt, I have not always been welcomed by the guys who populate the hobby. The patronizing way that we’re spoken to, the way we’re not taken seriously, it sticks in the back of your mind. It’s a lot better now than it was back in the ’80’s, and Saab people are a lot more accepting of women gearheads than some of the Mopar guys. I own a Viggen, and the Saab folks don’t even blink when they realize that the Red Rocket is mine. I got stares, I got sneers and outright contempt when guys figured out that I was the one driving the GLH……..
I humbly apologise for my gender. Quite often the little man inside leads us astray. If we are able to recognise the little man, and resist his lead, things turn out much better.
Did these come with 5 speed–Germany motors? I have one out in the building. Been their about 40 years. As far as I know. Its all original.
Nope, they came with the 2.2 Liter Chrysler plant that was seemingly in everything back then. The turbo brought it up to 146HP that felt very stout.
They were a reliable engine, and don’t have to worry about expensive parts.
I am trying to find a Dodge Omni 1986 to 1988 year model with a 2.2 engine for parts I have an 1988 dodge Omni