In the 1970s, General Motors “cloned” the Chevrolet Nova across most divisions so they, too, could have an American-made compact. Pontiac was first with the Ventura II, then Oldsmobile soon followed with the Omega, and Buick with the Apollo. The latter car arrived in 1973 as Chevy had just given the Nova a facelift. The seller has a 1974 Apollo 350, which is a fancier sedan with a V8 engine rather than an inline-6. Located in Van Nuys, California, this Buick has been in the same family for the last 10 years. Maybe only needing a tune-up, the Apollo is available here on craigslist for $9,500.
Three body styles of the Apollo were offered, just like the Nova: a 2-door sedan, a 4-door sedan, and a 2-door hatchback. For 1973 and 1974, they all shared Apollo badging. For whatever reason, the 2-doors were rebranded Skylarks in 1975, with the Apollo continuing only as a 4-door. Apollo sales never came close to emulating its Nova cousin, and in 1974, 28,000 2-door sedans like this one were built.
We’re guessing the seller’s ’74 Apollo is stock except for the aftermarket wheels and air cleaner. The air cleaner is a distraction because it has a heavy amount of surface rust. If I were selling the car, I would have taken some water and a Brillo pad with it to make the chrome shine again. And changed out the filter element. The mileage on this Buick is 58,000, which we assume is accurate given the solid condition of the interior.
This car has Buick’s version of a 350 cubic inch V8 paired with an automatic transmission (TH-350?). The white paint looks good with just a touch of patina in some places. We’re told it’s a turnkey purchase that may only need spark plugs and other tune-up items. If you want to see the car in action, the seller can send prospective buyers a video. If you’re in the market for a nice 1973-74 Nova, don’t overlook this Buick. BTW, thanks for the cool tip, Jack M.!
Looks to be in really nice shape, and quite the reasonable price. The 350 is a plus. My only observations? Why is the steering wheel tan when the interior is not? What is going on on the driver’s side door? Still, if weren’t on the west coast, I’d be checking this one out!
Compare the two quarter panels. The left-side shows a crisp style line behind the wheel well. The same position on the right-side carries no style line. The alignment of the trunk lid is off on the same side. These could be signs of poorly repaired collision damage.
Looking through the windscreen the dash cap’s misalignment is visible. The color of steering wheel and kick panel vent knobs don’t match the rest of the interior. The sagging headliner is not unexpected.
Be suspicious.
Good eye, good observation. I think you are correct on your assumptions. Pull handle on driver’s door is also different than the passenger side. Neat car, nonetheless.
Bondo!
What a throw back, I had a piss yellow puke green with black interior Apollo during my high school years. Not a bad car at the time, just a typical massed produced people mover. Loved the front bench seat, girl friend could sit nice and close as you drove. A lot of carefree miles with no big troubles while I owned it. Traded it in on a new blue 1980 Pontiac Sunbird with a V6 and 4 speed. Bucket seats, so no more cuddling on the drives.
Nice car, good price. And a California car to boot. Totally different world for old cars out there and down south. Just spent a month in Florida, seeing daily drivers like this is completely different than what we see in the NE.
Nicer than a Nova.
neat car. poor wheel choice.no a/c 6k tops
Back in 1976 picked up my 1973 Apollo in Fairborn, Oh 2dr hatch. What a car, doubled as a hotel on many trips out west. Had the Cragar deep dish mags, which didn’t do much for the handling but looked cool. Went through the top end and trans at 150,000 mi. Great reliable cruiser that I ended up putting 240,000 miles on TDY trips out of Wright-Pat. Sat in my driveway for nearly 3 yrs before finally selling her in ’83. The buyer came over with a battery, she fired right up and he drove her away!
They offered these with a GSX sticker package…
May be with an early 455 it would be a decent performer!!
I wonder how many people knew that the names, spelled,
Nova
Omega
Ventura
Apollo
Nova
Omega
Ventura
Apollo
Probably a lot of people do…
It has been regurgitated over and over…