The 1973-79 Oldsmobile Omega was a Chevrolet Nova in disguise (and a thin disguise it was). While the front clip and taillights were different in the first generation (1973-74), even the base six-cylinder engine was sourced from Chevy. This followed a pattern started by Pontiac with the Ventura and Buick with the Apollo. The seller has a 1974 coupe version of the Omega, but doesn’t tell us much, including what engine it has. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the seller is firm on the asking price of $10,000 here on Facebook Marketplace. Our thanks to Hans H. for the tip.
By the mid-1970s, every GM division except for Cadillac had a Chevy Nova to sell. Smaller, more economical cars had become fashionable thanks to rising gas prices brought on by the 1973 OPEC Oil Embargo. 33 cents/gallon gasoline was a thing of the past and would never return. None of the GM compacts could deliver the gas mileage of the imports, which were subcompacts that could deliver north of 30 mpg. The Olds Omega never sold in the kinds of numbers the Nova did, but it did well enough to be continued when the X-bodies were redesigned for a last hurrah in 1975-79.
Given that the seller has put larger aftermarket wheels on this Olds and has painted the bumpers black, we’re guessing that a 350 Rocket V8 is under the hood – or at least was when the car was built. You’d think by 2026 that we’d get more than exterior photos in an ad like this, but we don’t. So, the engine is an unknown, as is the interior and the odometer reading. But we’re told the Olds has an automatic transmission.
The seller says the exterior color is black, so is that a mistake, or does the red paint the car wears now represent a color change? The car does run and drive, though the seller doesn’t say how well. But the title is clean, and the seller is firm on the price. Perhaps the seller really doesn’t want to let go of it, but his/her better half laid down the law and said it’s me or the car! BTW, what’s with the new aluminum radiator in the box? The seller says nothing about it.
Always liked the size of these GM cars.
I seriously looked into buying a ’74,but never did.
There’s something just not right with the looks of this one,
looks so much better in a color like that burnt Orange it
came in,plus a set of factory Rally wheels.
A few years ago in Alaska my sister bought one, it was red with a white vinyl top and white interior, the grill reminds me of an ugly mustache.
The plan with it is to build a 6 liter LS and change the front end with a 1972 front, we thought it might confuse people with the different front and rear so we came up with a name the GM novega.
though right now it’s sitting in an old low roof shack.
She wants to paint it indigo and we’re thinking 630 hp when it’s finished.
Decent car you do not see very often. Looks like an economy single stage paint. Dare I say the car would look much better with the bumpers still chrome. All the same a decent looking car for one you do not see very often anymore
Always thought one of these with an early Olds big block would be a lot of fun!!
4 or 5 speed also…
N ova
O mega
V entura
A pollo
I bought a used 73 Omega coupe with Olds 350/4V…buckets and AC… other than the very unfortunate color it was born with (Omega yellow) it was a great car. Shockingly quick for the time- easily kept pace with stock 350 Nova’s
Got time in one of these in the early ’70s. OldsMan got it right. Fast!
I had a 77 with the FE2 suspension. After installing gas shocks, urethane sway bar bushings and F70R-14s, I had reached the limit without subframe connectors. Still a fun package in the twisties. I could run the 10 miles of Ocean Drive in Newport, RI in 10 minutes.
lot of money. really need to lose the wheels and black bumpers
Just say ”NOva”!
I looked at a new 1977 Pontiac Ventura. It had a V6. I didn’t like the V6, it ran rough at idle and felt under powered. I bought a new 1977 Chevrolet Nova with the 305 V8. I consistently got 21 mpg on the highway.
Listing is no longer available.
Did it sell or did the significant other have a change of heart?
Or maybe the seller said “See ya, I want to keep my car”.