In the early 1970s, Buick needed a compact car to better compete, and buyers weren’t flocking to dealer showrooms for the imported Opels. Enter Buick’s version of the successful Chevy Nova, the Apollo. Other than some trim differences and drivetrains, the cars were interchangeable. The Apollo nameplate would give way just two years later to a revival of the Skylark. This ’73 edition is said to run well but has some front-end damage that needs addressing. Interested parties can find the car near Yreka, California, and here on craigslist for $3,500. Thanks to local_sheriff for bringing this tip our way!
The Apollo was named after the Greek god and not the only time that GM copied the Nova. Pontiac cloned it first with the Ventura, followed by the Oldsmobile Omega about the same time as the Apollo. It was a compact car that saw only three years of production (1973-75). Available as a 4-door sedan 2-door hatchback or coupe (as with the seller’s car), the overall production was below 113,000 units. That would be about 10 percent of the Nova output, meaning that Buick-specific parts on the car may be a little harder to come by today.
A case in point is the front-end sheet metal. This Apollo got involved in a (perhaps) small fender-bender that took out the grille area and front bumper. The fenders are a little bent and should be repairable and the hood looks to have not suffered any damage. The yellow paint, possibly original at 102,000 miles, is faded and the next owner may want to treat it to a respray when the front-end damage is repaired. But Nova parts won’t necessarily work, so searching junkyards for the needed components is likely to take more time. Some of the damaged parts have already been removed.
We’re told the original 350 cubic-inch V8 (2-barrel) and TH-350 automatic transmission run well – for the year and mileage. The interior looks okay except for cracks in the dash pad, and it would have enhanced the seller’s experience if he/she had vacuumed the car out before taking photos. The upholstery seems tidy. The car has the usual power assists and factory air conditioning, which we assume works. The Buick has a new radiator, probably because of the collision. I’d show the photos to a paint & body expert before committing to buying the car to understand how much it would likely cost to take to repair the damage.
Once upon a time I wouldn’t give this car a second look, but with the prices of damn near everything else becoming unobtainium for many people this thing is looking pretty good!
I agree with you 100%.. The price of Novas and everything else.. really sucks.. I would love to get one of each N.O.V.A
Nova, Omega, Ventura and Apollo..
at these prices I would be happy to get any of the other O.V.A.
Nice! Not many people know about the NOVA game that GM played with those BOP names. Well done!
I’m wondering if an entire Nova front clip would work. The hood needs to go and the fenders are damaged as well. Replacing the clip would be the way to go. Fix the front, clean up the interior and you have a nice 70’s driver!
It would be a Nopollo?
Better than NO VA (which is Spanish for doesn’t go).
Terrry; it’s been done already and is probably the easiest way to fix it. Sad really, ’cause while I’ve never cared much for the X-bodies IMO the Apollo face is the prettiest version.
https://topclassiccarsforsale.com/buick/180919-1974-buick-apollo-nova-clone.html
There are Apollo parts cars sitting around here and there, question is which of them are worthy to return in Apollo guise and which should be sacrificed for the cause…
This one would probably be of some help if the Buick face is desired
https://www.dvap.com/salvage/1974-buick-apollo-2-door-hatchback-74bu8114b/
I think the rear taillghts of Apollos look beter than the other Nova style cars of 1973.
I had one of these in 1983. I was working at a Buick dealership and someone traded it in on a new Buick. I bought it from the dealer for $200.
It was a cute little car. A V-8. Auto. Brown with beige interior and vinyl top. I could and did smoke the tires off of that thing.
Any pictures?
Someone has a good idea with maybe putting a Nova front clip on it, which would be a whole lot easier to find. I had a 78 Buick skylark back in the day, simple easy to maintain car and did have some power.
had same gen Ventura, same equipment too – but the Hatch. Got me back from West by God to NE. Was light and overpowered.
I came up w/the hatch almost vertical due to the stuffing it took on w/my college belongings. Not only that…since shelf-like, I also used it & the roof for more stuff. Talk bout “Ma’n Pa Kettle”! Had No Plate on it. Musta stuck out like a sore thumb (kids, U can never tell what they’ll do nxt – even if ‘they’ R U !). B4 I left I asked the staties if I could drive up to Mass to register steada doing so B4 I left? They approved’n gave me a lill piece of paper to carry with. Only cop to stop me was a Jersey smokie. When I whipped out the paper he lifted his jaw offa his chest & jerked his thumb: “Get that 24!+ box oudda here & never come back!” Me: “I assure U officer. I will make that my certain promise to U.” and sped on my way…
150 hp
270 ft lb torque
1/4 mile 17.6 sec
Topspeed 114mph
If the apollo had been equipped with the 4 barrel –
175 hp
260 ft lb torque
1/4 mile17.3 sec
Topspeed 119mph
Not sure why the torque dropped with the 4barrel couldnt find anything to say if the trq spec was calculated at the same rpm for both versions. I’d of expected the torque to have gone up along with everything else adding the 4barrel
Misprint.?
Weird science ?
Either way that 74 GTO at about the same weight is gonna leave this apollo in the dust.. on paper anyway. Even if both had the same 4barrel carb the Pontiac engine must definitely had some performance upgrades internally from the factory so at least for a 74 they did give you a little more than fast paint and stickers
I drove a lot of X-Bodies back in the day, I hated them because the interior was very claustrophobic: the windshield was right in your face, and the header was very low.. But they were light and quick, and each surprisingly evenly matched. Despite specs on paper, the Buick was by far the torquiest and could spin tires for days, Pontiacs pulled best at top end. Oldsmobile’s were kind of a weird middle ground and just felt heavier than the rest.. the Nova 350’s didn’t really do anything well UNTIL you found that oddball Wednesday car that for no apparent reason would clean everything’s clock (and it was usually a ugly green sedan). People will argue for days which was fastest but honestly it came down to gearing – the one with a 3.23 axle wins, period.