How can this be? I, of course, know the Chevy Nova. I know the Pontiac Ventura, and I recognize the Buick Apollo as X-Body variations of the Nova. But, imagine my surprise when I saw the ad for the 1973 Oldsmobile Omega found here on eBay – and swear I have never seen one before!
Come to find out, this is an Olds model that ran from 1972 to 1984 and had three distinct body style generations. General Motors used these generational models in some variation, for different time periods across its Chevy, Buick, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile brands. Since Oldsmobile was considered a premier brand for GM, the Omega got the signature “waterfall” grill, more trim, fake woodgrain interior upgrades, and other faux baubles here and there.
This particular survivor looks to be a bit more of a “hanger on” than a car that’s fit for the road. The seller tells us that it “Runs and drives, but will need work to be a daily driver or show quality car.” With the rust and roof skin work alone, saying it needs work to be show quality is a bit like me saying “I just need to lose 50 pounds and have a face transplant to look just like George Clooney!” Technically possible, but a lot of work to achieve.
The good thing is that if you’re truly interested in an Omega as your dream rebuild, all the hard to find bits seem to be with the car (things like split grilles, the badging, original rims, trim and interior parts). And at $1.9k as a Buy It Now price, it won’t break the bank to start. It may not be “…the end, or the ultimate…” as the name Omega implies – but it’s fun to learn more about this historical Oldsmobile model. If you’ve had an Omega in your past – tell us your “ultimate Omega” story!
Nice writeup, Garr!
N = Nova
O = Omega
V = Ventura
A = Apollo
No idea if that was intentional or not…
my dad had a ’73 omega without the hatch back, it had a 350 olds, 4 barrel, dad put duals with glass packs and a shift kit for the turbo 350 trans. I was 16 when he had it, (1976) so it was still pretty new. it had 43,000 on it and it ran like an ape ! it would lay rubber for a whole block ! squawk the tires in second gear, it was a real runner. from a roll, it would give chevell SSes a run for their money on woodward. I cruised 13 mile and woodward because I grew up there. that car was so cool. and it was red with no vinyl top. dad paid 1850.00 for from a dealer in Pontiac, mi. dealers were so cheap back then , we ran out of gas before we could get to the station !!! dad was pissed !
I found mine on craigslist 3 years ago
that is a great car, it looks way better than a nova, i hope you still have it !
You know I had a hard time believing that you have never seen one of theses cars. I am not that old and I was 12 in 1973. I guess I was spoiled by all the cars in the City of Houston. These cars were everywhere. Just like the A-bodies Monte Carlo, Cutlass, Lemans. Ford Elites. Big Cougars, they were just everywhere. You know by 1973 a two year old Buick GSX was languishing on used car lots for over less than half their original price. Obsolete in 36 months. Sometime shorter than the original loan. I have a photocopy of an old news paper ads with 1970 Boss 429 for $3,600. The engines are worth $50,000 for a rebuildable copy today. This discounting by the public was so strong that all these cars were very under valued dog gone near to the year 2000. Non car guys and certain women would look at you like you are nuts for driving and collecting these cars. I had a friend from high school that started collecting GTO convertibles in 1989. He never went higher than $4,500 and he got to 10 with all the previous owners believing that they had took him. He lives in a very large paid off house today. Who knew that you could go to LA before tax season and by a used Firebird Formulas that James Garner had disguised as a gold Esprite for the Rockford Files. He would pen a note on the receipts thanking the new owners. I think he had the hoods as well. Let’s see that happening today with Chicago PD. 20/20 hindsight and happy bench racing the one that got away.
First year for Omega was 1973.
My first car! Loved it! Sold it to buy my wedding dress, worst decision ever. Lol
I bought my 73 olds omega from my dad, that 350 with the four barrel would just smoke and spin those tires, you had to be careful going around a corner if you got on it you might be doing 360s. I destroyed many “better” cars with the olds. Loved it until ass ended
My first car. I loved it. Being from Lansing, MI (birthplace of the Oldsmobile), it was popular. Red with the white vinyl and Olds rally wheels. The 350 Rocket motor with the 4 bbl carb was great even stock. I could roast the tires right off it. My 9 year old son and I are talking about looking for one and doing a restoration. Having extra $ to do a restore is standing in the way of that.