Leading with a rear-3/4 photo is a bit unusual, but this 1974 Oldsmobile Omega is a bit unusual in being a rare hatchback car. You can see the Maroon vinyl top trim going around the rear window to allow the hatchback to open. The seller has this one listed here on eBay in Tolland, Connecticut, and they’re asking $4,500 or offer. Thanks to Zen for the tip!
The seller says this car was stored in a garage since 1979 until last spring, but it sure has a lot of surface rust on it. I don’t see any rust holes, so that’s good, and maybe some of the rust can be polished out and… well, no, probably not. A car this special deserves a proper paint job. Did you notice the roof rack? Some hatchback Omegas were offered with a roof rack and a tent that attaches to the hatchback. It’s shown on page 6 of this brochure. One thing it doesn’t have is a passenger-side mirror. I’d remedy that pronto.
The Super Stock III wheels and trim rings were offered if a buyer paid for power disc brakes, which I’m assuming was just on the front end, not four-wheel disc brakes. I believe the color should somehow be tied into the body or a trim color, but these are black. I’m not sure if they’re original to the car or not, maybe? It looks like there may, in fact, be some rust work to do on the lower portions of this car, unfortunately. Luckily, parts are available. The seller has provided a few underside photos and, as expected, there’s a heavy coating of surface rust underneath.
Silver Taupe is the exterior paint color, according to this build sheet that the seller has provided a photo of. Well done, seller! The rust in the cracks there looks pretty scary to me; maybe that’s why nobody has jumped on what seems like a good price for such a complete car. The interior, in general, and the “white cloth” front bench seat look pretty nice, complete with an Olds exclusive: woodgrain on the dash. Here’s a photo of the rear cargo area, but there aren’t any with the hatchback open, unfortunately. The first-generation Omega was made only for the 1973 and 1974 model years, so they’re rare enough, but a hatchback has to be a unicorn. This car is worth restoring, in my opinion.
The major box-checking continued for whoever bought this car new. It’s basically loaded for the most part, including air-conditioning. The engine is Dr. Olds’ 350-cu.in. OHV V8 with a four-barrel carb and 180 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque when new. Backed by a Turbo-Hydramatic three-speed automatic sending power to the rear wheels, if all was right with the world, I would buy this car and have it nut-and-bolt restored. This is my kind of car, unusual and loaded, sort of like me. Have any of you seen an Olds Omega hatchback?
I wonder if the garage had a roof on it? That’s a good amount of rust.
I had a friend whose garage had a roof, but when he had his driveway paved, it elevated it to the point that water went under the door and his garage became a terrarium! What a mess that was!
I can imagine how nice this was when it was new. Definitely a heavy hand on the order form. It would be nice to see it restored. There’s so many Novas out there and I’m not complaining about that, but an Omega like this would be unique to see. Hope someone saves it. ( And gets the correct Olds steering wheel for it too).
Didn’t notice the “Chevrolet” on the steering wheel until I read your comment and went back and looked. Good eye.
The interior looks great. And the rust all appears to be on the surface. Someone will be getting a very restorable vehicle. Great to see one of these. Very few Omegas (or Apollos or Venturas) around. Novas are all over.