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!
Connecticut is super humid so sitting for 47 years would have this kind of result.
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.
Wow, good eye, Dave! I should have zoomed in on that, dang. Thanks for catching that.
I wonder if it has been that way from day 1— one of those “assembly line errors.”
JDC Scotty and Bob, thanks, I’m actually a stickler for stock steering wheels, it’s one of the first things my eyes gravitate towards when looking at any older vehicle ( we all have our ” pet peeves” I guess lol) And Bob, you never know, its quite possible, if it is, that would make this Omega a One of One!!! It has tilt steering, I had to zoom in on the build sheet and see if it was ordered with it, and it was.
-Dave
I hate aftermarket steering wheels, myself. I had a 72 Ventura (in 76) which had this same steering wheel, except for the make. I never thought a think of it being wrong until you brought it up. Like I said… you’re very observent!
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.
Dad had one of those. Red with white vinyl roof, white interior and red Super Stock wheels. Hatch leaked like screen door on a submarine.
I had a 73 Nova hatchback. The hatch was rusted badly, and this was in 1983
Some pics have the rally wheels and some don’t. would be a good project.
Wow, this looks like a great project at a reasonable price! Very interesting options.
Call me crazy but I saw the page 6 of the brochure (thanks for providing that info!) and after seeing the yellow Omega thought would be cool if someone made a Rallye 350 Omega tribute of the Rallye 350 Cutlass. I would go so far as to put the signature rear wing.
been on eBay almost a month now. shame too it was a good-looking ride when new. on a trailer tells me it’s a flipper. 455 drop right in and would be at home. ask is too much for me
Have not seen a Oldsmobile Omega, but looked at buying a Pontiac Ventura with a hatch. Seller also had a GTO hood and scoop. That was 10 years ago. Should have snagged it while I could. It would have been totally unique.
An Omega with a Rocket 350 will boil the rear tires all day long without a complaint . I had a 4 door one in the 80s, in case you wanted to know how I knew that …. .
Never purchase a car without a visual from you or a professional that knows what to look for. Car deserves a chance at life back the way it was when new and it is a rare automobile,could have gotten thus way in a damp garage,don’t think alot of people realize what New England winters are like if they live in the nice weather states,Thank you
Omega with a 455 would be very fun!! Too bad about the roof rack. Extra holes… nope.
Silver taupe with a cranberry roof and white houndstooth? Pretty snazzy. This was one well equipped Omega. The fit of the Chevy horn pad suggests that this was originally an Olds Omega steering wheel.
If this car was garaged until last fall, it was a tough winter- and I’m a monkey’s uncle.
‘74 GTO was this body with a Pontiac 350. Always thought that it was a neat effort to return the GTO to its roots.
So- this rig with a 4bbl Olds 350 coulda, shoulda, woulda been a 442!
That’ll buff right out, NOT! LOL! I don’t see any holes in the sheet metal, so that’s a plus, but given the level of surface rust and general neglect, stripping the body down to bare metal, followed by a rotisserie restoration, would be advisable. You don’t know what’s under that badly faded paint!
With that being said, this one is worth saving, given the rarity of hatchback X-body cars and the extensive optional equipment. The only way it could get better would be if the original buyer checked the box for the optional bucket seats and console with a floor shifter! Given the market and condition, $4500 sounds about right. GLWTS!
Dad had a light green 75 Nova hatchback with a 305 engine. It is the vehicle I got my driver’s license with in 1978. Had a set of the 5 hole rally wheels with trim rings.
You better check again. The Chevrolet 305 V-8 was introduced in 1976.
Typo, I fat fingered my post, it was a 76. And sounded great with the air cleaner lid flipped over!
That poor car was stored in a very, very damp garage or carport. It would not surprise me if the engine is rusted inside and stuck.
Never saw any of Nova-sisters with a roof rack before. Certainly would be rare and cool to be restored, pretty nice interior a plus. But not for the faint of heart, bound to be some surprises along the way. There’s a lady just a few miles from me that has a white Omega in pristine condition…they’re sharp looking! Take a lot to get this one there though.
Looks like it had a new england winter salt water road bath for many a year to me. Probably rust in every clevis . Shame, was a nice car 50 years ago.
Listing update: this one is gone!
The E-Bay ad is gone, so it either sold or didn’t meet the reserve.
This one would need a good inspection before buying even though you never see these models complete like this on with 2 sets of rims/hubcaps with A/C. The rust might be a lot of surface rust but should be checked out.