We can wander through life accepting everything that is average, from clothes to food and cars, or we can strive for the extraordinary. After all, someone once said that you will never rise above the trees unless you aim for the stars. That appears to be the story with this 1976 Oldsmobile Omega Brougham. It would have been a nice car when it was new, but you almost certainly passed it in the street without giving it a second glance. However, the seller has spent two decades transforming it into a classic that should provide the power to match its stunning looks. Changed circumstances mean they must part with a car that has been their passion. They have listed the Omega here on Craigslist in Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada. You could drive it home by handing them $18,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B. for spotting this stunning classic.
Oldsmobile introduced the original Omega in 1973 as its affordable compact model. It remained in production until 1984, with Second Generation cars gracing showroom floors from 1975 until 1979. The first owner ordered this car in 1976, and while the seller has some of its history before their purchase in 2004, they don’t provide it in their listing. It seems the car has been their passion for two decades, and they have spent that time transforming a meek and mild vehicle into something genuinely eye-catching. The process included massaging the panels until they were as straight as an arrow in 2008. They completed the process by applying a dazzling coat of Hugger Orange paint. It is not subtle or restrained, but the color somehow looks “right” on the Omega. It retains a beautiful depth of color and shine, with the closeup shots revealing no significant flaws or issues. The seller doesn’t mention existing or prior rust, suggesting this beauty is rock-solid. The trim looks exceptional, and the glass is crystal clear. They rounded out the exterior with color-matched Super Stock III wheels that hint at the potential lurking below this Oldsmobile’s skin.
The seller confirms that the first owner went for the range-topping motor when ordering this Omega. It retains its numbers-matching 350ci V8, but it is a sure bet that it produces more than the 140hp and 280 ft/lbs of torque available in 1976. The seller treated it to a rebuild in 2005 and didn’t spare the expense when choosing the aftermarket components to unlock more power. The V8 inhales deeply through a TA Performance intake and an Edelbrock 600cfm carburetor. Spent gases leave the room via a set of TA Performance headers and a dual 40-series Flowmaster exhaust. It is unclear what internal enhancements were performed, but I am sure the Olds could blow its 1976 ¼-mile ET of 18.5 seconds into the weeds. A three-speed automatic transmission performs shifting duties, with power assistance for the steering and front disc brakes minimizing driver effort. The car recently received new rear springs, and the seller confirms that they hold almost all of the service records and invoices dating back to their purchase in 2004. The car runs and drives perfectly and can be considered a turnkey proposition.
After appraising the rest of the vehicle, I found the Omega’s interior surprising because it is pretty subtle and restrained. It features a sports wheel, a modern stereo, and a gauge cluster mounted by the driver’s right knee. Otherwise, it is original and unmolested. The seller only supplies one interior image, making it almost impossible to assess its overall condition accurately. The Beige vinyl cover on the driver’s seat appears to have a seam separation and edge wear, but there are no gaping holes. The carpet looks okay, and there are no apparent problems with the dash, pad, or console. Those genuinely interested in this classic should probably contact the seller to inquire about more photos or to negotiate an in-person inspection.
The 1976 Oldsmobile Omega Brougham probably doesn’t sit at the top of most lists of desirable classics, but this one is a beauty. It proves that it is possible to take a very average and unexceptional car and transform it into something that can’t help but attract attention. My instinct tells me two things: The first is that you could never recreate this car for the asking price. Secondly, I believe the seller is probably taking a significant financial hit on this sale. Their price is well above the market average, but many rules go out the window once a car has been modified. I acknowledge that this Olds won’t appeal to some, but does it tick the boxes for you?
An Olds V8 with the distributor in the front? And where is the front oil fill tube? Is that a Buick V8? What am I missing?
Definitely a Buick engine. Nice car though, even if it’s not my color. The craigslist ad is gone.
The valve covers told me it’s a Buick 350. I wondered the same thing. Is this Omega minus AC?
Definitely a Buick V8, judging by the distinctive valve covers.
Oldsmobile made their own 350 up until 1974 they had a gold colored block, then in 1975-76 the used a Buick 350 as shown. Funny fact, Olds continued to make a 350 cu in motor in other models, oddly it was painted blue like the big blocks…-theautojunkie-
As a kid in the 80s, many of the seniors in my neighborhood had one GM variety or another of this car. By 75 or 76 they all had HEI and were no longer using points. They stayed in tune longer. Some of these seniors kept these cars as their last transportation til they passed. One such customer’s Apollo had near 160K miles on it. My point is I look at these cars from this era as some of the first to start normalizing higher mileage well past 100k miles without a ton of care
GM V8s. The General dropped the ball on many things, but they engineered their V8s well, and they kept on getting better and better.
The first car in our family to break 100k was my old man’s Wagoneer – a 1968 with the Buick 350. It ran fine up until he sold it – it was up in miles, and he was tired of trucklike riding. He replaced it with a Torino wagon.
The second car was my own Pinto, purchased with 75k. But that was anomaly – the Cologne four, which was a jewel wasted under the low-buck outer wrap of the Pinto. It was a Texas car, and only constant attention to other issues, such as underside dirt and corrosion, got it as far as it went.
I was never a fan of the GM X cars – Blandmobiles, all – but there’s no need to fear the durability of this one.
Buick 350. Can really knock the switch. Should be a great performer.
Should say can’t. Sorry.
It would have to be older than ’75. Buick stopped making V8s in ’75.
Buick made the 350 until 1980.
Buick offered their 350 through the 1980 model year, but production of that engine had actually ended sometime before that, probably in 1978. The factory built a reserve to tide them through.
Definitely NOT my father’s Oldsmobile, or mine! O ME GA! 🤮
Ah yes. The days when GM was playing musical engines. You never knew which one you’d end up with.
A bumper crop of Chevymobile owners will testify to that. ;)
From the looks of it, the owner took a mundane, malaise era Oldsmobile and turned it into a legitimate street beast. And the fact that she’s beautifully redone for the most part for 18k, it’s well worth the money upon first glance.
The car is basically a fancy Chevy Nova. Go price out a few Novas in this condition and you will see that the seller is in the ballpark.
Yes, the GM X-body family spread across all of the divisions like wildfire, including Cadillac when the X-Body was the basis for the first-generation Seville, fitted with an Olds 350 that got GM’s first EFI system for a V8 in Cadillac duty. This one has the very desirable bucket seats and console with a floor-shifted automatic transmission. Dakota Digital makes a nice upgrade for the stock dash that eliminates the need for the knee-knocker auxiliary gage panel. Most of the hard work has been done on this one, but there are numerous upgrades for the engine, transmission and suspension available to personalize it to your liking. Worth whatever the seller can get for it, you’d be hard pressed to do the work yourself without spending twice the sale price in the process!
I don’t know why it’s called a “Brougham” as back then half the automakers in the world that offered a formal roof covered in padded vinyl, were calling them “Broughams”.This ain’t it even if the vinyl was removed, as the roof itself is wrong. And the Brougham, no matter who made them, had nice puffy cloth interiors. Regardless, they’ve done a nice job updating this basic coupe, especially the engine which I don’t believe is “native” to this one. I’m gonna guess it’s an older Buick 350.
Definitely a Buick motor. No doubt about that but this really isn’t a car you buy as an investment. More as a keeper because you had one as a kid or something. Nice ride though. Already gone. Someone got a good deal as far as I’m concerned. Really like the late 60’s early 70’s center console and shifter
I bought a new 77 Omega Brougham with the ubiquitous GM (Chevrolet) 305, FE2 suspension, quick ratio/variable ratio power steering, E78-14s on 14×7 Ralleye wheels, and . After fitting urethane bushings on the front and rear sway bars and larger gas shocks I erased the E78s in 10,000 miles. Fitted F70-14 Dunlop Elites and it handled real well. Added a CB and decent (Pioneer) stereo/cassettte deck. Later I fitted headers and turbo mufflers. Drove it from Idaho Falls to Buffalo in under 3 days at an average speed of 56 mph, with stopping for meals and motels. Yes in had the half vinyl roof. Got married, had a kid and the rear facing child seat would fit. Traded it for a Cutless.
The Omega was a practical not too small and not too big Nova clone with Oldsmobile trim. The 350 engine ran well in the but owners expected more MPG from a compact car. Car for sale has a nice color and presents well. Wonder if it has working a/c being from Canada?
The car never had a/c. No center dash vents says so. And no a/c hoses or hints thereof, coming out of the heat box under the hood.
Must concur w/’Bob C.’
My personal-order 1980 Buick LeSabre had the Buick L77/350 under its bonnet. As well, I ordered the BT1 Lawman [Buick-named] police package. For 1981 (Lawman’s final year), Buick initially marketed their 252/4bl.V6 for police. Though after numerous overheating & LE protests, the Olds 307/4bl. was substituted from Feb. to final build out.
It’s gone from Craigslist, so it must have sold, but that begs the question, was the asking price of $18k in Canadian or American dollars? If that’s $18k American, that’s approximately $24.5k Canadian. If the $18k asking price is in Canadian dollars, that’s about $13.25k American.
https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert/?Amount=18000&From=CAD&To=USD
Unless there was some Cam, head and valve work done this is still pretty tame. Intake, carb and headers are cool but don’t do all that much alone.
True, but the new owner can tackle some of that with the money they save by having the body work done already!
The ultimate SLEEPER, something that looks plane Jane but LIVES in the passing lane! There was a day when You could basically customize your ride by special order from the factory! This is the ultimate example of that!