Rocket V8 Project: 1973 Oldsmobile Omega
Except for Cadillac, the other GM divisions got on the Chevrolet Nova bandwagon in the early 1970s. The popular Bow-Tie compact spawned the Pontiac Ventura, Buick Apollo, and Oldsmobile Omega. Olds got in on the act in 1973 with the X-body refresh that came with hatchbacks, larger rear side windows, and bigger bumpers. The seller’s ’73 Omega has been on the market for some time, perhaps due to its frozen engine. So, this Olds, located in Brigham City, Utah, is a project and may be priced as such at $5,000 here on Facebook Marketplace.
Oldsmobile hadn’t had a compact car in its portfolio since 1964 when it promoted the F-85/Cutlass to mid-size status. And gaining one in 1973 was easy for Olds by copying the Nova platform. The front clip and the taillights were different, and little else changed (the Omega even used Nova’s dashboard). But if you ordered a V8 engine, you got the 350 cubic inch “Rocket” V8 instead of Chevy’s 350 “Turbo-Fire”. The mileage on the seller’s car isn’t known, but it’s enough for the motor to no longer be operational.
The body on this Olds looks okay and the red paint is faded, though the application of some Simoniz might help. The interior looks acceptable, too, though in one photo there is a slit in the driver’s seat cushion and the dashpad is cracked. The seller says the ’73 Omega was the “best of its class” but we don’t know if that was an official declaration or just the opinion of the seller.
This Omega is said to have only had two owners, which implies that it was maintained well enough to last 51 years. Rocket V8s aren’t scarce, so maybe if you find one and drop it in this car, you’d end up with a decent daily driver. 26,000 2-door Omegas were built in ‘73 (not the hatchback version), and you don’t see them much anymore though Nova fans would probably take notice. Maybe the car is still available, or perhaps the seller simply forgot to take down the ad (that happens a lot on Marketplace).
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Comments
The olds 403ci V8 from a trans am is a drop in replacement for the 350. On the other hand, the 350 could be rebuilt to the 1970 W-31 specs and deliver 325hp which would really liven this ride up. And all your typical nova suspension parts to make it handle, will bolt right on. Could be a fun project and car.
I would rather have the standard Chevy V8. GM had those perfected and parts are going to be easier. I never could understand why GM divisions felt they needed separate slightly different engines. Ford and Chrysler never did that across their divisions and they did just fine.
GM divisions competed almost as much among themselves as they did against Ford and Chrysler. Brand loyalty was a strong motivation also. I remember the complaints when GM started putting Chevrolet engines in everything in the late 70’s, Olds, Buick, and especially Pontiac guys were hot!
Rusty the Pontiac division delivered on the streets w the mid range torque.. Right wear you need it.
GM should have never given in to the divisions in the first place, because once they had to take it away (for common sense) they were bitter, like sulking little children. The divisions had different body work, that alone should have made them distinctive. Stan, I am not saying the divisions didn’t make good engines, but GM needed to simplify. Perhaps some of those other engines could have made their way into Chevys. I imagine Camaro would have loved a 400 in the late 70s Actually, GM didn’t need all those divisions at all, and we later found out that GM thought so to. The problem today is that GM, like other makers, don’t make enough variety. The big truck and SUV idea, might make for big profits right now, but it is going to bite them in the back side sooner or later.
The Rocket 350 in one of these little cars would leave any Chevy 350 Nova in the dust . We had a very boring looking Colonial Gold 4 door Omega with the Rocket 350 and the 4 bbl carb . You could spin the tires off of that car all day if you wanted to !
Good Dr Olds added his own seasonings to the 350 🚀
It was listed 41 weeks ago in marketplace. That raises a bunch of questions.
It starts with the price. This make and model doesn’t have a strong following, it and other cars without one compete on price, this trend is becoming more apparent as the market is softening. Cars with the main selling point of, “it will draw a crowd at coffee and cars” are going to lead the market down. After 41 weeks the seller should listen to the market and reevaluate his price.
Steve R
$5K!? and the motor’s locked…ha…no. One of Olds design department head scratchers to be sure. Let’s get a Nova and put an Cutlass grille on it, and Chevy Rallye wheels…..maybe worth $1500 for the next guy to put in an LS crate motor…
GM’s divisions were once far more independent with far more unique products. General Motors dictated the body designs and styles, but they were much more radically differentiated than they have been for the last 20 years.
Engines and transmissions also were key to the character of the divisions. While there were some common analogies and basic design, different engines were considered essential for the character of each individual brand
With the advent of pollution control technology, and the need to rapidly improve fuel economy, this became a very expensive proposition.
A series of Oldsmobiles was created the Chevrolet engines, and marketed dishonestly. This was the final blow, and General motors began creating engines that were used across the product range
cooler than a nova. stuff a 455 in it and go. say bye bye nova
Definitely looks like a 1974 grill on that car- I had a 73 Omega KL3 code Olds 350/4V -super strong, super reliable!!!
Lots of facts and opinions here. Fact of the matter is that dealers often drive the idea to brass. People didn’t necessarily want an Omega or Apollo but the dealers didn’t want them leaving to find this car elsewhere. Fifty years ago deals were made over a few hundred dollars. Do you really want a stripped out Maverick, Nova or Valiant or this better appointed omega?