Oldsmobile Omega First generation 1973–1974
| Oldsmobile Omega | |
|---|---|
1982 Oldsmobile Omega
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Oldsmobile (General Motors) |
| Model years | 1973–1984 |
| Assembly | Lansing, Michigan, United States |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact |
| Platform | X-body |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais |
The Oldsmobile Omega is a compact car that was manufactured and sold from 1973 through 1984 by Oldsmobile.
The name omega was used to imply the last, the end, or the ultimate limit of a set, in contrast to alpha, the first letter of the Greek alphabet There were two generations of Omegas, both badge-engineered Chevrolet models, and both using the GM X platform architecture:- 1973–1979 - rear-wheel-drive, related to the Chevrolet Nova.
- 1980–1984 - front-wheel-drive, related to the Chevrolet Citation.
First generation (1973–1974)
| First generation | |
|---|---|
1973 Oldsmobile Omega coupe
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| Overview | |
| Model years | 1973–1974 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style |
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| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | X-body |
| Related |
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| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 111 in (2,819.4 mm) |
The Omega was one of 3 X-body Chevrolet Nova clones introduced in 1973 (the Buick Apollo being the other one; the Pontiac Ventura was introduced in 1971). Naturally it shared the Nova's body and many of its mechanicals, but it had its own unique nose and tail, and, being an Oldsmobile, it had a little fancier trim than the Nova. It even borrowed the Nova's dashboard, but Olds added woodgrain trim to it for a more upscale look.
The front grille sported Oldsmobile's trademark split "waterfall" grille design, round headlights set into square recesses, and parking lights directly below in the bumper. Body styles mirrored that of the Nova, starting with a 2-door coupe, 3-door hatchback or a 4-door sedan.
Engine choices were the standard Chevy-built 4.1L (250 cid) I6 with a 3-speed manual transmission standard, with a 4-speed manual or a 2- or 3-speed automatic optional. The lone V8 option was Oldsmobile's 5.7L (350 cid) "Rocket" V8, which had a 4-speed manual as standard with the 3-speed automatic optional. V8 models with the eight VIN digit being the letter "K" received a 4-barrel Rochester carburetor. All other V8 engines received the standard 2-barrel version. There were also 53 Doctor Oldsmobile Omega's built in 73 all with vin code KL3 All were built in Van Nuys California and were sold at Century Oldsmobile in Van Nuys California. This option was canceled in 1974 and Oldsmobile redesigned the Omega and added the S option and also a base and upper-level Brougham. Not many changes at all in 1974 other than the 2-speed Powerglide transmission being dumped, the parking lights being relocated inboard below the grille instead of the headlights and a new rear bumper design which met the federal government's new 5-mph impact standards. There would be an all-new Omega in 1975.