Numerous Present, Very Little Go.
Would you purchase low cost tickets to see the Rolling Stone carry out reside, if the value discount meant the band would play very quietly? Wouldn’t it be sufficient to simply see Mick and Keith, or would you need to hear them as properly?
Whereas this query could appear absurd, Oldsmobile determined to ask clients roughly the identical query again in 1977. The Seventies had been a darkish time for auto followers, what with low-lead gasoline cramping efficiency, excessive gas costs, and inflation-inflated sticker costs, automobile possession was by no means much less enjoyable.
1977 Oldsmobile Omega
Diminished Expectations
Worse, carmakers had been below strain from the federal authorities to enhance gas financial system, this at a time when Individuals had not but absolutely embraced downsized, or small-displacement engines.
So, in a delicate—and maybe misguided—try to lure sporty-car intenders away from fuel-thirsty engines, Oldsmobile provided consumers free sporty stuff—however provided that they went with the bottom V6 engine. Let’s name the entire fiasco an experiment.
One 12 months Solely
We’re speaking concerning the compact Olds Omega, a likable clone of the Chevrolet Nova, and doubtlessly sporty when correctly outfitted. And the “free” stuff was really fairly compelling.
For 1977—and solely 1977—Oldsmobile provided without charge the SX Options Group when consumers bought 4 different enjoyable gadgets. That’s “9 gadgets for the value of 4” as famous within the advert seen right here.
Right here’s what you needed to buy:
V6-Sports activities Pack
Sport Gauge Group
Tremendous Inventory Wheels
Raised white-letter tires
Bucket seats
Right here’s what you bought without cost:
SX Options Group
SX Décor
Customized Sport Steering Wheel
Twin Outdoors Sport Mirrors
“Open Street” FE2 Suspension
Rocker-panel/wheel-opening molding trim
Good, however Sluggish
What this obtained you, as an Omega proprietor, was a very nice, handsome automobile with a succesful sport suspension that couldn’t get out of its personal manner. The automobile seemed nice, and the game suspension actually did enhance dealing with. However below the hood…nothing however remorse and disappointment.
Engines
As famous above, to get the free SX Options Group, clients needed to persist with the bottom engine. And that engine was the 105-horsepower Buick-sourced 3.8-liter V6. And whereas most had been hooked to a 3-speed computerized transmission, a 3-speed handbook is also had.
Now, a 145-horsepower Chevy-built 5.0-liter V8 was additionally out there, however ordering it forfeited the SX Group low cost. Notice that California residents might additionally order a 170-horsepower 5.7-liter V8, which got here solely with an computerized. Both V8 would have been a dramatic step up from the V6, and would have made this sporty-looking Oldsmobile enjoyable to drive, as properly. One evaluate had the Omega with V6 and computerized transmission reaching 60 mph from a cease in 14.5 seconds, whereas the same Omega fitted with the out there 5.0-liter made the run in about 10.0 seconds.
Worth
And what was that the free package deal price? For 1977, the SX Options Group retailed for $187, that’s about $1000, inflation adjusted.
No phrase on what number of consumers availed themselves of the promotion, however it’s price noting the free-package deal disappeared for 1978. We suspect most SX-group-equipped Omegas had been ordered with one of many V8 choices, making for a great-looking, fairly sporty—by 1977 requirements—compact coupe.
“Rugged” V6
We hope the copywriter chargeable for this sentence by no means discovered advert work once more:
“To make it go, there’s a rugged 231 V-6 that’s obtained loads of muscle…”
Unsure what’s meant right here by rugged, however we’re positive nobody acquainted with the automobile ever described the V6’s output utilizing the phrase “lots.” The man who wrote that line would in all probability purchase low cost Rolling Stones tickets.
Hearken to the Automobile Stuff Podcast
Oldsmobile Omega SX photos
Click on under for enlarged pictures
