Now here’s a terrific sighting of a car that’s become extremely rare hereabouts. Rivera Notario posted it at the Cohort, and notes that it was shot on April 1 of this year. The white walls may not be quite correct, but it looks to be in splendid shape otherwise.
Curiously enough, the last time we posted a similar car was also from a distant country, that time Austria. Yet I’ve never found one myself. These Omegas must have been enthusiastic ex-pats.
This particular model was rare in the U. S. even when it was new. In some other post on this site someone gave the break down among the Chevrolet Citation, Pontiac Phoenix, Oldsmobile Omega, and Buick Skylark. I don’t remember which exactly was the least popular but the Omega coupe was definitely seldom seen.
The driver may be actor Paul Sorvino’s doppelgänger. 🙂
It is a very impressive photo. In fact, it looks almost like a photoshoot for a modern car. The lighting, composition and staging looks a lot like imagery for a current car ad. Only the twist is, it’s a vintage car. The background and characters in the frame, looks like ad agency level detailing. Very cool shot!
Of the 1980 X-cars, I liked the Omega the least. I didn’t think applying mid-size/full-sized car styling to a small compact worked. It cheapened the styling branding Olds had going on with its larger cars. I thought brougham styling looked tacky on a small car. Something GM (and Chrysler) attempted too many times in the 80s.
Agreed — I did think it was circa-1980 advert. photo.
The white walls look fine to me. They were still the standard upscale thing in 1980 — altho a bit thinner.
My parents had a 4-dr. Omega — lush & smooth — A mini-limo ….. with velour & 8-track…..
How & when did this one reach Santiago de Chile, and remain in fine shape? If only those single sealed beams, watching for 40 years, could talk!
I travelled to Chile seven years ago and was amazed at the sheer diversity of cars down there. I remember being bowled over by Volvo Amazon sitings. I recall reading GM sold Canadian Beaumonts in Chile.
Yes they sure did.
Some were even titled as ’70 models
Chile has one of the most robust and very diverse automotive markets, thanks to the free trade agreements with United States, Canada, Australia, European Union, and others. Additionally, Chile, like Mexico and several other countries, allows either FMVSS or UNECE.
It’s same with Perú, Ecuador, and Colombia, too.
Paul Sorvino…
Paul Sorvino is a fine actor but, frankly, I’d much rather see a photo of his daughter, Mira.
As for me I liked the Buick Skylark/Oldsmobile Omega’s better than the Chevy Citation/Pontiac Phoenix’s, the Omega was the only car of the X-bodies that sold better during the 1981 model year than the 1980 model year.
I’m probably weird but I like these, none of the other X cars do it for me but the waterfall split grille is very 1967 Cougarish and the coke bottle kickup in the quarters is a welcome flourish in these dark dystopian broughamy straight edge sheer look times.
Yeah, between the two best-looking X-car coupes (Omega and Skylark), I think I might have to give the nod to the Olds for the very reasons mentioned.
That’s a now rare and interesting piece of automotive history in beautiful shape. Someone clearly has taken good care of this car through the years. I think the X bodies varied significantly in quality depending on what year they came out and what plant they came from, and the Buick/Olds versions were a little better and generally a lot plusher than the Chevy/Pontiac counterparts.
I liked these a lot when they came out. I remember some interesting two-tone combinations being available.
Haven’t seen one in years, and that includes at the big Oldsmobile only shows here in Lansing.
Looks wise , I think,GM did a good job on the various X bodies. too bad the cars suffered from so many all to typical GM shortcuts. Another potential diamond that was just a piece of low grade coal from the bowels of the (once) mighty GM.
Now decades removed from it’s original context, this looks less like a real Oldsmobile and more like a Japanese tribute car.
So thaaat’s where Paulie is hiding!
Re the car: I had an 81 Skylark, and I don’t have to tell you what a POS that was, so that will save some typing.
Is there any significance to the date the photo was taken ?
Gorgeous photo, Ramón!
+1 – Love the atmosphere captured here.
The last Omega I recall seeing was in the late 80s when it was the daily driver of the wife of the senior partner at my office. GMs downfall was demonstrated in their lives which morphed from a Cadillac and an Omega in 1984-86 (following a decades-long pattern of GM ownership) to a Town Car and a Mustang by 1990.
I test drove an Omega for my mother right after they came out in 1980. She had just about made up her mind on an Omni but I told her about these. She sent me to check it out as she was recovering from knee surgery. It was way more expensive and she saw no need to drive it for herself, which surprised me. Bullet dodged.
The ES2800 showed that there was hope for this car. Barely. Haven’t seen one in a very long time. But if someone can stash away a Plymouth TC3, maybe there’s hope