Cheap Wheels: 1975-1977 Oldsmobile Omega F-85 | Daily Drive | Consumer Guide® The Daily Drive
1975-77 Oldsmobile Omega F-85
Note: The following story is excerpted from the April 2021 issue of Collectible cars magazine.
Oldsmobile’s first compact was the 1961 F-85. In the middle of this year, the line added a luxury coupe called the Cutlass. By 1964, the F-85 had become a veritable mid-ranger, with the Cutlass being regarded by fans as a sporty premium line. By 1973, it had become the car the public was associated with midsize Oldsmobiles, and the F-85 was increasingly phased out.
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Oldsmobile Omega F-85
That same year, Oldsmobile returned to the compact game, this time with a Chevy Nova-based Omega. It was here that within a few years Olds saw fit to resurrect the F-85 moniker. This latest F-85 is a budget model – coupe only – for the second generation Omega. Far from being a completely clean redesign, the Omega ’75 was new enough. The available body styles continue as coupe, two-door hatchback and four-door sedan. A 250-inch inline six and a three-speed manual transmission are standard, but 260 and 350cc V8s and Turbo Hydra-matic trans are still available. Also new is GM’s catalytic converter, which requires the use of unleaded gasoline.
Omega prices start at $3,422 for a coupe, a substantial increase from $3043 in 1974. New from the start of the year is premium Salon trim for all body styles, with prices starting from $4148. Then in the model year, Oldsmobile launched the F-85 as Omega’s new price leader. With softer trim and upholstery that’s even less bright than the “base” two-door Omega, it saves $219, making it competitive with two-door compact models. entry levels from Chevrolet, Pontiac, Dodge, Plymouth, and Mercury in a tough year for car sales. The F-85 attracted 1673 buyers during its short run.
Omegas were nearly remade in 1976, though with new front styling and a more expensive 260 V8 that could be paired with a five-speed manual transmission. The F-85 is also back, but still lurking in the shadows. Indeed, the Olds brochure that year paid little attention to it. A profile illustration of the lime green Omega coupe car pinned with a coin located on the last page of the six-page Omega section shows it without light side window trims and standing on steel wheels of the same body color car with a “dog dish” cover. Interior views show the flat door panels and front bench seats in black vinyl and black and gray “Racine” fabric exteriors. What’s unspeakable (and unseen) is that the F-85 doesn’t get a new rear contour that gives other ’76 Omegas a “full view” between the taillights.
Base price rises to $3390, closing the gap between the F-85 and the next tallest coupe to just $95. Somehow, Olds dealers managed to deliver 3918 of them.
The big news for the Omega ’77 is that the Chevrolet-powered inline 6 has been replaced by Buick’s 231-inch V6. The optional V8 is now the Chevy 305, but California and high-altitude regions can only get the 350. Gearbox choices are switched to three-speed manual or Turbo Hydra-matic. The F-85 is back with the same low-rent formula. The nylon knit fabric on the padded front seats is now divided by a wide vinyl stripe between the driver and front passenger.
The F-85 costs up to $3653 without options. Olds only made 2241 more for its final season.
Photo features: 1962 Oldsmobile F-85 Jetfire Coupe hardtop
Professionally:
• Most of those looking for the GM compact aircraft of this era are probably keeping an eye on Novas or
Pontiac Venturas. However, Omega F-85s are never plentiful and survival rates
definitely low.
Child:
• The six-cylinder, in-line or V6 models make 105 hp only. Only 260 . V8 engine
gives 110 ponies, and the strongest 350 is ’77 good units for 170.
Last drive:
Lovers of cheap wheels who like obscure trim levels or familiar model names used in unexpected places should love the Omega F-85. That’s especially true if you love dog mooncakes and are allergic to chrome decorations. If any unicorns remain, the cheap champ should be ’76 with 260 V-8 and five-speed gearshift.
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Oldsmobile Omega F-85
Oldsmobile Omega F-85
Oldsmobile Omega F-85
