Omega 73 hatchback resto-project
August 28th, 2013, 08:39 AM
#1
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Omega 73 hatchback resto-project
Hello,
I would like to share my 'progress' on my restoration of my '73 Omega. Since the beginning I've replaced the lower frontfenderpanels, the lower corners on the doors, the complete windshieldframe and the rear innerfenders. I've made it all, except the upperdashpanel, from sheetmetal, since I can't get it here in Europe.
Next up is to replace the quarterpanels (which I had to ship from the US) and the complete tailpanel which I'm gonna make myself. I'm also thinking of giving it a mild custom look with a 70 camaro rear bumper and different taillights. I know some of you maybe despise that idea, but I think it will look cool!
The frontbumper will be tucked and I will make myself a new grille. If that doesn't turn out nice, I can always put the original grille back in... DSCN1253.jpg
DSCN2727.jpg
DSCN2875.jpg
DSCN7250.jpg
IMG-20130703-01010.jpg
I would like to share my 'progress' on my restoration of my '73 Omega. Since the beginning I've replaced the lower frontfenderpanels, the lower corners on the doors, the complete windshieldframe and the rear innerfenders. I've made it all, except the upperdashpanel, from sheetmetal, since I can't get it here in Europe.
Next up is to replace the quarterpanels (which I had to ship from the US) and the complete tailpanel which I'm gonna make myself. I'm also thinking of giving it a mild custom look with a 70 camaro rear bumper and different taillights. I know some of you maybe despise that idea, but I think it will look cool!
The frontbumper will be tucked and I will make myself a new grille. If that doesn't turn out nice, I can always put the original grille back in... DSCN1253.jpg
DSCN2727.jpg
DSCN2875.jpg
DSCN7250.jpg
IMG-20130703-01010.jpg
August 28th, 2013, 09:06 AM
#3
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I don't blame you on the tail lights those trim pieces rust very easy and there's none around but still the tail lights and the front grills are what make it an Omega and not a Nova. Take that away and well......
railguy
railguy
August 28th, 2013, 09:29 AM
#4
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Hi,
I'm definitely not turning my Omega into a Nova! I just want to give the car a more slick look on the rear. Indeed my taillights are dried out/cracked and useless and the tailpanel is rusted. It's impossible to find another pair of taillights here in Europe.
And I still keep my Omega 'twin'grille. I just want to experiment with a different, homemade pair of grilles. Having and carrying out own ideas keeps the brain goin'!
I'm definitely not turning my Omega into a Nova! I just want to give the car a more slick look on the rear. Indeed my taillights are dried out/cracked and useless and the tailpanel is rusted. It's impossible to find another pair of taillights here in Europe.
And I still keep my Omega 'twin'grille. I just want to experiment with a different, homemade pair of grilles. Having and carrying out own ideas keeps the brain goin'!
August 28th, 2013, 09:52 AM
#5
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Nice. My brother had the same car, many years ago, in the same horrible yellow color.
Back then, of course, his had no rust.
Straight six with TH350 shift on the column.
Great car - small, but roomy enough, and the hatchback meant you could stuff all kinds of things in it.
- Eric
Back then, of course, his had no rust.
Straight six with TH350 shift on the column.
Great car - small, but roomy enough, and the hatchback meant you could stuff all kinds of things in it.
- Eric
August 28th, 2013, 11:22 AM
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March 14th, 2014, 01:30 PM
#8
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Miserable windshield frame
Here's some pictures of the totally rusted out windshieldframe of my '73 Omega. I took all the rusted parts out and replaced them with new homemade pieces of sheetmetal. Quite a puzzle!
March 14th, 2014, 02:11 PM
#14
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Custom rear
Found a '73 rear Camarobumper which will fit the car perfect. Had to take the vertical ends of the bumper of to give it a tighter look. After welding & sanding the bumpers will painted in high-gloss black.
Also think the new Camaro taillights combined with the smaller bumper wil give the car a smooth look.
Also think the new Camaro taillights combined with the smaller bumper wil give the car a smooth look.
Last edited by Marc Holland; March 22nd, 2014 at 06:57 AM.
March 14th, 2014, 02:18 PM
#17
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Custom Grille
Made an effort to make a new grille. Hard to imagine if it will look nice once the whole car is finished. If not, I can always put back the original grille. The new grille will be painted glossblack, along with the frontbumper en frontspoiler.
March 22nd, 2014, 07:07 AM
#20
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Working on the front bumper!
Because I took out the fiberglass filler there was a great gap between the headlights and the bumper. So I made & weld in these 3 mm plates to fill the gaps.
March 25th, 2014, 01:52 PM
#21
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March 28th, 2014, 12:10 PM
#27
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April 5th, 2014, 05:26 AM
#28
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Integrated frontbumperlights
Put two round lights in the frontbumper, but wasn't really satisfied with how it looked in the square opening. So I weld in sheetmetal and made a housing from a round piece of tubemetal (is that how it's called?) Looks a lot better. Only needs some finishing touch of sanding.
Last edited by Marc Holland; April 11th, 2014 at 04:46 AM.
April 30th, 2014, 03:51 AM
#30
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Custom Gascap
Made a start with the custom gascap i'm gonna make. Took a piece of tube and made a hole in the sheetmetal. Weld the tube to the piece of sheetmetal. The piece will be placed between the rearlights. Next step is to connect the gascap with the existing fueltube.
Ordered a gascap from slingshotracing which will be placed in the hole.
Ordered a gascap from slingshotracing which will be placed in the hole.
Last edited by Marc Holland; May 2nd, 2014 at 02:51 AM.
April 30th, 2014, 04:42 AM
#32
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Well, the 'easy' part is the rough fabrication. Found out that the really hard part is the finishing. Hope the final result is indeed an Oldsmobile with a original, personal touch. Glad you think the same way. Love your car by the way. Thats a car which doesn't need any customizing!
April 30th, 2014, 04:46 AM
#33
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And you live in California! Thats a bit different than living in the North of The Netherlands....
April 30th, 2014, 04:55 AM
#34
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Yeah but maybe not different in a good way other than alot of mostly rust free cars waiting for their resurrection can be found. Problem is the CA mark up on those too! haha Thanks for the compliments. She is a good looking driver but has her issues and I'll see all of them when I eventually do a frame off.
May 4th, 2014, 01:35 AM
#35
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Custom Center Console
As you can see on the fourth picture, the original 'centerconsole' isn't really spectacular. Did some searching on the Net and found some nice examples of DIY centerconsoles, made of wood, foam or sheetmetal. I chose sheetmetal 'cause thats close to home for me.
Made the first piece that will be the 'base' of the rest of the console. I will make a curved piece which will be attached to the bottom of the dashpanel and a curved piece which will go to the backseat. But this is the start!
Made the first piece that will be the 'base' of the rest of the console. I will make a curved piece which will be attached to the bottom of the dashpanel and a curved piece which will go to the backseat. But this is the start!
June 1st, 2014, 07:16 AM
#37
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New tailpanel, second version.
And again I wasn't happy with something I made at first. After spending hours on making a tailpanel including de gascap, I got another idea so I all these hours were wasted....
The second version is the panel as seen on the photo's. Unfortunatily I had to remove the fueltank 'cause the fillertube was to long. I'm really satisfied with the result though.
The second version is the panel as seen on the photo's. Unfortunatily I had to remove the fueltank 'cause the fillertube was to long. I'm really satisfied with the result though.
June 22nd, 2014, 01:58 PM
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Cleaning up the gastank
Since I had to remove the gastank it gave me the opportunity to take of all the rust and filth. After two hours all the coating was in my hair and beard but it came out nice. Already ordered new exhaust-parts which is gonna be the next step.
