1974 Buick Apollo - The Oppositelock Review.

"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
10/13/2014 at 16:15 • Filed to: Oppositelock Review

I've mentioned my Buick a few times, and shown a few pictures, and each time, more have been requested. Since I have Columbus Day off, and my daughter is taking a nap, I thought I'd sit down and write an actual review. Actually, she's in her crib, playing with her stuffed animals instead of napping, but she's happy, so all is well.

( Full disclosure: I wanted to own a cool old car so badly, that after a year and a half of working a real job, living by myself, and saving literally tens of dollars, I decided to buy this Buick using one of those credit card cash advance checks. Pretty freaking stupid.)

Anyways, I bought the Buick seven years ago, from a body guy who had purchased it from the nephew of the original owner. It was your typical little old lady takes the car to church on Sunday car, complete with religious statues stuck to the dash, and hardware store letters reading "GAS" and "BRAKE" over their corresponding pedals (YIKES!!!). The car had 13k miles on it, when he purchased it. Because I live in the rust-belt, it still needed new quarters. So those were hung on the car, and it was repainted the original cinnamon color, but with extra metal flake mixed in, for some extra pop. All the rubber bits and bobbles were changed, rally wheels with BFG Radial TA tires were added, and dual straight pipes were installed (badly). He racked up another 10k miles on it, before selling to to me. I assume he used the cash to fix up one of the three Oldsmobiles, sitting under tarps in his driveway.

Exterior - 9/10

Being a '74 model, sold in America, automatically means it has giant bumpers, sticking out way too far. Other than those warts, this car is sexy. I get compliments all the time. Most people say something to the effect of, "Nice Nova!". The Nova is indeed the sister car to the Apollo (also the Pontiac Ventura/GTO, and Oldsmobile Omega, because GM). Although Chevy managed to tack a whole bunch of ugly onto the Nova in '73 and '74, which thankfully did not carry over onto the Apollo.

Interior - 5/10

The Apollo isn't old enough to have a really cool or stylish interior. It's pretty bland and whatever in there. I don't find the seat to be particularly comfortable either. All in all, it's fine. I would have given it a six, if the AC worked. The nicest feature, is that I can reach all four window cranks from the drivers seat (when stopped, obviously).

Acceleration - 6/10

I'm being REALLY generous here. It has enough low end torque to toss you back in the seats a bit, and spin the tires. If you stay on it, it'll even chirp the tires when it shifts into second. The 350 cubic inch Buick V8, with a 2-barrel carburetor was rated at a whopping 150 HP when new. This isn't new, although the previous owner did swap over to a 4-barrel carburetor and removed the emissions garbage, so lets be super optimistic, and say it sill makes over 100 horsepower. OK, it's terribly slow. My '11 V6 Malibu would whip its ass in a drag race, but I smile a LOT more when driving the Apollo.

Braking- 3/10

It was front disc/rear drum brakes. They're small, because they have to fit into a 14" wheel, but they do stop in an adequate distance for normal driving. Just be prepared, as it sometimes pulls pretty hard under braking, but not always, and not always the same direction.

Ride- 4/10

The ride is floaty, but not in a nice soft way, like an old Caddy, or a big Buick. It's floaty in a you really need to replace these 40 year old springs and shocks way.

Handling- 2/10

In handles like a bag of ball bearings. You can feel the completely cashed-out bushings deflecting as the rear end wobbles back and forth on a freeway ramp. If you hit a bump during a right hand turn, the left tire rubs the inner fender. It's not so bad that you can't drive it, but you really have to stay on top of it, and drive the thing, because it will try to kill you. Shortly after I bought it, my girlfriend at the time (now wife) started bugging me to let her drive it. I think she was doing it, just because she didn't think I'd let her. I'm a, "Hey, it's just a car, and it's insured," kind of guy, so I let her. She drove three blocks, pulled over, and said, "OK, I'm done."

Gearbox - 7/10

The Apollo has a column shifted automatic, as a Buick damn well should. It's a 3-speed turbo 350 hydromatic, and it gets the job done. I had the trans rebuilt a few years ago, and they're so simple and common, that the job only cost $650, including the labor to take the trans in and out. As I mentioned before, it'll chirp the tires shifting into second gear, if you stay on it. Not bad, for a stock rebuild. It also downshifts quick enough, when I stomp on it for passing power.

Toys- 8/10

It's a classic car, it is the toy. If it was faster, and handled/stopped better, I'd have given it a ten.

Audio - 8/10

If I could go back in time, and change one thing about the work the previous owned did, it would be installing a stereo. He cut the dash to put in an old Sony head unit, with no back light, he cut the door panels to put in some crappy speakers that don't work in all, and he cut the package tray to put in some 6x9's that do emit sound, but barely and terribly.

But none of that matters, because straight pipes. The problem with them, is they have a small leak somewhere, that I've never bothered to try and find or fix. However, despite the Buick's lack of horsepower, when you stomp on the loud pedal, the gates of hell open up, and the most beautiful, mean-ass, burbling, growling V8 sounds fill your ear holes, and the ear holes of everybody around for blocks. Every time I hit the gas, I get a huge shit-eating grin on my face. Yes, it is very illegal, but the cops around here don't seem to give a crap, as I take it easy near peoples' homes.

Value - 9/10

I paid $5800 (plus 3% interest) for this car. That's a lot of car for the money. Find a similar '74 Chevy Nova, and you'll pay $10k easily for it, and it'll be uglier.

Total - 61/100

Engine: 350 cubic inch naturally aspirated V8
Power: 150 HP/200+ LB-FT at some low RPM
Transmission: Thee speed column shifted automatic
0-60 Time: Laughable
Top Speed: I haven't had the guts to take it over 85 mph.
Drivetrain: Rear wheel drive (duh!)
Curb Weight: 3300-ish pounds (wild ass guess)
Seating: Technically 6 people, comfortably, 4 people
MPG: 13 city/17 highway (observed)
MSRP: More than a '74 Nova

Here's some more pictures, for your viewing pleasure.

DISCUSSION (37)

505Turbeaux > shop-teacher
10/13/2014 at 16:17

I just found a silver Ventura laying in someones back parking area the other day. Going to sneak and take some pictures here soon enough. Looks pretty sweet. Your Apollo looks very nice!

shop-teacher > 505Turbeaux
10/13/2014 at 16:20

Thanks! I dig the Ventura as well, so I look forward to pictures of it.

ly2v8-Brian > shop-teacher
10/13/2014 at 16:24

Awesome! Your Apollo is fantastic. Imagine the amount of tire destruction if by chance a Buick 455 was installed.

Imirrelephant > shop-teacher
10/13/2014 at 16:27

Love the Apollo! Thanks for the review. Any plans for future repairs/mods?

shop-teacher > ly2v8-Brian
10/13/2014 at 16:27

That would be fantastic! I'd love to do an LS swap too, as played out as that's become, because I'd like to make the car handle well.

shop-teacher > Imirrelephant
10/13/2014 at 16:32

Thank you! I've been wanting to upgrade the suspension since I bought it. Getting married, buying a house, and having kids keeps getting in the way of having money for that, but one of these days it'll happen. I really should repair the AC too, so my wife will be willing to ride with me in it.

JGrabowMSt > shop-teacher
10/13/2014 at 16:33

Oh no, do the 455 swap instead. Ditches love LS swaps, and you need to keep that thing away from all the ditches.

ly2v8-Brian > shop-teacher
10/13/2014 at 16:35

It can be a pain to get mods for them but the Buick engine family has interesting choices. Like the nailhead, your 350, the fore mentioned 455, and the 3.8 v6. For you I would suggest a camshaft upgrade. A mild cam should give a decent power boost with out needing to upgrade your Rotating assembly. Heads would be good but that can be difficult for an BOP engine.

shop-teacher > JGrabowMSt
10/13/2014 at 16:35

I probably won't do any swap, but I agree with your ditch sentiment :)

I've read up on the power potential of the Buick 350, and a street-able 350 hp is very doable. That'll be plenty, I'm not looking to build a race car out of it.

shop-teacher > ly2v8-Brian
10/13/2014 at 16:38

A rebuild with upgraded cam and ported heads is most likely the way I'll go. I can get plenty of power that way. It'll always be a street car. It's too nice to cut up into a race car, which I couldn't afford to do anyways.

Coty > shop-teacher
10/13/2014 at 17:07

Gorgeous car. Like I said the other day, better looks and name than the Nova of the same year.

shop-teacher > Coty
10/13/2014 at 17:10

Thanks again!

Aquila76 > shop-teacher
10/13/2014 at 21:17

My first car was a 70's Apollo, back in High School in the 90's. I agree with every sentiment you have. Not the fastest ride, thank God, because the handling was on par with a couch on coasters. Friends would ask to drive my 'classic' and I'd say "Good luck!" as I tossed the keys. Only had an AM radio, but that V8 sound though, was like hearing Kari Wurher screaming your name (I did mention this was in the 90's, right?). Anyway, some (assumed) meth-head stole it in '93 and I never got it back. So I bought a Skylark.

FunFact: "Nova" was actually an acronym for Nova, Omega, Ventura, Apollo. Apparently GM ran out of name ideas by the time it got to Chevy.

shop-teacher > Aquila76
10/13/2014 at 21:23

Ha! I'm going to be stealing the line: "Handling was on par with a couch on casters."

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > shop-teacher
10/13/2014 at 23:40

It might be a malaise car, but it is beautiful. I love the color! it is perfect!

Jedidiah > shop-teacher
10/14/2014 at 00:52

The names of the GM x-bodies spell Nova. Clever platform engineering naming scheme. At least in 74 they had motors and interiors unique to each division unlike later years.

(N)ova

(O)mega

(V)entura

(A)pollo

shop-teacher > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
10/14/2014 at 05:51

Thanks!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > shop-teacher
10/20/2014 at 14:00

Ahhh a more thorough post awesome.

God I love these things

And if you've never seen a Montego, I'd be happy to give you a ride if you're ever in town. That plate says Illinois, next time you're out in Michigan/Detroit area let me know!

shop-teacher > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
10/20/2014 at 14:19

I'll take you up on that offer, whenever I make it to the Detroit area!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > shop-teacher
10/20/2014 at 14:27

Absolutely, and we can leave the wives and children somewhere, I see yours is crib age and also resistant to naps, and also prefers the stuffed animals to naps lol

shop-teacher > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
10/20/2014 at 16:33

Well, eventually she'll nap ... usually :)

Lately our cat has been sneaking into her room at bedtime, prompting her to stay awake for two extra hours talking to him. We've now learned to check his hidey holes in her room, before closing the door.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > shop-teacher
10/20/2014 at 16:40

haha, our dog wants to go in his room all the time, he's not allowed though.

We've gotten him to the point where instead of going in (even with the door open) he lays down with just his paws through the doorway.

those 2 are obsessed with each other.

And mine will normally nap eventually too. The stuffed animals sometimes lead to a delay.

We cheat though- we have a video monitor (best ebay purchase I ever made in my LIFE)

shop-teacher > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
10/20/2014 at 16:56

Video monitors rule!

For a while, he was hanging out just outside her room too. Then we got complacent, and he snuck in again this weekend. She was really tired, so she went right to sleep anyways, and we decided to just leave the cat in there for the night. We paid for that in the morning though!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > shop-teacher
10/20/2014 at 17:00

hahaha yeah you did.

I hope you have a video one, they are just the best ever.

shop-teacher > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
10/20/2014 at 18:09

We have a videi one, and it is great.

scenicview1 > shop-teacher
04/11/2015 at 01:25

What happened to the red, white, and blue emblem that is missing in front of the grille.

Not only that but the grille is blacked out for some reason.

shop-teacher > scenicview1
04/11/2015 at 08:12

The previous owner is to blame for those choices. I like the blacked out grill, but I would like to find an emblem to put back on it.

Blue2010SRT > shop-teacher
04/20/2015 at 14:05

Excellent review! Nice rare car in one of my favourite body styles. Great colour for it too.

shop-teacher > Blue2010SRT
04/20/2015 at 14:08

Thanks! The car was repainted in its original color, except the previous owned (who was a body guy) added extra metallic flake to make it pop. It really makes a difference.

StoneCold > shop-teacher
07/29/2015 at 23:13

Kinja'd!!!

MMMMMM MAGNUM500s MMMMMMMMMM!!

shop-teacher > StoneCold
07/29/2015 at 23:16

Those are actually factory Buick wheels :)

StoneCold > shop-teacher
07/29/2015 at 23:20

Kinja'd!!!

Wha...? But I...! It’s just that...!

Kinja'd!!!

Can you blame me?!?! XD

shop-teacher > StoneCold
07/29/2015 at 23:24

No, not at all. I love me some Magnum 500’s too!

dp455 > shop-teacher
08/07/2015 at 11:52

The small exhaust leak you mentioned is most likely in one of the manifolds. Every Buick v8 I’ve owned (a 430 and two 455s) had an exhaust manifold leak.

shop-teacher > dp455
08/07/2015 at 13:32

I wouldn’t doubt it.

dp455 > shop-teacher
08/07/2015 at 14:14

BTW, if I hade the extra cash and it was still up for sale, I would take that Buick off your hands in a heartbeat. Unfortunately I can’t justify buying it for much the same reason you are selling it. I’m a huge Buick fan and that’s a sharp car,

shop-teacher > dp455
08/07/2015 at 14:16

Thanks! And I totally understand :)