1974 Buick Apollo Coupe review from North America

Gas tank needed to be replaced because of a rust hole in it soon after purchasing.

Needed new transmission (I shouldn't be complaining I pounded the crap out of that transmission) at about 35000 miles.

Smog pump went bad within 2 or 3 months of purchasing. Simple fix just cut the belt to the smog pump and get that emissions junk out of the way!

Had points ignition upgraded to h.e.i (high energy ignition) at the same time I had the 2 barrel changed over to a 4 barrel carburetor at about 40000 miles no problems with the old stuff just wanted a more powerful car!

Ignition module went out at about 44000 miles. I should have replaced that anyways after I got the ignition upgraded. The h.e.i unit was used and I think the mechanic that installed it put in a used ignition module so I'm not surprised it went out. I'm just glad I was only a block away from an auto parts store.

Water pump went bad at about 45000 miles. I ain't complaining I was able to get it to my house about 12 miles away when it went by filling up the radiator then fixed it at home.

Rust developing all over the car and the paint is fading. But that should be expected with a car this old. Oh well the color of the paint won't wasn't that great anyhow (goldish tan)

The worst thing that happened to my car was an accident at 50 miles an hour when a girl pulled out of a 2 way stop and right in front of my car (the interesting thing was it was the valedictorian of my high school! And on a cell phone while driving!). Since there was no time to react my car went head-on with the s-10. I smashed up hers beyond repair. Mine was able to be fixed for $1900 too bad we both had the same insurance company otherwise I would probably have gotten more. Oh well it still runs and no one was injured in the accident! Despite that fact that none of us in the car were wearing seat belts!! This car is a tank. It is a solid piece of machinery that dates back to a time in America when cars were cars were built to have a personality and not econocars that no one would mind if it went to the junkyard!!

The engine is heavily detuned from the governments heavy restriction on emission beginning in 1971. However it has enough torque at low enough RPMs (270 @ 2000 RPMs better than just about every car out there today besides the high performance cars!) to be a real street performer, and because I got the 4 barrel on it, now gets up and moves at higher RPMs. Its too bad I'm gonna have to sell my prized car because I can't afford the gas mileage. But I'll sure miss the car.