It was changing time at Oldsmobile in 1978, a year that ushered in a new diesel engine while ushering out the last of the really big, big cars, the Toronado. As a last hurrah, Oldsmobile offered, for its second and final year, the “XS Treatment,” which afforded the swankiest of Toronado buyers a PPG “bent-glass” back window and a standard sliding sunroof. It was, however, an expensive package at around $10,700 new, about $2,500 more than a standard Toronado Brougham, and this kept production to just 2,453 cars in 1978. Those that have survived seem to have survived well, as this 57,000-mile original attests. Barn Finder T.J. spotted it on eBay in Clarkston, Washington; the high bid is currently $6,000, but there is a “Buy It Now” option of $12,500.

The Toronado of the 1970s was unabashedly baroque in the most glorious sense; the heavily sculpted rear and trunk-mounted brake lights made sure of that, but the bent-glass backlite added another shade to the palette, so to speak. It doesn’t hurt that this example is painted one of the most attractive colors in Oldsmobile’s 1978 repertoire, a simple “Light Blue.”

Even more “1978” is the interior, a plush, inviting affair that just happens to be fully loaded (as per the seller’s listing). It has a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, power seats, temperature control, and more. Unfortunately, the “heater/AC temp control needs to be replaced to operate heat/AC.” The seller says that the part is available for less than $300, but I’d rather it were repaired before I bought the car.

Aside from that, the interior looks excellent, almost new.

There are no engine compartment photos, but the Toronado came standard with a 190 horsepower 403-cubic-inch Oldsmobile, which more importantly produced 325 lb.-ft. of torque. The transaxle’s final drive ratio was 2.73:1, so the Toronado is certain to be a quiet cruiser. There are no undercarriage pictures either, but the seller says that the XS is “all original with zero rust,” and that it’s always been a Washington car.

It seems that there are no gray areas with 1970s luxo-boats; buyers either love them or hate them. If you love them, the last of the big Toronados has to be the kind of car to raise your eyebrows and perhaps even open your wallet. The XS cars that come up for sale seem to be well-preserved as a whole, as if their original owners knew they were special, and this one is no exception. Considering that it is also painted in an attractive blue, maybe this is the Toronado for you.