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.
Ohhhhh, that’s beautiful! Nice one, Aaron, and nice find, T.J.!
My ’77 Delta 88 was this same exact color. If this is the original paint, its in amazing condition. This color, silver, some white cars had that paint peeling issue back then, and it was hard to keep the paint front fading. This is certainly a very nice one!!!
Nice car – has the GM “wire bent” rear glass which at the time was a real leap in technology.
It never ceases to amaze me that someone could advertise a car so nice as this one, ask a premium price, and not repair something they say is such a low-cost fix. I always think that: 1) they are just tired of doing repairs to get the car for sale, or 2) that part repair or part really isn’t that easy to obtain. I usually think the latter. Beautiful, rare XS Toro model!
it’s neat and few were made but these are not big sellers 50yrs later especially with the 403 which this was the 1st year for it. wanting 12k the seller should spend the money ad fix the a/c but my guess is that the parts and labor are way more than that and they want no parts of it. these comfort Tron systems suck to repair especially 50yrs down the road
I’m guessing that 300 bucks gives a refurbished control head for the climate control but add a bundle for labor of install and finding out something is busted down the road. I always loved the look of the last years of the Toro, they looked less garish than the early 70’s. Correct me if wrong but wasn’t the 403 of 77 and 78 equiped with an early electronic spark control setup
Yes, I believe you are correct on the electronic spark control, although subtle changes exist between the two years.
I worked on these cars when new. I agree with the comment if it’s easy fix for the heat, seller would do it. While easier to work on than today’s junk, these battleships were no picnic. If the car has automatic climate control, it’s not that easy. Our Olds dealer’s wife had a white over red Toro like this as a demo. Super comfy. Super hard on gas. 403 is a boat anchor.
That lady must have had a heavy right foot. I had an Oldsmobile 403 for a number of years, if you drive on the primaries of that Quadrajet, it’s not too bad.
Almost anything from the good old days is easier to work on than today’s junk George. Unfortunately for me, I am still working on the new crap. It makes no difference who builds them today. They are all throw away cars. I call them
“Dixie cups”.
I could never wrap my mind around that rear window.
My grandparents were ones that bought new cars every two years, and in the late 60’s were early adopters of the Tornado front wheel drive cars. They loved them, and in the snowy Adirondacks they held the road like nothing else. They bought new every couple of years and didn’t stop until the cars reached their peak length, forcing my grandfather to add 2′ to the garage. My grandmother would drive that big gold battlestar 60mph through 6″ of snow without batting an eye.
“The Toronado of the 1970s was unabashedly baroque”
To quote Beauty and the Beast, “You know what I like to say, if it isn’t baroque, don’t fix it!”
SOLD for $9,500.
11 bids.