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$2,000 Or Trade? 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado

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Sure, it dusty, but this Toronado may just be the diamond in the rough you’re looking for! The seller took it off the road some six years ago to put a set of rod bearings in it and never finished the job. It’s listed here on the Kalispell, Montana craigslist where the owner wishes to trade for a 95-99 Subaru wagon or a 24′ camper. They will also take $2,000.

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Given the license plate, the car may also be located in Idaho; you’ll have to contact the seller to make sure. It’s a current style of plate, so hopefully the six year storage claim is true and the car hasn’t deteriorated too badly. Unfortunately there are no pictures of the lower areas of the car, so we really don’t know how rusty it is.

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By the way, that’s a Laser 917 kit car (VW based) in the background. Certainly eclectic automobile tastes, no? We are told that the hood comes with the car; I’m sure it was removed to facilitate getting that huge V8 engine out of there. I’m wondering if my inexpensive engine hoist could even handle all that weight? You can just see the original wheel and cap on the front in this shot, although I’m not sure if the back one is there or not.

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The interior looks pretty nice, and reminds me why I like these cars so much. In 1966 this must have seemed incredibly futuristic compared to most cars on the road. It looks like a carpet set may be in order, but who knows given cleaning and possibly re-coloring.

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The seller also includes this picture, presumably of the same car in better days. You can certainly appreciate the out of this world body styling from this shot, as well as how nicely the bumpers and hidden headlights are integrated into the body shape. I can’t imagine a better way to cross Idaho–or Montana. What do you think? Anyone got a camper or Subaru they want to swap?

Comments

  1. Avatar RandyS

    I can empathize. I took my car off the road year ago to insert some fresh rod bearings and got “as-long-as-I’m-here-itis” Rod bearings then main bearings, oil pump, timing chain, water pump, hoses, radiator, fan, headers, exhaust, ball joints, swaybar bushings, etc, etc. Got to stay focused otherwise easy to loose interest.

    Like 0
    • Avatar George

      I, too, might be accidentally heading down that road. I have low oil pressure I suspect from my dented oil pan starving the oil pickup tube. Bought a new pan and tube, engine stand, and gasket set. Might as well do the head on the old inline 6 (lumps and oversized valves). Maybe bearings, etc too. Decided since I have it out I’d pull the powerglide and swap in a 2004r. Since I’m doing that I figure I might as well take advantage of the extra trans gears by changing the rear end gearing. Since I’m doing that I went ahead and bought new shackle bushings…

      Hope my ’68 Camaro doesn’t end up like his Toronado…

      Like 1
    • Avatar Dean Reeves

      I’m assuming this car is LONG gone!?

      Like 0
  2. Avatar Mark S

    Ugly then ugly now and ugly in the future. Now would be a good time ta scrap it.

    Like 0
    • Avatar nessy

      Ahh, you must be kidding Mark S, right? I am pretty sure you will be alone on this one….

      Like 2
    • Avatar Mark S

      Ok I get it some of you guys like these that’s fair, your welcome to it.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Mark S

      I expected some down thumbs but this is a surprise and that’s ok but I’m still not a fan of these JMO.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Mark S

      Jesse is this a record for thumbs down it would be interesting to know.

      Like 0
  3. Avatar angliagt

    Mark,
    I disagree – one of the cleanest designs out there,
    & I think that the ’66 was the best year for these.

    Like 1
  4. Avatar wuzjeepnowsaab

    Without a doubt, the ’66 Toronado design was (imo) the high point of 60’s design for big cars. Super clean lines from every angle and the engineering was over-the-top. It’s a car that 50 years later can stand proud against just about anything that came since.

    Like 1
  5. Avatar Robert White

    I’d shell out $2k for that in a heartbeat. It’s actually worth triple that price IMO.

    Bob

    Like 0
  6. Avatar John

    Why are all the cool, affordable cars so far away ? I know these are odd ball cars, but I’ve always liked them.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar AMCSTEVE

    Idaho is to far for a basket case but a good deal none the less.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Bruce Best

    I used to live in Idaho and Montana and most of the cars there have almost no rust. It is too cold in the winter time and too dry in the summer. I do not know about Montana but in Idaho they do not salt the roads but instead put down industrial garnet power and push it into the snow. That technique is hell on tires and paint but causes almost no rust.

    That area is a hot bed of superb cars and trucks for restoration. I picked up a 1953 Studebaker pick up there that was two tone, gray primer and rust. But surface rust only, nothing eaten thru. I bet that if you brought this Toronado home you could have an amazing car with relative ease.

    I know that this car is not the cup of tea for many but from a pure styling standpoint it is an amazing car and I have seen some design experts compare it with the Ferrari 246 Dino coupe for elegance. Especially for the size. Only the boat tail Rivera comes close and that is a whole different animal.

    As to the comment about being futuristic when they came out. I can remember when they did come out and the market for this car was much smaller but it had in that market the same impact as did the Mustangs. Both watershed designs that lost something over the years. The Mustangs got it back the Tornado never could.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Bruce Best

    I used to live in Idaho and Montana and most of the cars there have almost no rust. It is too cold in the winter time and too dry in the summer. I do not know about Montana but in Idaho they do not salt the roads but instead put down industrial garnet power and push it into the snow. That technique is hell on tires and paint but causes almost no rust.

    That area is a hot bed of superb cars and trucks for restoration. I picked up a 1953 Studebaker pick up there that was two tone, gray primer and rust. But surface rust only, nothing eaten thru. I bet that if you brought this Toronado home you could have an amazing car with relative ease. I suspect that the before photo is far more current then you might think.

    I know that this car is not the cup of tea for many but from a pure styling standpoint it is an amazing car and I have seen some design experts compare it with the Ferrari 246 Dino coupe for elegance. Especially for the size. Only the boat tail Rivera comes close and that is a whole different animal.

    As to the comment about being futuristic when they came out. I can remember when they did come out and while the market for this car was much smaller it had in that market the same impact as did the Mustangs. Both watershed designs that lost something over the years. The Mustangs got it back the Tornado never could.

    Like 0

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