In 1984, personal luxury coupes were still selling strongly. Oldsmobile sold 48,100 Toronados, and it was the least popular of the E-Body triumvirate (which also included the Buick Riviera and Cadillac Eldorado). Rough seas were on the horizon for our beloved PLCs, but that was a decade into the future, and for those of us who like our coupes big, there are still plenty of well-preserved examples to choose from, even if there’s nothing but trucks and SUVs on dealer lots today. This two-owner Toronado is one of them, having covered 58,754 miles from new. Stored in a climate control garage and looking for all the world like it’s 1987 on your Oldsmobile dealer’s used car lot, this beauty can be yours for $14,000. Barn Finds’ eye on the classifieds, T.J., found this one on Marketplace in Grand Blanc, Michigan.
When this Toronado rolled off the lot into the garage of a happy new owner, Chrysler’s new minivans had recently been introduced and changed the way America looked at the family sedan. There’s no doubt that the Caravan and Voyager were more space efficient and probably made more sense, but tell me that you wouldn’t rather ride in the Toronado. Just look at that cocoon of velour, that fake wood, that sumptuous carpeting. You want a fifth passenger? You’re going to have to ride on this hard surface in the back, friend. Everything you’d want is here: power windows, air conditioning, cruise, rear defrost, door pulls that pivot out when you pull on them. There’s really nothing like it today. Can you imagine how quiet this thing is at 70? How well it absorbs bumps (a common occurrence here in Michigan)?
Powering this luxurious coupe was the ubiquitous Oldsmobile 307, shared with any number of General Motors coupes, sedans, and wagons. Making its customary 140 horsepower and 240 lb.-ft. of torque at a tractor-like 3600 and 1600 rpm respectively, it was perfectly capable of interstate travel with reasonable fuel mileage. Aside from a little incidental corrosion on the master cylinder and power brake booster, it looks like a couple-year-old used car under here.
The trunk is well furnished and big enough for a family of four to take a week-long vacation or more. I know this because my mom, dad, sister, and I would vacation for weeks in my dad’s Thunderbirds, which were similar in mission to the Toronado, if not quite as swanky.
Five years ago, this would probably be a $7,500 car, but today? I don’t think $14,000 is out of line for an original Toronado this nice. Browns were still a thing in 1984, and this one looks just right in “Dark Sable Brown Metallic.” Those wide whitewalls might need a date-code check, but other than that, I’d say that you’re ready to hit the road in this handsome coupe and drive like it’s 1984.
Yes. Cool pimp mobile. I’d drive and maintain as is. Thanks T.J.
Drive all day and into the night 🌙 in something as comfortable and smooth as these Toros.
kind of steep for a malaise era GM with velour seats and 140 horse power
This color looks awesome for now, but I’m afraid father time will tell the tale in weather checking, like almost all of these dark colors did. Not a knock on this particular car because it’s beautiful, just a fact.
Yeah, it’s more like $10,000 tops although last year there was a ’85 Caliente not far from me here in Mn. with 17,000 miles that was listed for $23,000 on Facebook. It’s gone but who knows for how much.
This one’s a great looking example.
I still miss my 80 Toro.
My parents had an 84 Eldorado & my GF at the time had an 83 Riveira, love the cars, except neither wanted the Convertible version, which would have been my choice, oh well, they were both great cruisers, so I’m sure the Toronado was also.