Oldsmobile broke new ground in 1966 when it released its Toronado as a Personal Luxury Car. It was the first American-designed and built front-wheel-drive model since the demise of the Cord 812 in 1937. The drivetrain configuration proved a success and would see service in a range of General Motors models in subsequent years. Our feature car is a first-year example with a claimed 72,000 original miles on the clock. Its paint shows age, leaving the buyer to choose between preservation and restoration. Located in Euclid, Ohio, the seller has listed the Toronado here on eBay. They set their price at $8,888, making it an affordable option for those seeking a straightforward project candidate.

Oldsmobile followed the industry trend with the Toronado, releasing its new Personal Luxury Car as a two-door with enormous interior space. The styling is distinctive, with swooping lines and purposeful fender bulges. The seller provides little background information, which is frustrating. The Blue Metallic paint is a mystery because it doesn’t appear on Oldsmobile color charts from this model year. It falls somewhere between Astro and Royal Blue, and there is evidence in a couple of spots that it may have undergone a color change. Only the Cowl Tag will reveal the truth, but with the paint showing deterioration in several spots, a cosmetic refresh could allow the new owner to ensure that this classic presents as it left the factory. The panels are straight, and the photos suggest that this Olds is rust-free. The headlamps occasionally don’t operate as they should, but the trim and glass are acceptable for a driver-grade vehicle.

Lifting the hood reveals the Toronado’s party piece. Its engine bay houses a 425ci V8, while a three-speed automatic transmission and power assistance for the steering and brakes were standard equipment. So far, all appears to be as you might expect from any Personal Luxury Car from the period, but looks are deceiving. Oldsmobile developed a system called the Unitized Power Package, or UPP for short. This sent the V8’s 385hp and 475 ft/lbs of torque to the road via the front wheels, rather than the traditional rears. This was at a time when many questioned the wisdom of sending more than 200hp to Planet Earth by that route, but the Toronado’s ability to cover the ¼-mile in 15.5 seconds on its way to 137mph demonstrated that the UPP was pretty effective. The seller claims that this Olds has a genuine 72,000 miles on its odometer without mentioning supporting evidence. They recently replaced the plug wires and battery, but confirm that it requires a thorough inspection and some minor work before the buyer can consider it genuinely roadworthy. However, the vehicle runs and drives, and the engine is in excellent health.

Air conditioning, power windows, power seats, a clock, and an AM radio were all considered essential features inside a Personal Luxury Car from the 1960s, and this Olds delivers those items. The seller confirms that the A/C and power seat are inoperative, but that the remaining items work as they should. It is generally presentable, with no wear on the upholstered surfaces, and no visible aftermarket additions. However, the carpet needs a deep clean, and the pad has cracked badly. Locating another pad may be challenging, leaving the buyer to either throw on a cover to hide the problem, or consider a restoration of the existing item.

Oldsmobile took a leap of faith when releasing the Toronado because some potential buyers viewed the drivetrain configuration with suspicion. However, the risk paid dividends, with 40,963 buyers handing over their cash to drive one off the lot in 1966. This one isn’t perfect, but with no rust or significant panel imperfections, it is the type of cosmetic restoration project that the new owner could perform in a home workshop. Considering that tidy examples consistently sell for more than $15,000 and that values are climbing, this classic deserves more than a passing glance.