We see a lot of incredible vehicles here at Barn Finds. Some are projects, and some are restored, but the ones that seem to be the most interesting to a lot of people, myself included, are the original vehicles. This 1968 Oldsmobile Toronado can be found here on eBay in Barre, Massachusetts, and the current bid price is $14,100, but the reserve isn’t met yet. They have a $24,000 buy-it-now price listed if you just can’t wait. Thanks to Larry D. for sending in this tip!
This car appears to be in outstanding condition. I would have guessed that it had been at least partially restored, but the seller tells us that it’s, in fact, original, with no accidents and therefore no bodywork and original paint. Plus, the hidden/flip-up headlights work as you can see in the first two photos.
They do say that there are there small areas of rust or surface rust, but no rust-through, and that’s incredible for a car that’s older than a few million Barn Finds readers. They say that this first-generation (1966 through 1970) Toronado was purchased new by a woman in New York who kept it for 60,000 miles, always in the garage when not in use. Then, they mention that two subsequent owners put a mere 20,000 miles on it. Although, it has just over 72,000 miles on it now.
You can see the yellow tape on the side of the armrest (edit: my bad, that’s not yellow tape!), but otherwise, the interior looks great to me. They say that this front-drive luxury car is fully-optioned and everything works, all of the power equipment. They don’t mention the air-conditioning so I’m assuming that needs work, but most of them do after a decade, let alone over five decades. The back seat looks great, as expected. I believe these are vinyl seats, not leather. Anyone?
The engine compartment looks similarly clean and nice, and it houses Oldsmobile’s 455-cu.in. OHV V8, which had 375 horsepower and an incredible 510 lb-ft of torque! The seller’s buy-it-now price is between Hagerty’s #3 good and #2 excellent condition. Any thoughts on what this original Toronado will sell for?
A very nice Toro, if not a ’66. But it still looks to be in excellent condition. I don’t think that’s yellow tape on the armrest, I think it’s part of the hinge mechanism.
I think you’re right, sir! Thanks for the info, I’ll change that.
I was born in 1961, I became a car guy very soon after.
It’s funny how you view all automobiles at different times of your life. In the 70’s I really did not care for the Toro years after 66! But now I have come to appreciate the different styling cues, good and bad!
And it’s not yellow Scotty, it’s Moonglow Gold Frost Metallic!!
No, that was a joke, the actual exterior color appears to be Saffron. But there was actually a Teal Frost Metallic! Imagine someone being paid to come up with these inventive names for paint colors.
Nice car. Good photography, too.
That much torque through a FWD drivetrain should make for an interesting driving experience!
My close friend owned this same car in 1978…the torque stear was enough to send into a guard rail if you didn’t hold on tight to the wheel…no traction control back then…lol
I’ve drove many Toronado’s, never encountered any torque steer issues
I remember when my client got into his Toro in a white out snowstorm and just causally drove off with no concerns.
Over 500 ft/lb torque 😃
My youngest brother had one in High School. He took it to places I would think twice about going in a Power Wagon!
Love that covered bridge shot. New England countryside is a national treasure. Of course, the upper Midwest where I reside is also pretty nice, especially along the river in the driftless areas, but we don’t have any covered bridges, at least none I know about.
That bridge is a treasure. Located in the village of Gilbertville in the town of Hardwick Massachusetts. It’s one of only three covered bridges left in MA. It spans the Ware River and separates Worcester county from Franklin county. The town of Barre, where the car currently resides, is a short drive away. The bridge is located just east of the Quabbin Reservoir.
Gilbertville is also home to a stone church not to be believed, magnificent municipal architecture, abandoned mills, and factory row houses. It’s a microcosm of a bygone age. Well worth a visit if you’re in the area.
The bridge was painstakingly restored about twenty five years ago… trusses, cedar siding, wood pegs, and all. Steel I-beams underpin it now for safety and longevity.
Grant, there are a few in Iowa, just southwest of Des Moines – “The Bridges of Madison County” that they made into a Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep movie in 1995 from the 1992 book of the same name.
https://goo.gl/maps/EFFcZDy8YEM7pcdU9
I agree about the New England versions, though. I took this photo of a bridge in Bennington, VT (home of Hemmings) when I was at a Hemmings Concours in Saratoga Springs, NY back in 2014.
And, this one in Buskirk, NY.
I had a 68 Toronado with the 455 engine when I was much younger. I could seat 4 across in both the front and back seats and when I punched it the front tires would smoke so much you could barely see the car. It was a lot of fun and very comfortable for rolling down the California freeways.
Had the same year, burn front tires in summer, breeze thru snow in the winter here in MI. On the freeway it felt like you were floating down the freeway and loved the way the speedometer was a wheel! Stereo kicked butt! Too bad a guy ran a stop sign a block away from home, front end got demolished.
It appears the Toro will be re-listed as the seller closed the ad due to an “error”. Hope it’s minor and we’ll see it again!
Both closed listings show “0” bidders.
Maybe seller was not getting the action they’d expected?
Isn’t this the same engine & transmission GMC used in their stylish motor home?
Stunning motor car.
@Duaney
I drove many Cadillac Eldorados with front wheel drive from the 60s & 70s. There were definitely torque steer issues.
I agree with the Eldo’s having that torque steer effect, but honestly I’ve not seen it with the ’75 Toronado I just purchased. Unbelievably silky steering…..
The year you have has half the torque that the older model had believe me!
Very nice car but taking pics on a salty road makes me cringe.That stuff gets into every nook and cranny like dust.
You bet it does. And you have to be very delicate when cleaning if you do get any on it, so as not to force any residue up into those nooks and crannies (should not be out there anyway 🙄). I’ve bought a couple cars out of NY, one from Albany and one upstate. The salt there must be worse than Michigan or upstate Illinois. Ugh.
Would need to inspect those “small areas of rust” verrrry carefully.
What’s that interior color called? Deli Mustard? Yikes. Cool car though, always like seeing survivor cars.
Funny, that 68 steering wheel, so big compared to 69, my brother had a 68 Delmont 88, same steering wheel, I can still smell the inside of that car when it was new, he traded that in for a 70 Delta 88
I’m assuming it’s been repaired since I did it in 1970, but there was a perfect imprint of the Oldsmobile emblem on the front of my sister’s ’68 in the sheetrock on the back wall of our garage the first time I drove the car. There was no way to deny I had done it, of course. Hers was a metallic blue with a black top and blue vinyl interior. One of my favorite cars ever. At least until I bought my own ’72 Eldorado.
The difference being that the Toronado had 7 shock absorbers
My parents had one in 74, it was a great car and handled well. I learned to drive in it. Brings back memories.
1968…i would guess the engine is a 425 cubic inch 4 bbl..there was a huge hyvo chain connecting to the 3 speed transaxle front drive.
I think the 455 ci arrived in…1970?
Many of these 425 ci ended in the RV motorhome rigs of the era.
Good big blocks, oldsmobile design.i ran a 401 ci buick nailhead for a few years as a 16 yr old driver.
Torquey 445 ft pounds.
Just my guess here, tx rooster in maryland.