1985 was the final model year for the third-generation Oldsmobile Toronado, and even though it was over a foot shorter than the previous generation Toronados, it would be the biggest one until the end of the line for the Toronado in 1992. The seller has this 1985 Oldsmobile Toronado listed here as a Barn Finds Classified, it’s located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and they’re asking $6,875.
The third-generation Toronado was made from 1978 for the 1979 model year until the end of 1985. They’re very similar in appearance to the previous generation Toronados which didn’t look anything like the first-generation Tornados. We all know that Toronados were front-wheel-drive and they only came in a two-door body style so I don’t have to mention that… and I won’t.
This example looks like it’s in really nice condition and it has the “Astroroof”, which most of us would refer to as a sunroof or moonroof. The seller says the gaskets were replaced around the Astroroof so it should be tight for a few decades, I’m hoping. They say that it’s a Montana car and there is no rust and there are no dents. I don’t see any flaws in the body at all, even the bumper filler material looks perfect in the photos.
This Toronado doesn’t have leather seats, something that would cause most new car buyers to instantly faint on the showroom floor today, but the blue velour seats look great both in the front and the back. An interesting piece of trivia is that the 1985 Oldsmobile Toronado would be the last front-wheel-drive car built by GM that had full-frame construction.
Another piece of trivia is that 1985 would be the last year for a V8-powered Toronado. They either came with a 307 V8 or a 350 diesel V8 and this one is the former, which was factory-rated at 140 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. The seller says that it runs and drives “excellent” other than the air-conditioning and cruise control aren’t currently working. It would have had a Rochester four-barrel carburetor and the seller says that it was just rebuilt. It’s hard to jump into the vintage vehicle market anymore for less than $10,000 and have a nice, reliable driver that’s also unique and will draw a crowd. This ’85 Toronado would do that. Have any of you owned one?
Hey Scotty, thank you for the write-up! I always enjoy all the the writers “take” on cars.
I bought this car with the intention of keeping it. It is titled in my name, and I knew it would actually fit in my garage.
I bought it from a guy in Iowa who happens to be the chief of police in his town.
It is a VERY nice car, a great driver.
The story he gave me is it was in a private museum in Montana for over 20 years before he bought it. I don’t know that for fact, but that is the story I was told.
I love this body style, along with the Riviera and Eldorado. I love the colors & the features, and I enjoy driving it. So why am I selling? I found for sale a 1973 Riviera (which won’t fit in the garage) that is an exact twin (except this one is pristine) to the one my Mom had when I was young. It is my dream car!
So I am selling this and my Harley so that I can afford to buy the boat tail Riviera.
Anyone interested can call me at (414)940-1392.
I work at a Harley dealership, kind of odd hours, so if I don’t answer, I will call back.
Thank you all!
Whoa, got to be careful what we say, huh,,just kidding, Sg, I was going to say what a nice car anyway, member and friend or not. I think these were the nicest, they lost the “barge” status, and probably the last really nice cars GM put out. Good luck on the sale(s) and the Riv, also a nice car. Will get about half the mileage this gets, but what the heck. Electrical issues always plague these cars, electric gizmos, now common place, were in their infancy and problematic.
Quick note on the collector plate shown. If this is his plate, the “307” indicates,( the “B” indicates the 3rd vehicle with this number) a very early Wisconsin collector plate number. The numbers are issued once, my number, gotten in the early 80s was 5 figures, so this was one of the 1st plates issued.
My old boss at the hearse dealership originally got the plates. After he passed away, I was able to work it out with the DMV to take over the number.
Yeah, I had a couple boat tail Buicks in the past. They are absolute gas hogs, but ooooh, so cool!
My Mom celebrated a birthday 2 days ago, and I want to buy something that will take her back to younger years, and something I will enjoy.
I REALLY like this car, but it is not sentimental yet, the Buick is.
Howard, I hope you are doing well! I haven’t seen much lately that you comment on, but with that thought in mind, I have been slammed at work and haven’t been on here much lately too, so I am sure that is a contributing factor lol.
After the upcoming Hometown Rally, things should slow down at work & in theory, I will be able to spend more time on here.
Good to hear from ya buddy!
I for one much prefer the cloth seats like this one, and gm had excellent seats in this vintage. Very comfortable and despite being soft to the touch the upholstery was quite long lasting. The way things are going it’s hard to find anything decent anymore with a reasonable price so someone should jump on this. These cars with neo classical styling are undergoing a bit of a renaissance. You should see the amount of attention I get with my 91 deville.
Since I’m into everything oddball, I’d prefer to find a diesel, even with its reputation. GLWTS
Yeah, I prefer the cloth too. Warmer in the winter (as if I would drove this in winter lol), and definitely wears better than leather.
I am like you, in my preferring the more unique cars. A diesel would be really cool in this! But I do like the reliability of the gas engine.
I had some bad experiences with this generation GM car diesel, and prefer to not relive those experiences lol.
I am not trying to profit off this, so that is helping keep the price reasonable lol.
Thank you for the kind words Brad460.
Glad to see that you are making things happen
Great writing Scotty: “… instantly faint on the showroom floor today.”
Good luck Stevieg.
Thank you Bob!
Not for me, but seems like a great deal for a car with a known history.
And, ownership by a felloe BFer is a plus in my book.
Thank you for the vote of confidence, pray for snow.
The good and bad but no ugly. The 307 was slow in the heavier Oldsmobiles but smooth and dependable based upon my limited experience. I love the style of the personal luxury cars to today’s nondescript turtle back sedans. The downsized Toronado still had the right shape and would be easier to park. Cloth upholstery is much nicer than cold in winter burning hot in summer leather seating. Non-working air conditioning and cruise control is a “no go” in a luxury car and could be expensive to fix. Since it is not a desirable vintage Camaro or Mustang, 37 year old new old stock parts or reproduction parts would be hard to find.
Fair assessment on the engine, and the whole car!
I have no clue what the air conditioning needs, but assume the worst!
Cruise control? Probably not as expensive to fix as air conditioning, but parts can be an issue.
I haven’t looked into either issue. Probably won’t, I have some interest in the car already.
After the Harley rally coming up in Milwaukee, I am going to try to get off work to drive the car to Pueblo Colorado, a Barn Finder out there is really interested in it.
The Olds 307 is a great, if wimpy, engine. No guts, no glory, but reliable. But this car isn’t about guts & glory, it is a cruiser.
The car does do pretty good on the Interstate, as far as gas mileage.
Lance pretty much hit the nail on the head!
I hope it went to a good home. Seems like a bargain to me. I think this body style is… classy, elegant, (a word seldom used today) refined? I don’t know, but I like them. The front end still holds a bit of the Cord theme, with the “Coffin” front end.
Last year of this body style, eventually will gain in value I would think, and for less than 7k, what would you get… a Nissan with 200k miles on it? I prefer this one. What a fun car, again I hope it went to a good home, and you got your Riviera.
BRAKTRCR: It looks like it’s still for sale. Go for it!