There are certain generations of cars that are sales successes. The generation of Buick Riviera, Cadillac Eldorado, and Oldsmobile Toronado from 1979 to 1985 was one of those sales successes. In its worst year of this generation, 1983, there were 39,605 Toronados sold. In the following generation, in its best year, 1988, Oldsmobile was only able to sell 16,496 of the Toronado and its sportier variant Troféo. Here is a 1980 Oldsmobile Toronado Brougham for sale here on eBay in Ocoee, Florida.
The interior doesn’t disappoint. The original Camel Tan leather seats are in outstanding condition. The car features split front bench seats with a power adjuster on the driver’s side. Power windows and power door locks are also included. The carpeting is showing no stains.
I did note that the “TORONADO” lettering is missing off the front of the car, so I’m curious how this car got the HPOF Senior Award. There is no picture of the engine, which is a 350 cubic inch V-8. The car has new drive axles and the air conditioning has been converted over to R-134A and is working. There are new hoses, coolant, alternator, and master cylinder. The seller claims there is not one rattle in this car and it runs, stops, and shifts as it should. There are no oil leaks either. Would you like an AACA vehicle without having to do the restoration work?
When the recession hit in 2008 my neighbor practically begged me to buy his Toro (like this one) for $2500. I shoulda but didnt.
I remember mom getting one of these in 1980 – it was so much nicer than any vehicle we had until that point. I remember the ‘lack’ of a big transmission tunnel making the interior seem much more roomy. And it had the Bose system (dont know how to do the copyright mark) which included a demo tape. I played the tape but dont remember anything great about the sound.
The forgotten benefit of FWD, Brett: a flat floor.
What a treat to see all that room rather than some styrofoam cooler size console eating up the real estate.
Always liked the lines and proportions of these cars, had a silver one with cloth interior, which carried over some of that 70s plush interior. There are still some nice plentyful drivers out there still available to kick around with.
Huh, never noticed until now how the nose on this generation was a subtle homage to the ’66 Toronado (with its headlights up) — similar motifs of bladed fenders bracketing a short, full-width slatted grille below quad headlights above with a blank panel between them.
…come to think of it, also an homage to the Cord 810/812 (a forebear FWD pioneer) with the similar central coffin nose over a slatted grille at the base.
Back in the day I had 2 of these front wheeled drive cars. Loved both of them. Being front wheeled drive – no hump on front floor which was great for my long legs. Bought both of them new back to back. Velour material seats on both of mine. This leather looks even better.
Only problem inherent for this model that I encountered were doors were so long, put lots of weight way out from the door hinges. Which made door sag often. Always needed adjustment. On both models I had the wire rim hudcaps stolen.
Such a great driving cars , I am bidding on this one.
I had a 1981Toronado very simular to this one. I had the 307 V8 that couldn’t stand up to the 350 but it was a fine car none the less.Almost brought tears to my eyes when I saw the 1986 model.Downsizing wasn’t always a plus!
Used to buy one of these or a Riviera every couple years as a winter beater. Never paid over $2500. Didn’t care about the rust here in the north, just loved the winter driving security. They would go just about anywhere! And a GM heater! After a couple years, I’d get a grand for it and save up for the next one. Sometimes wish I could go back there and buy a few more.
I had a dark brown metallic 80 Toro with a 350 and it was one powerful smooth-riding car. I find it highly irregular and question the originality of the paint — specifically on the front clip — unless the seller can come up with a reasonable explanation as to why the letters are missing on the front. I can think of no logical reason for them to be removed. The seller says that there are no chips on the original paint which could be true but he does not actually say that the whole car or the front clip has original paint. This could just be a carefully worded half truth. With only 26k (documented miles?), I’m sure it’s a nice car even though my preference is for the cloth seats. I don’t know how heavily optioned this one is but I wouldn’t mind having another one without the sun roof this time which leaked like crazy. If I had the space, I’d fly down and take a look at this one.