When one considers Oldsmobile’s 2004, last-gasp model, the Alero, compared to the product line-up and lofty position that GM’s middle division held in 1968, the year this fabulous Toronado was assembled, one has to shake one’s head. What in Sam Hill happened? Well, a bunch of different things actually, but let’s not dwell on Oldsmobile’s deconstruction; let’s, instead, celebrate this beautiful Louisville, Ohio discovery, courtesy of JDC. It’s available here on Facebook Marketplace for $14,000.
Oldsmobile posted a seventh-place production finish in ’68 with 562K units, of which 26K comprised their big, front-wheel drive coupe, now in its third year. Other than a facelift, this 1968 edition varies little from its inaugural ’66 version. The listing claims, “Never been in the winter weather. Stored in a climate-controlled building since 1968 when my friend bought it new.” The seller attests to the 45K mile recording as he states, “I’ve known this car all my life .” The Cinnamon Bronze Metallic lacquer finish is just perfect – and I’m seriously not a fan of brown, but I can make an exception in this case! Contrasting, is a perfect tan vinyl top – an option that was very much in vogue in this era. The seller claims, “zero rust“, and that’s completely believable.
We’re told that this Olds is packing a 400 gross HP, 455 CI V8 engine but that high rating was the result of the “Force-Air Induction System” and I don’t see evidence of that option here. My thought is that this powerplant is the standard first-year 455 CI motor generating 375 gross HP. Despite the front-wheel drive architecture which employs a Turbo-Hydramatic 425, three-speed automatic transaxle, the big V8, as you can see, is longitudinally positioned just as it would be in a rear-wheel drive model. The seller suggests, “runs like new.”
The interior, with its tan/beige vinyl upholstery, is late ’60s GM all the way. There’s one boo-boo in the backrest of the driver’s side of the front strato-bench seat but other than that observation, the interior is in great shape. A few neat features to consider here include the roller drum speedometer, the flat floor sans the transmission/driveshaft hump, and a neat, old fashioned circular analog clock. The seller adds, “Ice cold air, Changed to 134A.”
So, my question is, “What’s not to like here?” (I’ll even suck it up on the brown hue). This is a fabulous example of one of fallen flag Oldsmobile’s biggest and most innovative creations – we won’t see a car like this produced again. How about that $14,000 price, what’s your thought, just right or not quite?
Stunning. Don’t know the typical market price for these but I’d buy it at that price without a second thought if it’s anything like it’s presented to be. This one apparently wasn’t the hottest engine configuration but I’ll bet no one that saw it would really care considering how it’s been loved.
Nicest I’ve seen in years. I remember working on these back in the days. Nothing like the front wheel drive junk that would be peddled a few year’s later. Worth every penny if you ask me.
It just showed up on my Marketplace feed, and it’s down to $9,500. Even better!
$9,500? Bargain of the year!
I would be VERY surprised if this lasted more than 10 minutes at that price.
J.O wouldn’t you love to light up those front tires for half a block lol. 😎 🏁
What a wild, and wonderful car from the good Dr’s lab.
I love the front of the 66’s and prefer the Turquoise green color but man is this one nice..and under 10k now..if the story, mileage and condition are true what a deal…
I’m used to seeing dual snorkel air cleaners on these. Was that only in ’67?
Shows ” Sold”, someone got a great deal IMO.
Great deal if it’s as presented. Always loved these and for some reason they’ve remained reasonably priced. My dad was an Olds guy and was so jealous when our neighbor bought home a new ‘66 when they first came out.
Some one got a great bargain, compared to todays cars / suvs, this is
a design master piece. Very nice example of a collectible.
This is NOT the 400hp/W34 455 which some believe it to be. Quite a few years ago when Mrs. Helen Earley was still heading Oldsmobile’s archives, she verified for me the bona fides of their ’68-’70 W34 option. Only in ’68 did the W34 include OAI (Outside Air Induction) which required under-hood modifications. The air induction hose [single] brought in air via a device connected to the topside of the the driver’s inner fender. That hose location mandated a reduction in size & relocation of the washer reservoir further back on the driver’s inner fender well. As well, W34s had a specific RED distributor caps & coils. Also, the air cleaner snorkel had a specific circular snout to accept the “dryer tubing” of the OAI hose.
Wonder what torque steer was like on these? Nice car. My aunts ex-husband had an earlier Toro, gold what else. I disagree with your characterization of the Alero. I bought one for my daughter’s first car, black with grey interior. A four door with spoiler and the 3.4 liter I think. Nice riding, nice handling, plenty of go. The same problem as a lot of GMs at the time with build quality. it went through wheel bearings like oil changes. And my daughter’s driving habits didn’t help, she beat that thing. A couple of accidents later it was toast but I thought it was a classy ride.
My Dad’s boss had one of these as a “company car”. He was a bit more outgoing than the old man and previously drove a Chrysler 300. A year or so later my parents bought a ’69 Toro for my mom. What a gorgeous car! Solid, quiet and remarkably fast. Not SS396 quick, but luxuriantly fast.
I never really raced that car but it was definitely stronger than my ’69 Cutlass 350 2-barrel. I doubt anyone would have felt the difference between the 375 & 400hp versions. As for torque steer the Olds engineers thought of all that. All you ever felt was a huge mass of cast iron heaving up the front end and before you knew it you were breaking the speed limit.
You don’t like brown? It sure beats all the silver, gray and black that you see today. As for the 400 horsepower engine option, who cares? Maybe you should drive over to your local Oldsmobile dealer and order one just the way that you would like it?
So many memories with this one. My sister drove a blue one with a black vinyl roof. She wanted a Coupe deVille, but her husband told her if the wife of the company president didn’t have a Cadillac, she couldn’t either. I loved riding in it and driving it. The honeycomb headlight covers would sort of “shimmer” light as they opened. I preferred this front end to any of the other early models. I pressed the Oldsmobile emblem into the drywall on the back of the garage the first time I parked it in there. It left a perfect impression. Every time I drive past that house I wonder if it’s still there.
Where is Force air system located?