The seller of this 1967 Oldsmobile Toronado states, “did a full ceramic paint protection color correction and full interior detail the car looks beautiful…” but only shows us a twenty-one-second film clip of the metamorphosis – how unfortunate. This way-cool front wheel driver looks to be in sound, solid, and complete condition, in spite of the dust, but it would be advantageous to see the finished product. Alright, no worries, there’s plenty here to see thanks to Dr. R’s discovery of this ahead-of-its-time, Mukwonago, Wisconsin domiciled, luxury coupe’s listing. It’s available, here on Facebook Marketplace for $15,995.
In more recent times auto manufacturers, such as GM, would apply limits, based on what their engineers determined, was the appropriate amount of horsepower to couple up to a front-wheel-drive transaxle. Well, back in ’67, I guess the General threw caution to the wind and had no hesitancy to lash up a 385 gross HP, 425 CI “Rocket V8” powerplant to their modified Turbo-Hydramatic front drive puller. There’s no word regarding operating characteristics or mileage accumulated, so potential buyers will have to make an inquiry.
The svelte sculpture of this Toronad0 shows brilliantly through all of the dust. Maybe the shade (Gold Poly?) is a bit boring but it’s appropriate for a luxury car and it appears to be in survivor shape. Ditto the vinyl roof covering – there’s no indication of unraveling, splits, brewing rust, etc – good to know as this ’60s styling cue can hide extensive problems. The chrome plating seems dingy but it may just be the ever-present coat of dust that is disguising a potential luster. Styling is always subjective but I would suggest that this first-gen Toronado is the finest example of head stylist Bill Mitchell’s efforts.
The black vinyl bench seat interior has the same dust storm going on as does the exterior. That said it looks as if it would clean up nicely. The back seat bottom has been removed but the previously mentioned twenty-one-second video displays it so it is available. The only notable thing that stands out, and it’s minor, is the chrome-plated plastic armrest bases, a part common to many GM models of this era, and in this case, they have lost their glitter. They’re easily replaceable.
The seller suggests, “I’m going to try to get the other pictures from after the full detail soon…“. Well, that would be a good move but I’d suggest doing that sooner, as in before I listed this Oldsmobile, instead of later. Assuming that the results are positive, it would do wonders in promoting this iconic car in the marketplace, wouldn’t you agree?
That’s one heck of a sentence.
I ran out of breath just reading it!
It’s the only car model seen in the movie “Anon” with Clive Owen. The cops drove black ones. This is amazing how well it cleaned up in the too brief video.
Get a backpack blower , blow off all dust and do a nice clean presentation of a very nice looking car. Also do not sell on marketplace.
Mukwonago? Another of them Wisconsin Injun names. Small town about 20 miles from Milwaukee. A close friend , his parents were from Yugoslavia. When they came here, he was just a lad. His dad got a good job as a gear cutter, and finally was able to buy an American car. He bought a ’67 Toronado. Why? Unsure, perhaps it was the FWD he may have been used to. If I remember, he only drove it a few years, got sick and died, mom never drove and the car sat in the garage for at least 20 years. I don’t remember the color, but after his mom died, they sold the car. This could be that car. Early Toronados were not very popular. That FWD thing went agin everything we held dear. Front wheels for steering, back wheels for motion. They even had special tires to help combat “torque steer”, an early problem with FWDs. It took a while, but Toronados really caught on in snowy climates, unfortunately, just as gas prices and Asians FWDs spelled doom for them. Today, I think clean examples still have a following, just for it’s historical value. FWD, pfft, that will never fly, my old man said, and drove RWD cars until he couldn’t get one anymore. These were great cars.
It’s only a short ride to Waukesha. They have car washes there.
The right color makes all the difference on these Toronados. Check out Adam Wade’s 66 on his YouTube channel. I’d have to remove the unfortunate looking vinyl top and repaint it in a more dynamic color.
I’d have to do nothing to it if it’s original and intact, but a black vinyl top would make more sense if it needs to be replaced .
The Oldsmobile color for that call is called Champaign (sp)
Don’t forget the one prominently featured in the film adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Dark Half”. It was black, & at the bottom of the trunklid was painted: High Toned Son Of A B–ch.
Those early Toronado’s were notorious for weak CV joints and were ridiculously expensive to fix. But I’m sure these days they’re much cheaper. Nobody was making aftermarket parts for them yet since full size front wheel drive vehicles were new to American car manufacturers. Toronado was a one of back then.
Amazing the opinions that one sees here about the unknown.
I still have my 6 Toronados 1 67 4 68s and 1 69. Best thing since sliced bread. Wouldn’t part with any of them. Drive a different one everyday since 1968. They go everywhere regardless of weather., including Pikes Peak 4 times. And I do my own maintenance.