Easily one of the most unusual and interesting front-end treatments of all time, this 1972 Oldsmobile Toronado has what I think is a menacing look, with its emotionless eyes (headlights) glaring at its next victim. The selling dealership has this Covert Beige (is that redundant?) front-drive car listed here on eBay in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, and they’re asking a whopping $20,500, or you can make an offer. Thanks to Curvette for the tip!
About that price, I’m not sure what the extra $500 is for, maybe in case someone wanted to offer $20,000 and feel like they’ve gotten a good deal? Hagerty is at $21,000 for a #1 Concours-quality car, which this is very much not, so that asking price is for the Sultan of Brunei, Jeff Bezos, or any other random billionaires who just have to have this exact car. It won’t sell even near that price, but that’s just me guessing, as always.
The Olds Toronado is a luxurious, quiet, sedate-yet-powerful car meant to both coddle its owner and let them have fun with the gas pedal when needed. With a monster engine under the long hood, it means business, but with a 0-60 time two+ seconds slower than almost any new minivan or hybrid commuter car, it won’t win many stoplight drag races. That was never its intended purpose, of course.
The second-generation Toronado was made from 1970 for the 1971 model year, until the end of 1978, and it was about 1,000 pounds heavier and almost a foot-and-a-half longer than the follow-up generation of Toronados. Former Barn Finds writer, David Wilk, is an Oldsmobile fan and/or fanatic and has owned many of them, including Toronados from this generation. He’s also done a stint in Minnesota, so he knows how well this car would get around in the snow. Thankfully, it doesn’t appear to have been driven in snow too often. Please check out the photos to see how nice this car is. Is it Pebble Beach-ready, as in #1 level? No, but it’s got to be excellent, which Hagerty values at $14,900. As expected, the seats look great, and the rear seat should have enough room for most adults. The trunk is huge and also nice.
The engine is Dr. Olds’ 455-cu.in’ OHV V8, which by 1972 had 250 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque. It’s passed through a Turbo-Hydramatic 425 transmission to the front wheels, and the seller says it starts and runs great, but the AC isn’t blowing cold, the power seat is slow, and the power locks aren’t working. Those should be fairly easy fixes, but that means for sure this isn’t a #1 Concours car. How much would you pay for this nice ’72 Toronado?
Great write up Scotty. Some may already know that the the infamous Scotty G, and myself both have had 1970 Olds Ninety Eights in our history. By ’72 the 455 was detuned a bit for regular gas and all those wonderful (***Cough*** Malaise 70’s stuff coming down the pike)
I am agreeing with Scotty on the condition of this one. It’s nice, but maybe not #1 Condition nice. Again, a 53 year old car that presents as nicely as this, is indeed no small feat. I’m thinking what you’re thinking about that front end design too, kind of an angry look, or at least all business. This one is very solid, no rust, complete. I’m definitely thinking a bit less than the ask. And Curvette, you did indeed find a nice Toronado here. Thanks again Scotty!!!
You call the front end “unusual and interesting.” I call it “ghastly and nightmarish.”
Funny thing: I just thought it looked dumb.
I only recently realized the unusual front end styling of these, carried-on throughout this and the following generation ending in ’85, was probably inspired by and meant to visually reference the “coffin nose” of the Cord 810/812, as its pioneering forebear in American FWD.
A lot of power and torque to those front tires here.
I wouldn’t judge the styling too harshly given the context of the era. Oldsmobile hit a home run with the 1966-67 cars, only to succumb to the nascent bumper cars of ’68-69. 1970 was a disaster trying to resurrect the original. So the 1971-72s were rather elegant with their tailored look. Everything afterward went downhill.
Lansing had a good labor market in the ’50s & ’60s and Oldsmobiles were well built cars.
That had to have been one of the dullest color combos ever. Each new iteration of the Toronado after 1969 made it bigger and uglier (IMO). The 1969 car at least had some semblance of good looks (aside from the front bumper), but the 1970 tossed them out. GLWTA!! :-)
Please fix your glitchy site. I’m tired of writing comments, only to have them disappear.
Styling is polarizing to say the least, but so was the Riviera. Mitchell still gave us some beautiful cars and didn’t go completely off the deep end like Exner did. I like the coffin nose on these and the ’72 Chevy. I really like how the stying extends through the cars to the deck like these and the Grand Prix. These cars are best when perfectly base or fully loaded like this one. Bamboo cream and saddle remains simple and elegant. Now all I need is a check.
Doesn’t even come close to the way more eye-catching Toronado debut car. My uncle bought one. I’ll never forget getting in and seeing the lack of transmission tunnel.
it’s neat but this style falls into a niche market due to what it is. defiantly not the best looking toro
The styling was as poor as the performance during these years. The car in ‘National Lampoon’s Vacation’ was a satire on the gaudy and tasteless design elements that were coming out of Detroit at this time. Good luck trying to sell this boat at any price, would love to see the final ‘hammer’ price.