Today, conventional wisdom says that vehicle manufacturers are generally reaching their limits when they produce a front-wheel-drive car that is trying to push more than 240hp through the wheels that must also handle steering duties. In 1966, Oldsmobile ignored that type of thinking when they released the Toronado because this was an FWD car that was punching out a healthy 385hp! The fact is that this design worked surprisingly well, and was good enough for the vehicle to score some pretty significant industry awards in that first year of production. This Toronado spent a great deal of its life living it up in California before being parked in this shed in Hamden, Ohio, around 10-years-ago. It will need some work to return it to active duty, but the next owner will be starting with a vehicle that is both complete and is said to be rust-free. It has been listed for sale here on Craigslist, and all someone needs to do is to hand the owner $5,000 and they can take this classic home.
The owner refers to the Porcelain White Toronado’s sheet-metal as being original and solid, but that might not necessarily mean that the vehicle is completely rust-free. I can see what appears as though it could be some rust developing on the lower edge of the trunk lid on the passenger side. You can see it visible in the above photo fairly clearly. The front bumper is also damaged on the same side, and where the chrome has been peeled away, there is definitely corrosion visible. I think that a personal inspection might well be on the cards to confirm that there is nothing nasty hiding below the surface. Having said that, the lower extremities like the rockers, rear quarter panels, the bottom corners of the doors, and the lower front fenders, all look pretty clean. The external trim and chrome all appear to be present, although there are some items like the front bumper that will need a trip to the plater to be returned to their best. The glass is all present, and it does appear to be in good condition. I’ve always found the exterior styling of these early Toronados to be interesting because it seemed like a slightly odd decision by Oldsmobile to produce a luxury automobile as a 2-door fastback. Having said that, I don’t think that it is an unattractive car, and when viewed in side profile, the Toronado shares a lot of visual queues with the 2nd Generation Firebird…albeit on a larger scale.
Generally speaking, the interior of the Toronado shows plenty of potential, and I suspect that it would look quite good if it was treated to a deep clean. Burgundy upholstery is always going to impart a feeling and an impression of luxury in any vehicle, and that is certainly the case with this car. The photos are a bit limited, but what can be seen of the upholstery and dash looks good. We don’t get a look at the rear seat, the carpet, or the headliner, so those are items to check for any person who is planning on undertaking a personal inspection. For me, the greatest worry is the condition of some of the plated trim components inside the car. I can see what would appear to be bubbling under the plating. This should be easy to address, but with regards to my earlier comments on the potential rust-free status of the vehicle, that is an issue worth noting.
It was below the surface where Oldsmobile broke new ground with the Toronado. It represented the first new American front-wheel-drive automobile since the end of Cord production in 1937. The design was pretty ingenious, utilizing what Oldsmobile referred to as their UPP (Unitized Power Package). This allowed the company to successfully shoehorn a V8 engine and a 3-speed automatic transmission into an engine bay that was no larger than you would expect to find in any conventionally-powered vehicle of equivalent size. In this case, that engine is a 425ci V8 that produced 385hp. This power found its way to the front wheels via a THM-425 transmission. The vehicle also features power steering and power brakes. The brakes were an area that did come in for some criticism on these early Toronados. Tipping the scales at 4,495lbs, this could never be considered to be a light vehicle. Oldsmobile felt that power-assisted drums would be adequate, but it soon became apparent that extended use, especially on steep descents, could result in appreciable brake fading issues. Oldsmobile rectified this by fitting front discs, but these didn’t become available until the 1967 model year. I hate to use the term “ran when parked,” but that is apparently the case with the Olds. Of course, that was around 10-years ago, so it might take a bit of work to coax it back to life. The owner also claims that the Olds has only covered 47,000 genuine miles, but he doesn’t indicate whether he holds evidence that will verify this claim. I won’t shy away from the fact that I do have some concerns. The first of these is the fact that the owner doesn’t indicate whether the engine turns freely. This is a worry because there are some signs that the shed that the Toronado sits in isn’t the driest place on earth. There is plenty of corrosion visible around the place, with the most obvious being on the inside of the air cleaner, as well as what looks like a good build-up on the radiator support. Speaking of the air cleaner, I am not thrilled by the fact that the lid is missing, because this has the potential to allow foreign objects to find their way inside that 425. It’s also interesting to note that the belts are missing off the engine, but there is no indication as to why they’ve been removed. Once again, these are things that could best be determined by personal inspection.
I actually really like the 1966 Toronado, and I think that it is because I like it when a manufacturer decides to be bold and daring with their designs and engineering. This is a car that raises more questions than it answers, but if it is actually fairly rust-free and the engine and transmission can be revived fairly easily, then it could be a project car that is worth considering. Values have remained fairly stable in recent years, but it is hard to find a decent 1966 model for under $16,000. From there, values can push up to around the $25,000 mark for a pristine example. That means that if this does check-out okay, it could be a project car that makes pretty sound financial sense.
I’ve always had a soft spot for these cars. A buddy while in the army in 65 told me his parents had just bought one. They were from upper state New York and owned a feed store. They bought a new car every two years, but this was their first Oldsmobile. His name was Ken Berry (no relation to the actor) and got financial stipends from home every month. I don’t know what became of Ken or his parents Toronado.
God bless America
These were ahead of their time IMHO and should’ve led the US manufacturers to show how the could really strut their engineering prowess. Instead, it was too “unconventional” (Airflow Chrysler, Tucker innovations, etc.)and faded away. One has to wonder if any of the lessons learned here were carried to the development of, say, the Chevy Citation or Lumina..
Actually, they didn’t just fade away, they morphed into a bloated land yacht once the muscle car era ended and by 1980 front wheel drive was embraced by all American car markers.
So, I would call them trailblazers.
Back in the day, Daddy’s car could embarass more than a few real muscle cars.
I too have always liked these and the styling better than the Cadillac siblings. The price of this one, like Adam said requires an inspection. Even if it’s OK it won’t be a steal, yet in the sellers defense a major amount of surface rust is rust free by Ohio standards.
Had one. Great car, great sound with the nearly straight original exhaust pipes. The thing I see is the upgraded stitching on the seats, and the black vinyl on the rear taillight surround. Is it possibly a GT? A few extra ponies with that moniker. And rare. For $5g? I’d buy it and drive it Sundays till the next afficianado begged me to buy it. Just one thing. Spend the money on the front disc conversion. It will be cheaper than replacing the nose.
I don’t think that upholstery is anywhere close to correct or original. Does anyone agree with me?
It’s quite awful. Original would have been a sort of brocade cloth or vinyl. Nothing like that.
Nope not original or none that I have seen in olds lit. Owned a 67 2 68s 2 77 toros. they all had inserts with lines running with the vehicle, vinyl or cloth. No diamonds but hey one of my 68s was one of 110 special order so could be.
Three years ago I sold one of these that was much nicer and actually was rust free for $4000. I cam see rust bubbles in the pictures and look under the hood. This baby has seen many Ohio salty roads. But it is a good place to start.
I was a youngster when these came out and my outlook to the world was old car magazines. I remember Jim Dunne on the cover of “Mechanics Illustrated” if I remember correctly. It took me almost 40 years to get the right one. I don’t care for the “light” colored cars as in daylight you don’t see the beautiful lines. My car is a “Deluxe” model and is “Dubonnet” in color inside and out. It has 47k miles and I still get excited when I see the car. These cars were amongst the few that were “over engineered”. Everything was build inside and outside with no expense spared. We will never see those days again.
No GT in 66.
On the plus side she is equipped with A/C.
On the down side, other than apparent lack of dents that was a very very rough 147,000 miles.
I’ve always loved these cars. I bought a ’66 from an Oldsmobile Dealer in San Francisco and drove it until i sold it. Two things: Make sure you have a gas station attached to the filler pipe at the rear, and make sure this car is not equipped with vacum powered headlight lifts. While driving at night at 60 mph the vacum would go to neutral and the lights would disappear into the car. GM idiocy which was fixed on a recall. These kits are available in the after market; I don’t know the source. And I think the color white on this car is unfortunate; it looks like a massive refrigerator.
If you like the color certainly buy the car; they were a sensation in their time, and very controversial.
I agree with you Pete, the upholstery looks like the diamond pattern popular south of the border.
Jay Leno built and converted a 66 Toronado to rear wheel drive years ago and packed a snarling Chevy LS1 series under the hood. The result was a snarling beast that left a lasting impression on many gearheads.
I just bought a ’66 in great condition for $14k. You’d spend twice that to get this one up to snuff. They’re asking about $3k too much and Pete Phillips you are correct, that is not an original interior.
PS, rust free? LOL There is a giant patch of rust in the chrome on the front bumper…and that engine bay? Loaded with rust! Saying this is rust free is saying I have ocean front property for sale in Wyoming!
Heard the tire life was abysmal. Had to be with all that iron way up front! And of course probably bias ply tires…… Had a race on brand new I 80 out of Salt Lake city, heading east for Chicago, somewhere in the late ’60s. Was only car on the road for many miles, it was that new. Driving my ’59 Citroen ID19 with all of maybe 80 hp. Beautiful summer sunny day. Saw a car coming up slowly in my mirror while at about 75. Looked like a Mercedes. Finally saw it clear enough to see it was an early Toro. So…we smiled at each other, and floored it. He left me behind fairly quickly with his gobs of power vs my 4 banger ex-tractor engine from the ’30s, especially up hills.
However, on the downsides, I’d stand on it and with gravities help get it to near 100, and he seemed reluctant to push that hard – maybe as it had to be pretty new. Then he’d surge ahead again on the flats. Last rise, I just held it flat and it was a very long downhill slope. Looked once at speedo & couldn’t find the needle – ? Looked again, & it was in the clock window smack over the arm pivot! Roughly guessed as the speedo only went to 100, I might have been up around 115! Whooo…..! At the bottom, he was still catching up to me, but then turned off to crossroad & that was last I saw of him – fun run!
These are great cars. Powerful and comfortable with a bit of futuristic appeal.
Push down the E-brake and smoke those front tires. It was a factory line loc !
Whenever I see one of these it brings me back to the late 60’s when I was pumping gas at at local Mobil station. A county sheriff had a beautiful gold colored 66 that he kept immaculate. Looked like he must have wiped it down every night. He would come in for gas twice a week and stand ramrod straight next to me while I filled the tank. He would go ballistic if a drop of gas hit the bumper when I removed the filler from the tank. I finally figured out that putting a rag on the bumper first solved the problem.
I can see an old guy drooling over this and dreaming of parking it next to his corvair …
The oddball gm duo
These were and are still nice to look at