This 1967 Toronado was only on the road for four years before the owner put it into storage. It remained there until only a few years ago. Barn Finder Michael located this Olds for us so I must thank him for that. Listed for sale here on Craigslist is this 1967 Oldsmobile Toronado which is located in Northeast Kingdom, Vermont. This Olds is offered with a clean title and an asking price of $30,000.
As I’ve mentioned, this Toronado went into storage in 1971. Prior to that it had been a “Summer only” car. Storage was climate-controlled, so it was hibernating in the best possible environment. When it emerged a couple of years ago the seller treated it to a mechanical refurbishment in keeping with the needs of a car that has sat idle for more than 40 years. The engine was treated to a rebuild and all of the normal hoses, pipes and components that deteriorate through lack of use were replaced. What is amazing to me is that the storage environment was so close to ideal that this Olds still rolls on the tires that it was wearing when it went into storage, and they show no signs of wear or rot. At the time of writing there was some detail work being complete in the engine bay, so the seller didn’t furnish any photos which is a bit disappointing. I would really like to see it because while this appears to have been a sympathetic revival it appears that there might be some non-standard components under the hood. I’d like to see whether they are sympathetic to this car, or whether they detract from what it is.
The interior features the factory optional bucket seats, and I must say that the whole interior presents exceptionally well. Having said that I don’t think that it’s perfect. I think that I can detect some seam separation on the passenger seat. Otherwise the dash, pad, carpet and other trim looks to be in good condition.
The exterior of this Toronado wears its original paint and vinyl top, both of which appear to be in first-rate condition. I can see no signs of rot and all of the chrome and trim appear to be in great condition. The car even sports its inspection sticker which it wore the day that it went into hibernation.
This Oldsmobile is an example of a Barn Find that has been sympathetically brought back to life. It has not been restored so much as revived. It looks to be in great condition with only a possible issue with one seat set to mar what would otherwise be a virtually perfect vehicle. As well as being a rather nice car it is a glowing example of how to store a car properly if you must store it for an extended period.
If it were stored properly, why did the engine need a rebuild? Otherwise, looks like a nice, new car.
If it didn’t turn over in all that time the bearings and rings would have frozen up from disuse. I don’t know how you could prevent that without some occasional driving or at least firing the engine up once in a while. My 67 Toronado needed a transmission rebuild because it sat around for a long time.
Torque Converters drain over time.
I love love love seeing late 60’s cars in gold. Such a period color and it looks great on this Toronado
What a gorgeous car. I guess it went into “long term storage” because someone forgot to tighten the oil plug after an oil change.
I agree Nick, the answer may be probably from sitting in the same mechanical position for so long. It’s a big number for the car, but it looks wonderful. I have a 66 Toronado and I love it. Someone take a big jump on this car.
I had a 67, and it is one of my lifetime favourite cars. It was a comfortable ride and fun to drive. The market will determine how much the seller is going to get for the car, but the asking price seems high to me.
Bob
Well, you could not restore one for twice that money and better yet, they are only original once. He will get the money. I would even bet he gets more than asking. This car needs to go to the “right” auction and get 2 or more bidders on the car that want it.
I don’t care who you are this is the only FWD muscle car I wouldn’t be disappointed to be seen in.
what a beauty!
i love these cars, they were straight outta the future & look like nothing else inside or out.
this dusty gold color is perfect & the only one i’d want other than maybe the green Olds offered.
not saying it’s not worth it, but doubt the market will get close to supporting the ask.
i’d still love to have one with a moderately built Rocket 425 or 455….fwd burnouts forever!
I’d be on the phone to Coker tires right away if it was mine.
I’d put it on 30’s and stuff it full of stereo stuff..
Don’t forget the LS swap LOL
Not heard good things about Coker tires.
Why not use a set of modern heavy-duty radials?
That’s a heavy front end!
I’d also go with radials. When I replaced the original bias ply tires on my 72 Riv with radials, I couldn’t believe the difference.
First off this is a real beauty in so many respects. Olds (or Fisher Body) stylists did a great job creating a design that complemented the front wheel drive. FWD was the buzz surrounding the Toronado, on a level with the news that the earth is round.
I have a couple of quibbles with this car, however, and it mostly relates to my antipathy to vinyl tops. The 1966 Toronado was the first design to completely smooth the transition from the rear quarter to the greenhouse. That along with the pronounced wheel arches was the genius of the design. But the guys with white belts & gold chains demanded bvt’s so they got them. There is no natural division in the style to accommodate the contrasting top so someone simply drew a line across those beautiful flanks.
In fairness it was probably worse with the 1968-69 Cutlass Holiday coupes.
I like the bucket seats on this car, but again, the whole point of fwd was to eliminate the drivetrain hump creating a flat floor. 3 people could sit in the front with the middle passenger not having their knees in their face.
Bottom line, though, it’s a Toronado, it’s an Oldsmobile, and it’s gorgeous.
agree on the vinyl roof, a much sleeker & more modern look without.
never understood the buckets with column shift though.
the console with floor shift was way cool on these & if you’re not gonna go 3-wide whats the point of the column shift?
Agree!
Today’s geography lesson concerns the Northeast Kingdom or NEK of Vermont. The NEK isn’t a town but rather an area. It was a name given to the 3 northeast counties of Vermont by Governor and later US Senator George D Aiken. The map shows the Beautiful City of Newport on the shores of Lake Memphremagog as the sellers home. Beautiful car btw, one of my favorites. Wish I had the $$.
Been going over and detailing out the car. Should be ready to show the engine compartment by this weekend.
Yeah for Toronado…especially my 1966 that I finally purchased forty years later.
P.S. 1966 was first year for the 1″ white wall.
Hemmings Classic Cars has a feature on Olds styling this month. Very cool pictures of a shorter version of this in a 2 seat configuration and this car with a very small molded in spoiler out back. Both very cool concepts it’s a shame never made it to production. One of these is on my car bucket list
My dad had a new ’67, dark green with black interior, blackwall tires (never ordered whitewalls for any of his cars). I got pulled over in it, was only 14, remember it well. Always on the lookout for one, this one isn’t quite it – not crazy about the vinyl top, don’t understand the bucket seats – bit it sure looks like it’s in fine shape!
The car is beautiful..but not $30 grand beautiful…I owned several ’67s…loved driving them. I hope someone buys the car and cares for it.
Caring for them is a major commitment….time and $$$. And passion of course.
Time yes, takes forever to wash that boat. $$$, not so much, never had an expensive repair on the ones I’ve owned (currently 2), but timing chain maintenance will set you back; replacement requires removing the engine.
Then make us an offer.
A drivetrain that sits unused for years is not necessarily a good thing. Driving it regularly is much better. All rubber and cork seals & gaskets are usually done for ( Engine, tranny & rearend). Humidity (even in a climate controlled garage) will get into the engine through open valves and can result in surface rust or at least stuck rings and valves. Stuck lifters are common.
Shrunken gaskets can allow coolant into the cylinders. Brakes would certainly need rebuilt. Bad gasoline from the tank to the carb is a problem. With such a beautiful car, tearing it down the for a fresh up was a smart thing to do. Love these great milestone cars. :-) Terry J
$15,000 according to Hagerty
Hagerty calls a Concours 67 as 36k. 26k for Excellent. The asking price is somewhere in between. Hagerty hasn’t seen the car, the 15K price is for one in good condition. I’ve owned over a dozen first gen Toronadoes since I graduated high school. I know these cars inside and out. This example is the nicest one Ive seen sporting the original paint in this condition. Not since my first Toronado!
Terry is correct about what happens when a car is put into storage for a long time, you are going to be replacing seals and plan on a fair bit of the rubber components. Now I do think the seals etc. On these older cars was much better than what’s on the ones today. On the other side if you drove the car all the time and kept things lubed up the car would be worth half the value!
My dad drove one just exactly like this one except black interior! Same color outside with the black vinyl top! It was his company car, I was really impressed over those bucket seats! Bucket seats were a pretty big thing back then they only came in sports cars! I loved just sitting in them, made me feel like I was the cock of the block! I was used to sitting on bench type seats in his Cadillac!
Two quick caveats: This is a mighty thirsty beast, my childhood neighbor got about 12 mpg.
Second, very low ground clearance, and if you punch a hole in the oil pan, you have to pull the whole engine to get it patched. As my neighbor’s son found out…
I never had an issue with violating an oil pan in any of my E-bodied Toronados. The head pipes and parking cables would get it first. Then the trans pan. I managed to get down to 7-8 mpg hot rodding up the twisty mountain dirt roads here in northern Vermont. But could coax about 13-15mpg while babying them.
Ive seen many Ebodied FWD’s with the carrying height of the torsion bars set way too low.
I’ve seen Motorhomes that used that drivetrain in a front wheel drive configuration and even a rear engine /rear drive. After a couple of years of producing these futuristic cars, GM choked and later versions looked similar to the Buick’s and Caddys of the time. :-) Terry J
Not heard good things about Coker tires.
Why not use a set of modern heavy-duty radials?
That’s a heavy front end!
I’ve been happy with Diamond Back, they start with a quality base tire.
I have a very nice 66,casually advertised for $25k,never seriously tried to sell it.I get tons of inquiries and would have got the 25 several times over ,if it weren’t for the lack of options on mine.No ac or power windows on a luxury GT ,is major deal breaker.No problem,I have many cars,and the big black on red Toro is a favourite .To own ,and drive one ,is to love one.
Price is not out of line ,will just require a bit of patience as selling quality generally does !
A ’66 Toro was the first car I drove over 100mph. About 48 years, 80+ other cars and retirement time I bought a one owner, ’67, 97k mile one from San Diego. A few months ago I began restoring it, but there will be a lot of months to go. Unlike Camaro’s, Mustang’s and Corvette’s, many parts are hard to find. With a car with miles like mine it will never be a 100 point show car, so I’m making a driver that looks the part. EFI, electronic ignition, front discs, radials, gas shocks, and a few motor tweaks are on my list.
My first car was a 67 Toronado in the early 80s, and I’d gladly grab this one if I could afford it. I know these cars inside and out, and would love to put up with working on one again.
storage (no matter length)? Drive for 10 min once a wk or month.
Nowa days? correct ratio stable in gas.
Fantastic car in great shape. I drove my Gpa’s old Tornado for a few years. Like nothing on the road or in snow. The thing was a snowmobile!
I like all of Jay Leno’s cars EXCEPT his ’66 Toronado. When I watched that episode I was shocked. He had it turned into a front (Chevy) engine rear wheel drive car via a Corvette frame swap. What a waste of money. Sorry Jay, two thumbs down. :-) Terry J