What other car looks like a 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado? This specimen, listed here on Dallas, Texas craigslist, would look at home in a Sci-Fi movie set anytime between 1990 and 2090. Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, but even the critic must respect the originality of this car’s design and General Motors’ vision in building it. For the $11,750 asking price, it would be hard to find a more uniquely designed car from the ’60s through today. Thanks to reader Miguel for spotting this shiny Texas two-door.
Regarding unique design, I will concede that the 1971 to 1974 AMC Javelin took the “exaggerated wheel arch” concept a step further by having them rise above the hood line, but I have no problem viewing this Toronado from any angle and imagining it as a hovering, flying car. Stand by while I make a fluttering futuristic flying noise with my lips.
The trick rolling speedometer takes center stage in a pleasing array of chrome and black gauges. Notice how it teases you by displaying its top value, “130” just below zero… begging you to bury the accelerator and bring that “130” full circle on your favorite on-ramp. [Note: BarnFinds.com does not condone operating a motor vehicle above posted speed limits.] The seller reports that nearly everything works except the air conditioning. Functional equipment includes power windows, power steering, AM radio, and all gauges.
The 425 cid Super Rocket V8 made 385 HP and wears a new 4 bbl Holley carburetor. In addition to being nearly rust-free, this Oldsmobile “runs well” with recent attention including new brakes and brake lines, exhaust, and a tune-up. A year before the 1967 Cadillac Eldorado, this flagship Toronado became GM’s first serious front-wheel drive car; touting all-weather traction, reduced weight, and other advantages. With no bulky driveshaft “hump” these big two-doors sit five or six more comfortably than their contemporary rear-wheel-drive counterparts.
Negatives include some small areas of rust and the pneumatic tubes for the (vacuum-operated) hidden headlamps need replacing. Jay Leno chose this hue for his famous 1100 HP ’66 Toronado, and he was careful to respect the original design. Jay’s high-powered custom looks nearly 100% stock despite having been converted to rear-wheel-drive. Now that’s class. What do you think of this futuristic front-driver?
This car is priced OK. Haggerty lists #4 Fair vehicle at $8900 with a #1 at 41k. From the non academic side, these have always been a very polarizing design. Personally, I have always been a fan. Think of how wild this would have looked in 1966 next to the rest of the automotive world! These had solid powertrains and handled well within the design of the class. Very classy design and this one needs a good owner.
love it.
The Riveira too. (Either pre or post face lifts).
Imagine them brand new (early 60s thru last yrs), crusin somewhere in GB or Europe – what kinda looks would B on the faces of the residents as they motored by!
Very nice, the hell wid “Jay’s”.
I owned a 67, and it was one of the best cars I ever owned. A superb well handling car for high speed cruising on the highway or on slippery roads.
The early Quadrajet carbs suffered from a design defect that caused them to leak internally, which caused excessive mileage and balky performance. Replacing it with a Holley, rather than repairing it, was one solution, but overall mileage will be better with a properly working Quadrajet. I used to average 21 mpg (imperial gallon, 17mpg US), and the air conditioning would cost one mpg.
The one thing a person would want to do before buying the car, would be to carefully inspect the torsion bars and the front drive system. A repair would be costly.
This is a nice looking car. I would love to have one again, but I have all the cars I need to last me the rest of my life.
I believe the Toronados look even more striking in silver with the black vinyl roof..
Bob
I had one just like this, which is why it called my attention.
I never got to drive it as I never got it running before I sold it, but I did have a few ’67 Eldorado’s which I loved.
As for the price, I would like to see more cars like this posted here which are affordable for what they are and not promote crazy people that ask three times what a car is worth.
Can we have more cars we all might be able to actually buy?
Has there ever been a big star who’s a bigger car guy than Jay Leno?
One day when autonomous vehicles rule the road…with a legal “carve-out” for vintage vehicles (slow lane…Sundays only)…we will have Jay to thank for that crumb thrown to us.We may have to send him to Washington as the Senator from California to run filibuster interference…under the Drivers Rights party banner.
The fact that Leno rwded his tornado bothers every time i think about it. With his bucks and his team he could have done fwd in a remarkable way. He could have brought some modern engineering into it and made something really cool and unique to drive.
Lenos car was what was left of a Hollywood prop, white in color with a rusty front bumper and the running gear gone. The two Corvettes it took to make Lenos “Bentley Killer” should concern you more. Who else would have the connections for Lear Corporation to design and build an entire one off interior for a car like that. The finished product is painted gold ’cause it’s UN OBTANIUM!
I was in a Riviera with the tumbler speedometer. Over 130 the speedometer “twirks” like crazy and the suspension bottoms out over slight rises and falls of the roadway. As this was in 1972, I think I am clear by statue of limitations.
What a way cool ride. Born in the early 50’s and still a gearhead, my opinion is this car has awesome lines. And roomy? Oh yeah. A classic cruiser. Would love to be able to afford and restore to original condition.
I wonder how accurate that speedo is. Brings back memories of a 4 lane road in Chicago in the 80s where the speed limit was a ridiculous 25mph & the cops were handing out “speeding” tickets left & right. Wonder if that situation still exists.
Many 2 lane roads today with a double yellow line have a 25 mph limit, where it really should be 35, else it’s a rear end collision waiting to happen from a tailgater with no legal way for him or her to pass. & even worse, where the road has no provision for the tailgatee to even pull over to avoid a possible accident. Magically, as soon as you enter the next town the speed limit may increase to 35 on the same exact [type of] road.
& I’ve seen a 2 lane road in another local town where the speed limit is 40!! & another is 50 mph! Insane. Go figure. All these roads should be 35, or at least 30.
& 25 when/where school is in session, with flashing lites to warn the drivers.
What a piece of crap! Had one identical
to this one in ’70 or ’71. Paid $500.00
for it barely used with less than 20K
miles on it. If any one car epitomized
the term “lemon”, the Toronado would
be it. My car had more problems than
Carter had liver pills. Seemed that every
week I was paying through the nose for
some kind of repair or another. Gear
whine, front end shimmy, excessive
tire wear, and overheating were just
for starters. Add in repairs to the
transfer case, and that damned car
turned into money pit really fast. The
last straw came when I was towing a
small johnboat on a trailer when both
driveshafts fell out onto the ground
leaving us stranded. In all, I spent
somewhere near $2,500.00 in 1971
money just to keep that lemon going.
And yes, the headlight tubes on mine
were a problem too. Since then, I’ve
hated anything with FWD. Even wrote my
congressman to see if this type of car
could be banned here in the ‘states due
to the outrageous cost of repairs. But
since that’s all they’re building these
days, I guess I’m stuck with it. The only
car that makes this platform even
slightly palatable is Mom’s 2001 Buick
LeSabre custom that has logged over
200K miles without any major repairs
at all. If theyd’ve built ’em like that in
’66, I wouldn’t get pissed off every time
I see a Toronado.
…yeah, but…. look at her, she’s gorgeous!!
I think it’s safe to say your car was a lemon, but I see no consensus that the Toronado was a lemon?
Your right Tom, I had many Oldsmobile’s back in the day, 1965 442, 1965 98, 1967 Delmont, and my favorite the 1971 Toronado which I drove for years while only having to replace the starter at around 45,000 miles, the only issue I did have was body rust as most other vehicle of that era also did.
I think we’ve all had a car (or a few) like that. Mine was a 1990 Ford Country Squire wagon. Worst piece of %$#^ I’ve ever had, and I’ve had around 100 cars at this point. For most people, they were durable and people say nice things about them. But, like you, when I see one, I have to breathe deeply and just keep walking.
I knew a woman that had one of these back in the 70’s. A sissy in a 1976 TA tried to race her. By the time he was across the intersection. She was down in the next block. These cars just flew.
My Dad bought one new in 66 and it was awesome. I have many fond memories of it. I bought one in 1980, and still have, will likely have it until the day i die. They are easy to work on, a blast to drive, and beautiful to me. Mine is queing up for its second restoration.
Could give many stories, that most wouldn’t believe. I love the car.
In the 2018 Si-Fi movie ANON staring Clive Owen, two cars we’re featured in that futuristic thriller. One was a beautiful aqua marine Vacel Vega, the other was a 1966 Toronado. What goes around comes around.
That’s…Facel Vega.
Thanks for sharing this Billy! I will definitely be seeing “ANON.” It’s not every day that a personal hypothesis comes to life on the silver screen. Thanks again! Movie = https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5397194/?ref_=ttmi_tt Car = https://www.google.com/search?q=2018+movie+ANON+toronado&client=firefox-b-1&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwikzZuGgcfcAhXQT98KHUWnBfQQ_AUICigB&biw=1906&bih=2011#imgrc=OEy4izF6gLMwDM:
This is the most discussion I’ve seen on a weekend car in a long time, and it deserves it. I once worked with a woman who just loved Eldorado’s and Tornados’ back in the 70’s. Her husband bought and rebuilt cars from car auctions and if there was either of those it came home with her. I’ve ridden in them a couple of times and it was great to ride in them. One of those luxury things, sit back and be chauffeured around.
That’s a great looking car there.
I have another one in my sights but it is in the southern part of the country and I haven’t been able to get over there.
I am getting anxious to go get it.
It has a beautiful interior.
My father had one, silver exterior and a white interior. Bought it new. It had a huge amount of torque but mileage was poor. People either like them or not, I liked it but not enough to want one.
Good Luck Miguel, she’s a beauty for sure !
Awesome cars. My uncle had a blue one and I remember getting in and seeing the flat floor without the tranny hump. My favorite was the ’66
Want something a little different…check out the Four-nado;
https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/mus/2014/06/Fouranado—1968-Oldsmobile-4-4-2/3738871.html
tom, thanks for sharing the Fouranado story. I had forgotten this cool historical car existed!
You bet, I would love to see it in person someday…
WOW!!! An incredible car; and a daily driver to boot !!
Parents had a 1968 with the 455 CID. Wow, what a great car. Crazy cool scrolling speedo and the horn was operated with a rubber membrane on the inside of the steering wheel.
Miguel, you’ll be sorry. Wouldn’t own one
if you gave it to me. My opinion…just
sayin’.
Kenneth, your one experience doesn’t negate a lot of others that had good luck with them.
I never had a mechanical issue with my ’67 Eldorados.
I sold one and one got stolen, but never a mechanical problem.
nice car.. i had 2 of the 66 olds toro’s and 2 67-68 early eldo’s all were really good cars that still hold the title for personal luxury to me..
I have a set of GT emblems I pulled off a Toronado years ago in one of my boxes of automobiles.
Hmmm…never knew if they were real or added on, but they were cool looking so I grabbed them
If they look like this, they’re real!
Now that’s ’66. I’m surprised no one commented that the one featured is actually a ’67.
The one featured is clearly a 1966.
The 1967 model had flush covered headlights.
Yes definitely a 66. The difference in the headlights, as mentioned, and the grille and tail lights had more of an egg crate or checkered design
A car on my bucket list before I pass. Always wanted one. I had a ’73 (a beater), and my folks had a really nice ’71. Always liked these big Toro’s.
Correct me if wrong but the three spoke wheel is a 1967 Toronado feature.
I believe you are right Pete. The exterior is definitely 66, but I don’t recognize that steering wheel from any 66 that I have seen.
It has been my understanding that the “Butterfly” steering wheel of the 66 was implying or mimicking a Top Fuel Dragster.