This car literally defines the Barn Finds category “Nicest One Left?” and once you click on the eBay link here and check out the dozens of great photos that the seller has provided, I think you’ll agree. This is a familiar seller located in Lakeland, Florida and they always bring their best to the table. The current bid price is $6,100 but the reserve isn’t met.
This car appears to be in almost literally like-new condition. I can’t imagine that a buyer would notice much difference from a brand new car if they could go back to 1978 – yes, with white shoes, a white belt, and a leisure suit on – and visit their local Oldsmobile dealership to order a special XS model. This is one time when I hope that readers will check out all of the photos on the eBay link. I’ve already played it up too much, but I’m amazed at the condition of this car. I wish that our new cars were this nice.
We’ve seen a few XS Toronados here over the last few years and they’re always interesting. The hot wire bent glass on the rear window is almost as unique as it gets. One more level would have been if the company could have figured out a way to make the XSR model trouble-free. That experimental design had dual disappearing t-tops. That didn’t make it into production due to excess water leakage, unfortunately, but at least one XSR prototype was restored.
The XS Toronado was only offered for 1977 and 1978 and this is the last year before the legendary GM downsizing for the third-generation 1979 Toronado, Riviera, and Eldorado. This is one big, long, heavy car. It’s over 18-feet long and close to 5,000 pounds. The condition, though, gorgeous. I don’t see a flaw anywhere in this car inside or out, front or back, top or bottom.
Now that’s a gorgeous engine compartment, at least detail-wise. This isn’t a monster horsepower Oldsmobile of yore, but this Olds 403 cubic-inch V8 would have had about 190 horsepower and 325 ft-lb of torque. Both previous owners have always garaged this car when it wasn’t in use, and I sure hope the next owner doesn’t take advantage of the incredible front-wheel-drive traction to turn it into a winter car. Are there any fans of these big Toronados out there?
Aface only a mother could love.
Dang it angliagt I was gonna say that! This is in fantastic conditon, but boy is it ugly.
Owners only drove it at night to avoid being seen in such an ugly car.
My dad bought a 1978 XS sun roof, silver in colour with wrap around rear window. The 403 had a timing disc on the front of the engine with little notches on the circumference for a proximity switch, it gave accurate readings of the crank position. I think this feature didn’t end up on any of the generals other products, otherwise Dad got good mpg for such a Big car. Another neat addition, the dash had a vacuum gauge and it helped with mpg when cruising on the highway floating down the road. The good old days indeed!
I’m not sure what you’re looking at; I think it’s beautiful!
It may well be the “nicest one left” but (IMO) this Toronado looks wise had degenerated so far from the original rolling sculpture that it started as. True, the back glass was unique, but I see it as a desperate attempt to inject something desirable into this bloated mish mash of angles and lines. Nice ad and pictures, though (I think the Reserve won’t be met.) GLWTA! :-)
The XSR’s t-tops leaked because there was no drainage system built into the roof. ASC addressed this and offered the power-retracting t-tops on an aftermarket basis, usually installed on Eldorados.
CCFisher, the problem with the drainage on the T Tops, among a number of other big issues were never resolved by ASC or GM. After Oldsmobile dropped the project, ASC had a handful of the electric T Top setups already built so they approached Cadillac in hopes of installing and promoting the idea. The remaining 7 completed tops were installed in 7 1978 Eldorados, however, all the manufacturing issues were never resolved.
Agreed she is in great shape, especially for the miles. Took a fairly hard hit at some point in order to knock the front bumper, hood, and drivers door out of whack so much. Passenger door too, although to a lesser degree.
Will still make someone a very comfortable highway cruiser.
Yeah…looks like it took a hit from every branch of an ugly tree.
Those of you who are on here calling this ugly should try opening your eyes; I’m not sure what you’re looking at, but I certainly wouldn’t use “ugly” to describe this one!
@KenB Does “hideous” work?
It wasn’t unusual for cars from that era coming out of the factory with mismatched fitment and lines. Quality control wasn’t up to snuff. These hadn’t been made by robotic assembly lines yet either. You should have seen Ford Fairmonts from back then! I saw one leave the dealership with a back-up light hanging out!
Terry, I agree that fitment wasn’t high on the list of car manufacturers. My 59 Rambler Ambassador has some of the worst fitment of doors, hood, trunk, and even the trim. Drives me nuts to look at it. But I’m resigned to consider them ‘beauty marks’. Sigh!
Mom had a 73 same colour, Had a 455. A lot of car to go chasing groceries in. Could smoke yjose front tires up with ease. Rode on a cloud of comfort although got tight with a family of 7 in it.
Got lifted in 94 and either parted out or shipped overseas.
Did Dodge buy this Toronado’s dual headlites/blinkers assembly from Oldsmobile, & flip them around for their Diplomat? Or viceversa?
Holy Tornados, Batman, that thing is unbelievable. I’m astonished it actually has 74K miles on it. It’s almost too nice to drive. These weren’t the best looking Toronados ever, but that rear window is unique and cool.
Nice?? Hmmm. Hearing-aid beige, too.
How’s that?
That is beautiful. The ride and comfort doesn’t exist anymore.
Clark Griswald front end
I’m thinking of parking this right next to the front door at the country club entrance, grab a garage sale set of patina’d Arnold Palmer clubs out of that trunk, swing by the bar, get an Jack n Coke in a to-go cup for 18 glorious holes. Beautiful ride.
Sounds like a ruination of Jack … once heard a guy ask for Jack with diet root beer … bartender refused to make it …
One thing jumps out at me that is odd. The climate control panel is only where the driver can get to them. That’s a grandpa option if I have ever seen one! Car is so ugly, its cool though.
“…any fans …”
not I. Go earlier model. That’n the earlier Riviera are models I would have loved to see the faces of the europeans as they drove by (’63 for the Riv, ’66 the Tora).
This is something I’d wanna look at, but not own. May B drive once.
’71-73 Boat-tail Rivs weren’t bad either. And had a ton of power from their 455.. This Toronado has a weakling smogged out 403!
She’s a boatload of Butternut
I remember years ago wanting to place an ad in the local newspaper and they refused to use it. It could not say ‘nicest, best, only one, etc.’ Just sayin’
Should have been called a ‘Toronadon’t’. But ugly car…especially with that wrap-around rear window!
Coolest feature of this design was the high mounted brake lights, years before the Fed mandated them.
While waiting at the school bus stop in Bethel Park, PA in 1977 or 1978, one of these got hit hard from behind by a huge dump truck that couldn’t stop in time. Smashed the whole back end in up to those high mounted brake lights (which still worked after the wreck). The guy drove it home, with the back wheels dragging.
Modern cars are safer regarding air bags – side & front impacts, assuming you are not hit too hard, but with such short mickey mouse trunk lids in back, no air bags behind you & short rear overhangs, & the back seat being much closer to the rear of the modern car, that dump trunk would probably kill everyone in the back seats of most cars today.
This car is in fabulous condition – even if you don’t like the body style. Incredible for 74K miles – it looks like 24K. I like the color, too. It’s a nice light yellow with everything matching. You have to like this kind of car, though, and not everyone does.
That interior looks pretty poofy and comfortable looking!
The fuel economy gauge is a laugh though – this thing would get pretty poor mileage no matter how gentle you were with it.
In the late 90s I knew someone with a regular (non-XS) Toronado – and they used it in the winter because the FWD traction was so good. It was a shame because it was a beautiful low mileage car. Light blue with a light blue interior and white vinyl half roof. I’m sure it ultimately rusted out which is a shame it got used that way.
Sad that the once stylish Toronado morphed into this ugly beast.
In YOUR opinion… NOTHING ugly about this one, in my opinion!
I agree, Ken B. I must be getting old, still love the looks of the 70’s cars. This one would be awesome in my garage!
Hahahahaha
Plenty of others agree with ME on this one.
You are entitled to YOUR opinion.
Can’t anybody enjoy a nice vehicle for what it is? Just about everyone has a negative comment about the looks. As I was told when I was young “if you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say anything at all”. You people need to get a life.
We’re just guys talking smack in the garage, Al. This isn’t the place for sanctimony. You might want to head over to Twitter for that
amen!
Gee Al, I’ll have to remember this the next time I’m going to post a comment.
We’re talking about an old car, not a person. Nothing to get butt-hurt about.
Absolutely stunning condition…I’d own and drive this any day!! They sure don’t make ’em like this anymore.
So many got trashed in demo derbies where they were popular because of traction being fed. I’d be so proud to drive this one anywhere especially to church.
Love it
In an old car world overflowing with Mustangs, Tri-5s, Corvettes, LS swaps and hideous restomods slammed too low, this luxobarge is just what the doctor ordered.
Sure, the earlier iterations of the Toro are better looking, but 1978 is 1978, and Disco was king!
Lots of looks comments I see,and true enough the sixties tornados looked best to many of us,but I sure would love to cruise this down the highway on a road trip!
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I do like it, but would be much better in the silver/red mentioned. Should warn ☠ the other fans that I also like Corvette wagon conversions, custom vans and other 70s things of questionable taste!
Should also mention that the 66-67 Tornado is an absolute classic.
@ Rob Calgary.
I may be mistaken (never wrong!) but I think this car may have had the Oldsmobile “MISAR” system which was an early GM effort at computerized ignition control hence the “proximity switch” to which you refer. I still have a MISAR controller for one of those engines in my “very valuable parts” collection — or at least that’s what I’ve been telling She Who Must Be Obeyed about the pile of really neat automotive stuff in my basement.
RB
Really cool car, but a few notes. No tilt wheel lever, no power antenna switch next to the rear defrost switch although it looks to have a front fender mounted power antenna, and originality is out the window as that is most definitely not a Delco sound system. This car was from an era where you literally built it yourself when you ordered it, you tailored it the way you wanted…no preassigned packages or levels of trim…
Oops…my apologies, it does indeed have tilt wheel.
I would take this car’s styling in a minute rather than the uninspired jelly-bean cars they crank out today.
Do you know what’s ugly, all the black walled grey on grey cars produced today, that you can’t tell a Toyota from a Infinity or a Lexus, or an Acura till you get close enough to read a name, that’s ugly, no chrome blacked out windows, no flash, no contrast, no taste, this car you could call from 2 blocks away, it was called style, and which idiot came up w the trend that whitewalls were ugly?
Europe , I believe .lol
Funny how so many are suggesting this beautiful unique car is ugly. This Olds is not ugly in anyway shape or form. Imagine how much attention this car drew when it was new? There was nothing like it at the time. Look how much attention it’s gathering here with well over 50 comments already.
Auction update: this auction ended at $11,101 and no sale.
Say what you want to about these, but until you have driven or owned one you could never understand. I have been a Eldorado lover since I was 16 when I got my first one, 1974. Now I have a white with red interior 78 XS and I absolutely love it. My only regret is I had the opportunity to buy a black one but didn’t, a local guy owns it. Show up at car shows and see another one? Slim chance. That back window is unique. I am working out a deal to trade my 75 Sedan for a a 77 Toronado brougham and have both at shows.