It’s healthy to come clean about one’s flaws; therefore, I’ll say it: I’m a Toronado snob. The brutally handsome 1966 Toronado is top ten, maybe top five, on my “list,” so I tend to look askance at its successors. Even the ’67 gets a bit of side eye, because Oldsmobile just couldn’t leave it alone; did they think they could improve that grille, those wheel covers? Of course, this is the very definition of pettiness. Look at this ’69 model and tell me it’s not handsome. Sure, they tried to veer toward the mainstream by eliminating those gorgeous fuselage-like quarter panels, but it only suffers by comparison. Let’s give this Toronado, that’s listed on eBay in Washington with no reserve, a fair shake.
This is the image that won my heart over. Most agree that the ’68 and ’69 “bumper-forward” look was a step backward from the knife-edged, Cord-like ’66, but it’s bold and intimidating. Striking design sells cars as well as beautiful design, and the hidden headlamps of the ’68 and ’69 are even more novel than their predecessor’s.
The interior still benefits from the Toronado’s front-wheel-drive architecture with its flat floor and unobtrusive dashboard. The rotating-drum speedometer still dazzles occupants, although the Buick-like steering wheel is perhaps a little on the dull side. The seller says that this is a one-owner, 56,000-mile survivor and includes the Protect-O-Plate and other documentation to prove it.
Under the Toronado’s long hood is Oldsmobile’s biggest big block, the 455, making 375 standard horsepower in Toronado trim. With the optional ($47) 400-horsepower engine, the Toronado disposed of the quarter-mile in 16.4 seconds at 97 miles per hour according to Sports Car Graphic, who ran a comparison test between the Toronado and (yes, really) a Citroen DS-21. Weighing 5000 pounds, the big Toronado needs every one of those 455 cubic inches, but it still handily outran its French opponent.
The engine compartment of this Toronado looks as clean as a 56,000-mile engine compartment should. All the power accessories work, so we’ll have to assume that the air conditioning is included in that assertion. The power seat and power windows are still on the job, and the car “starts right up and drives great.” Buyers beware: You will get terrible fuel mileage with any big-block personal-luxury coupe from the ’60s. I have a Riviera and a Thunderbird, and 10 miles per gallon on average is the reality of this little world; but you already expected that, and who cares about fuel mileage when you’re living the Toronado life.
Yes, I’ve been unfair. Not only is the ’69 Toronado a striking car in its own right, this particular car is in lovely condition, and again, it’s selling with no reserve. As of Wednesday, the high bid is $6,095, so someone could benefit from a collector car that slips through the cracks to some extent. Our loss is someone’s gain.
Oh wow. I would’ve commented sooner but was cleaning the drool up off the floor. This is just beautiful. I like the 66 Toronados, but quite frankly, the 68 and 69 bumper/ nose is really nice too. I would love to drive an optional 400 horse 455 Toronado just to experience it. A 16.4 second 1/4 mile time with thise front wheels smoking has got to be something to see and experience. This is a really great find. Thank you for writing it up.
Hey Aaron, which Riviera do you own? I have a ’63, as everyone here is painfully aware.
Mine’s also a ’63, Rex. It’s Fawn Mist with a black custom (deluxe) interior.
Aaron, that sounds like a great color combination. Is the headliner black?
Mine is Teal Mist with white deluxe interior, black carpet. But I ordered a white package shelf from Clark’s, didn’t want black back there under the back glass here in Tampa. I also had to cover the lower door bolsters in vinyl, as that plastic material was sun-baked and very brittle.
Aaron, please post a pic. Rex, your car looks great!
This is my ’63; it looks better in pictures than it does in real life; it’s a 10-footer with old paint. Rex, the headliner is off-white.
Love the look of your Riv Aaron. Really like the white walls and hub caps, the way Bill Mitchell and Ned Nichols intended.
Yours too, Rex! My favorite color on early Rivieras is any medium blue, so I’m a little envious, and I’ve always preferred the standard wheel covers to the turbines (or the later Rallys).
Nice car,but a real step back from the great styling of
the ’66.
Once again,WHY can’t people register vehicles in the
state they live in?This IS NOT a “One Owner” car.The seller
would be the second owner.
Appears to be a flipper.
Although I like all of the first generation Toronado’s the 66-67 have the 425 cu. in. engine that was a really special unit
10 gallons per mile once you hit the go pedal!
Love this one, and at no reserve it might be a good deal.
My mom had a 76 Toronado silver over burgundy gorgeous car that was totaled by an ignition fire. That’s a whole nother story. I see where her car got it’s good looks from. If l were a collector I’d buy this car. It’s a good deal.
I’ve been fortunate to own a 68 White and 69 Silver which I preferred. It had the 400HP engine with gobs of torque, a true pleasure to drive and could outrun various challengers however sold both and have regretted it ever since.
Those are 66 wheels on this car, yes?
Look fantastic on the 69, completely change the personality of the car for the better.
A blue engine? Shouldn’t that be red or gold?
All 455 were blue! Except the Hurst olds in 68 69 remember the 455 came out in 68 in b body cars! And not until 70 in the A body! 425 in the 66 67 years would be red! but the 400 in the A body were bronze!
It’s not handsome, that huge front bumper is godawful ugly compared to the 66. The same front end that Bill Mitchell had on his chopped Camaro sized Toro show car. Looks like a smiling jackass..
The 400hp version of this 455 in ’68 was an OAI motor.
now there’s a car!
I love the 1st gen Toronado (& Riviera, tho nota “cheb” fan).
They broke the mold after those (2 1st gen) cars.
I spent many a mile riding in and driving a ’68 that belonged to my sister. Although many folks wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between it and this car, one of my strongest memories comes from every time we left the garage at night. The headlights would come on before the honeycomb louvers opened, so there would be a fascinating display of honeycombs on the back wall of the garage as they opened. I would sit and stare at it like I was at the movies. Coming home wasn’t any fun because the lights went off before the doors closed.
As is often the case criticisms of this era of Toronados come from those who have never driven them or lived with them. They typify a time when massive luxury was a feeling to be savored – witness the curb weight. What’s sometimes overlooked in accounts of the Toronado driving experience is the sonorous rumble of the exhaust. Today’s designers who “tune” the exhaust with inputs to the stereo system would be well advised to listen to some of these old behemoths.
Had one hell of a car,broke the front axles,common thing if you get on the pedal,500.00$ for new ones! Only paid 200$ for the whole car.sold it for 75 dollars.
My mom had a 76 Toronado silver over burgundy gorgeous car that was totaled by an ignition fire. That’s a whole nother story. I see where her car got it’s good looks from. If l were a collector I’d buy this car. It’s a good deal.
SOLD for $15,200.