There’s no doubt that at 227 inches in length, the 1978 Oldsmobile Toronado is an imposing presence on the road. The XS model adds to that presence with its “bent glass” rear window and power sunroof; only 2,453 were made in 1978, and this one is for sale right now.
The first Toronado of 1966 was a big, beautiful car, but those looks didn’t translate into consistently spectacular sales. For the 1970s, Oldsmobile tamed the styling to give the Toronado a more mainstream, middle-of-the-road ’70s look. By 1978, the look was getting a little stale, and 1979 would bring a brand new, drastically downsized model. But sometimes excess (XS?) is best, right?
Yes, that’s the model name of this second-generation special sendoff for the Toronado. It was actually marketed in 1977 and 1978 and sold just over 5,000 units over those two model years. The coolest thing about the XS is its “bent glass” rear window; as interesting as it was, it never really caught on, even though it was also used on B-Body coupes during this time period.
The XS buyer also got the aforementioned power moonroof for the extra $2500 over a regular Toronado, and the seller says that this one works perfectly. The interior is about the poshest velour you could buy, and the whole attitude says that you’d be about the most style-forward person pulling up to the dance club on a summer evening in 1978.
Under the hood of the XS was the same Oldsmobile 403 that powered other Toronados. Producing 190 horsepower and 325 lb./ft. of torque, it was Oldsmobile’s most potent engine for 1978. The owner says that all the hard work of getting the car back on the road has been done, including brakes and fuel system. With 115,000 miles on it, there’s still plenty of life left in this old Oldsmobile.
Not everything in our world can be perfect, of course, so the air conditioning is charged but does not work very well. The power antenna also needs a helping hand.
The seller points out that there’s a little rust behind the rear wheels and that the taillight bumper fillers are cracked (but the car comes with new replacements that have not been installed). Aside from that, it sounds like a solid, fully-operational car, and let’s face it, most cars in the four-digit price range come with a few problems.
This big, wide (80 inches!) Toronado XS is currently for sale on eBay with a high bid of $2,950. It’s located in Idaho, and the seller is willing to help with shipping arrangements. If you like ’70s cars at their outrageous best, this Toronado might be your style. Better measure the garage first.
This car will take all your car money and never give it back. That’s not say they were not a nice car. Haha. Too bad the 455 was gone by 78. Excess and opulence has its price.
My late Great Uncle Norman had one of these, Skinny Jewish WW2 Vet, my Dad used to joke you could use him as a Slim Jim. Got drafted 1944 at age 26 with 2 kids, passed in 1982, too soon
Love the back window on these. No idea where you could find another if it broke.
I find it somewhat sad that the stylish, ground breaking Toronado had by this time, morphed into this (IMO) hideous oversized monstrosity. I wonder if the “XS” was someone’s tongue in cheek dig at it? Never the less, a nice vehicle for someone. GLWTA!! :-)
Considering Olds used the XS moniker on previous vehicles it kinda played right in on the rear window theme. This is sort of the last breath of Colonnade styling except without a pillar.
Another very rare car. I loved the back glass. This was needs a little work, but how many are left? If the horsepower robbing pollution devices were removed, this car would be awesome.
Nice write up Aaron. I worked these new in 1977 and 1978 at a very busy Olds dealership. I had no idea 46 years ago these were built in low numbers. The bosses wife had a white one with red interior. Beautiful. These cars wore out plenty of front suspension parts due to the weight. It took about two hours just to wash and wax that thing. Horrible on gas but itcwas,about 45 cents a gallon utilisé the 1979 oil embargo.
My landlord had a 74 Toronado, I used to wash it for him, then take it for a blast and melt the front tires, I was 15, lived that car, Disco Days forever
I’m sure that SafeLite has a bunch of these XS rear glass replacements in stock. Can you imagine their technician trying to fit it into the rear opening with their portable rig? Maybe your Olds dealer can help. Oops… maybe not.
SOLD for $4,700.
My God these were awkward looking cars. I had a Tomica Pocket Car (1/64 scale) version of this as a kid. Bought at the Otasco toy department. Y’all remember those stores? One of my butthole playmates stole it when we were playing little cars. Even the doors opened on my Japanese version hot wheels. Pocket cars even had working suspension! Steve, wherever you are, Karma is a beeeeach and that’s why you just had a 2nd hip replacement and are on your 6th marriage you azzhat. You should have never stolen my Toranodo XS, you jerk! I actually have two ad copies of this car with the power T-tops it was supposed to have. Rumor had it that the ASC conversion didn’t meet quality standards and the ads were created before the concept almost production project got shut down..