This 1985 Oldsmobile Toronado Brougham is a rare “Caliente” edition, basically the top billing for one of these if you had the hunger to own a luxury car in the height of the malaise era. While the Toronado nameplate is one of the more storied ones to emerge from GM’s factories, it was a shadow of its former self by the time this generation rolled out. Still, finding a nice one today isn’t particularly easy to do, especially with all the trappings Oldsmobile offered Toronado shoppers in 1985. This example listed here on eBay presents quite well with just over 53,000 original miles and bids to $5,300 with no reserve.
The Toronado has clearly been looked after, an aspect of its condition that is clearly displayed in the condition of the interior. The original owner of this Toronado clearly wanted every option Oldsmobile would sell him, as the Caliente trim was the top-of-the-line option, along with all the standard opulence the model came with. The heavily cushioned leather seating surfaces, woodgrain trim, and electronic instrument panel were all signs you had picked up the most expensive Toronado on the lot, even if your future resale value wouldn’t pay much attention to the out-the-door price.
The build sheet confirms there’s not many boxes left unchecked on the dealer invoice: power seats; Bose stereo with cassette; sliding power sunroof; power trunk release; leather-wrapped steering wheel (which is oddly “sporty” for a model like this); automatic door locks; and more, with the only option not working the typically broken power antenna. The digital instrument cluster tends to look cool no matter which car it’s found in, and considering the 1980s were seemingly the peak period for the use of this type of display, it’s surprising so many manufacturers still use the analog gauges. The wood trim presents surprisingly well, and the dash pad appears to be crack-free.
One of the more vulnerable areas on seemingly multiple GM products of this era are the plastic covers between the bumpers and the body, even on low-mileage, time-capsule cars like the Buick Grand National. Not here, as the seller is quick to point out the painted panels are in excellent condition. The chrome bumpers look good, too, and correspond nicely with the optional locking wire wheel covers. Overall, this Toronado is one of the nicer drivers we’ve seen lately, and while the current bid price isn’t anything outrageous, it’s still a strong number for a car like this. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Larry D. for the find.
I would say that in 1985, the malaise era was starting to wain, rather than being the height as claimed.
I’m not sure I agree that these were a shadow of their former self. I think they were a very decent next generation. They still had that solid American ride quality. Had plenty of room in it. Still had a V8. I think the next gen with the V6 was where they took a different turn. I don’t think it will stay at $5k for long, more like $12k…
I remember liking these when they were new in the 80’s, and I still kind of do. Great steering wheel and well preserved all the way around. Probably rides like a cloud and has pinky finger light steering. Nice to see that someone cared enough to take care of this loaded example for all of these years.
Oddly, back in those days, i think it was assumed by car makers that elderly or affluent drivers either wanted no part of aux gages & tach, or had no idea what they were for or meant – in luxury or big cars.
Could you get all those gages in ’85 on the toro, or only on the 442?
This car is fitted with “modern” name brand 215-70r-15 tires that now only have 3(instead of 4) grooves going around the tire?! The tires look skinny to me for that size! Today’s trend – less product for more money.
There’s a reason digital gauges were not that popular back then. They were generally troublesome. Likewise, the GM Bose systems of the day had their share of problems, especially with the amplifiers built into the speaker boxes. You can’t find replacements. Still, this is a nice example of a mid-80s luxury car and I have to admit, I’m a sucker for that “overstuffed” seating.
About as ugly as a GM came. Yech…
You mean that GM made uglier cars than this? I doubt it. This must be about the only American car that I have seen where the rear looks better than the front!
GM sold the car below & possibly designed part of it for the states – ugly at all angles! Something is very wrong when the headlites are bigger than the wheels! I’d rather walk than be seen in this(or the caddy below). & it makes the Yugo look like a masterpiece! …
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3a/Chevrolet_Spark_LS%2B_1.2_%E2%80%93_Frontansicht%2C_26._Juni_2011%2C_Mettmann.jpg/1280px-Chevrolet_Spark_LS%2B_1.2_%E2%80%93_Frontansicht%2C_26._Juni_2011%2C_Mettmann.jpg
_Frontansicht,_26._Juni_2011,_Mettmann.jpg
& this “Caddy” must have been designed for the Coneheads!!
People in the ’60s & earlier would LTAO at these “cars” …
http://th.bing.com/th/id/OIP.fNQYNI2kIkGwXyIUZ8dGNgHaEb?pid=ImgDet&rs=1
Caliente not Caleinta despite what the ad says. Currently up to $8,250 and still a good value for the miles and equipment.
Missing photos of chassis. Ohio.
I had an 80 Toro with a 350 and my preferred cloth seats. I miss that car but I’m not so sure if the 305 in the later Toros had enough power
It was the Oldsmobile 307, Gutless gas burning pig, the 350 cars were much better
It’s a ‘Toriera’!
(At least it didn’t have the ugly wrap-around rear window!)
My moms 85 Caliente is the only one I’ve
seen equipped with the memory seat option
At first glance of the rear end, I thought that this was a Riviera! Where are the distinctive beneath the rear window CHMSL’s, or is it too early a model for that?? Nicely kept, GLWTA!! :-)
Good catch, Moparman! Where IS the CHMSL that should be on that car?
The VIN confirms that it’s an ’85 model, and that was the first year that the CHMSL was required. Being an ’85, the CHSML wouldn’t have been integrated into the body of this car, however (GM treated it as an “add-on” and used a pedestal mounted CHSML that stood on the package shelf and was visible through the rear window on existing models so that the rear defroster grids were the only thing that needed to be redesigned immediately, and integrating them into the body as the various models were redesigned). But, as you’ve noted, that is missing on this car, even though one should be present.
CHMSL wasn’t required until 1986.
The Toronado is not a Mustang, Camaro, vintage Charger and other sought after collectible. But this example features great visual condition for being 36 years old, front wheel drive traction and the best GM luxury features. The 1985 models were downsized from their predecessors so parking the car won’t require a commercial driver’s license. To sum up, a nice find for an occassional daily driver and a comfortable ride to an antique and classic car meet.
I had a 85 myself, my only FWD car i have owned, the worst car of my life!!
Amazing example. I don’t know why but these were considered fancy back then. People who drove this or any other premium GM coupe (think Cadillac El Dorado or Buick Riviera) were looked upon as upper crust in my town. Maybe because coupes were branded as “personal luxury cars.” Not sure why that branding working. I liked them. And that steering wheel makes this car much more sportier than one with the standard Olds steering wheel. In my mind you only opted for the digital pkg if you could afford it. Or you were not tech savvy enough (old) to figure one out. And that’s why they weren’t that popular.
I owned an 83 Riviera brand new, worst car I ever owned, build quality terrible, 307 Oldsmobile motor, Gutless,Gas burning pig, interior was beautiful, body was beautiful, never bought a new GM car since, shame
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