Introduced in 1966, the Oldsmobile Toronado was based on the same E Body platform as the Buick Riviera, but with front wheel drive, a first for an American manufacturer in the nearly three decades since Cord folded in 1937. For whatever reason, the prices of the Toronado and other 1960s personal luxury coupes have never risen to the same heights as pony and muscle cars of the same era. As a result, they make a good entry point into the classic car hobby, especially when they need a bit of work. Case in point is this 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado, available here on Craigslist in Modesto, California for $5500.
The seller does not include a whole lot of detail about this first-year Toronado in the ad but says it is “very clean, [in] very good condition inside and out” and the photos seem to support this. It appears to have been stored for some time in a dirt floor barn or carport. The body looks to be quite solid which is unsurprising considering its West Coast location. There doesn’t appear to be any body damage aside from some small spots of surface rust so it’s possible it could just need a good cleaning and paint touch up. The bumpers do have some dents and rust so that will need to be taken care of. These early Toronados have serious presence with their curvaceous bodies and prominent wheel arches that house wheels with a large negative offset to accommodate the front-wheel drive system.
Much like the white exterior, the red interior also looks to be nicely preserved and mostly in need of a cleaning. The two most noticeable flaws are a tear on the passenger’s side of the front bench seat as well as a falling headliner. The door panels, dashboard, and rear seat, however, all appear to in good shape aside from a layer of grime. The instrument cluster holds a variety of gauges including a drum-type speedometer. One neat design feature of these cars is the completely flat floor since there was no need for a driveshaft tunnel, resulting in ample foot space for front passengers.
One thing that could scare off some buyers is the missing title; also there are no keys so a new set will have to be made. The seller states that some spare parts will be included. No mention is made as to whether the big 425 cubic inch V8 runs or turns over; and with the length of time this old Toronado has sat it can be safely assumed that the brake hydraulics will need to be overhauled. $5500 seems like a fair asking price since Hagerty lists a #4 Fair condition example at $7200. Would you take a chance on bringing this big old 5,000 lb. front-wheel-driven land barge back to life?
I wonder if it’d look better if it was washed?
One of the most stylish cars out there.
I have a friend whose parents were from Yugoslavia, and his dad bought a rather new ’66 Toronado like this,,probably in the late 60’s, my friend was just a kid. It was the 1st car he bought in new country. His dad passed away shortly after and never really drove the car. It sat in their garage for as long as my friend could remember. I looked at it in the early ’80’s, and while it was low mileage, it had already deteriorated, and at the time, not many people cared for them, like my old man,never trusted front drive. I guess the apple didn’t fall far on that one. The house was eventually sold around 2000 and I’m sure the car was junked. Still, a car like this is always a great find, just because, look where FWD went and this car ( with a few exceptions) started it all. There simply can’t be many left in this condition. They were great cruisers despite it’s thirst for fuel.
His first description is “very clean”…lost me right there.
You know that’s not 48k and 148k is a LOT of miles for that car. The drivers floorboard looks like it has 3 holes in it, all the interior chrome is pitted.
Without a better description and more pictures this car is a gamble.
What picture shows 3 holes?
Maybe three holes in the carpet
I had a 66 Toro. Was fast, very good road car. Rock steady at 85 in snow, rain, wind. Best road car I ever drove. Wonder what it would have been like with radial tires and good shocks. This is a lot of car when fixed up. And mine was bulletproof.
Back in the mid 70’s I worked with a lady whose husband would pick up cars at auction and rebuild/sell them. Thing was she had a thing about the front wheel drive Old’s and Caddy’s and she would buy every one they saw. Last time I saw them back in the 80’s she had maybe a half dozen of them and wouldn’t let one go come heck or high water.
I rode in one they’d finished and it was a very impressive driving car. I never had the love of them she did but given how well they drove I’d have been willing to get behind the wheel of one.
My 2 cents.
>>”…the Oldsmobile Toronado was based on the same E Body platform as the Buick Riviera, but with front wheel drive…”<<
'Platform' is a misnomer with regards to BOF cars. RE the Toro / Riviera; they were both E-Bodys (the shell), but the chassis's were entirely different. In BOF construction, it's obviously quite possible to bolt 2 same-family body shells on completely different chassis's.
Love that the climate control buttons are located in a spot where only Grandpa is in control! Only thing I dislike is the dirt all over the car! Take ten minutes and hose it off, it will make it look a lot better.
I used to own a 1970 Toronado in the early 1980s. Mint, low mileage car. In my opinion, it’s not as good looking as the original but it sure blew the doors off of 396s.
I drove a 1970 “survivor” a few years back that was in excellent condition. I agree with Paul; though IMO not as good looking as the original, WHAT a nice driving car! Very stable, great power, and good handling for such a large, heavy car.
Lost Pink? LOL Does it mean this car is a steal?
Missing air cleaner, yet no picture? Gee the hood is already ajar, people are so lazy.
Love the design and line of this car. But my favorite thing about these, is the barrel speedo.
Second greatest American car built in any numbers. Second only to its spiritual ancestors the 810 and 812 Cords. Production for the ’66 was just under forty one thousand.
Without a TITLE it will only be a parts car….That is why its priced cheep…..
In California, it is very easy to get a lost title for a car like this. As long the VIN comes up and not stolen. Just fill out some DMV paperwork, CHP inspection and your good to go. Very easy process.
Dealing with the lost title is easy. You get a “Request for duplicate title” form from the DMV. You fill out a statement of facts. The DMV researches their files for any issues. You have the car’s VIN verified in person by someone at the DMV or by going to a CHP office. If everything checks out you pay a small fee and they will issue a new title in your name. It’s a pretty easy process. California has more cars than god himself and people have been losing paperwork since forever. They have had a lot of time and experience to work out a way to deal with this very common problem.
You can look all this up on the California DMV website and get started there.