The seller says you can just bring a battery with you and drive this 1981 Oldsmobile Toronado home today. What do you think – are we dealing with a comedian here or the world’s most optimistic optimist? The Toronado has clearly not turned a wheel in decades but it sure is appealing to think of being able to pop a few tires on, throw in a battery, and drive home any barn find you stumble across. This Toronado was thought to be a future collector’s item when it was new, but things haven’t exactly turned out that way. Find the Oldsmobile here on craigslist in Hood River, Oregon for $1,000.
The Toronado nameplate is a fairly storied one in the Oldsmobile family tree, and the earlier models are certainly more sought after than the later cars. This third-generation model was a casualty of the increasing attention given to fuel economy and overall efficiency, so the car was put on a significant diet compared to its forbears. Still, the performance was deemed respectable for the era, as the Olds could still hustle to 60 in under ten seconds and did so with a meager 170 b.h.p. from its 5.7L V8. Although I realize the seller is not serious about dropping a battery in and taking off, the 350 is at least one of those engines that might come to life fairly easily. The interior is in far better shape than the exterior would otherwise suggest.
Mileage is low at just over 76,000, and given these were notoriously unreliable cars, it makes you wonder why it was parked. If nothing else, the Toronado was still seen as a pinnacle of sorts, even during the lean years, and many retirees at the time would count the purchase of a Toronado as an achievement. The seller doesn’t divulge which engine is under the hood, however, and we could be optimistic thinking the 350 resides in the engine bay. The notorious diesel V8, the 307, and a 4L Buick V6 were all options, and any one of those motors would be far less appetizing to keep going when the fuel pump inevitably failed. Still, $1,000 is pretty cheap these days – is this Toronado worth rescuing?
As long as rats and mice didn’t chew up all the wiring it might be worth saving.
If the shipping is free? She’s mine!
You might want to call Orkin for a free quote before putting this one in your garage!
Oh go put some fresh fuel and spark plugs in it and drive it home, what is the worst that could happen. ;)
You would own it.
You could get bitten on the booty by a very unhappy critter that you are removing from his family.
You’re being beyond optimistic about the 350. The gas 350 wasn’t offered in the ’81 Toronado.
Exactly the 350 was 79-80’ also for Riviera
I think I see part of the word “unleaded” on the fuel gauge shown in the picture of the odometer, so at least it evidently isn’t a Diesel!
For a grand, engine or not, if the paint buffs out and no creatures have gotten inside, it is a nice car. Any Chevy small block will fit. Any will give you more drivable power. Of course, then again, how is the tranny? Not too many at the local car show, that is for sure. Might be a nice and cheap, weekend cruiser for someone on a budget. A good way to get into the hobby.
No, any Chevy won’t bolt up to the bell housing, motor mounts, radiator outlets, etc.
In before the first “leave it in the barn” comment :-)
At 76K miles in the early ’80s you were looking for a new cars ASAP.
That might apply to cars in the 1930’s, but in the 80’s, many would go over 200K
This probably not being one of them.
Still in the Barn, and should probably stay there!
If you look closely at one of the multitude of pictures (4 total), you can see part of the fuel gauge area, with the letters “ADED ONLY”, which I’m thinking at least rules out the stellar diesel engine. I’m with Big C — ship it to me and I’ll pay the grand!
As usual, any apparently good deal is on the west coast and I am in NC. Have to pass do to shipping costs and no personal inspection.
No 350s in these cars, 307 oldsmobile. For some reason they don’t bring alot of money. They did sell a convention convertible, they do sell for a fair amount. As for bring a battery and drive it home is a joke. You need to go through the whole fuel system, oil cylinders, change oil, check for rat damage, then maybe you can see if it starts. Then you have to change tires check brakes, trans fluid, then maybe you can test drive it around the block. This guy should get a job at local night club, cause he is funny as sh$t.
I was 15 when this one was new, but I was surrounded by these in each of its iterations: Toronado, Riviera, and Eldorado. My parents had a Riv, dads best friend had a new Toro every year, neighbors across the street had a stunning Eldorado Biarritz. I have to say quite a few of these, mostly 79-81, had transmission problems, so that’s one possibility for why it was parked.
Having had many cars I’ve bought and stored (in far better storage), it would be miraculous if mice had not had their way with wires and such.
I’m guessing this is located out south of town in what I knew as the area of orchards of all kinds. Huge barns for fruit sorting and storage. Were I still in Lincoln Beach, I would’ve gotten an alert on this and been up there with the trailer two hours later. I would guess the salvage value at $400. The Eldorado with a Cadillac engine in 1979 was the preferred car, but these were an excellent option for about $4000 less money. Nothing sticks in my memory as any sunk costs or catastrophic failures as we took many of this style in trade. Plus, there is a neat little 9 hole course with Gorge views in the area. Or there used to be. Hood River is the Oregon version of Aspen, so the town I used to enjoy is, I’m certain, a thing of my memory only. Getting old is only preferable to the alternative.
Post’s already been deleted. I’m not surprised. For someone who had $1000 to gamble with, and could afford to lose it if things didn’t pan out, this was worth taking a chance on…