Two-Face Project: 1967 Oldsmobile Toronado

Oldsmobile introduced the Toronado in 1966 as a personal luxury car. Unlike other U.S.-built cars in its class, it used front-wheel-drive, the first time since Cord did it back in the 1930s. This ’67 was redone 20 years ago as a promotional piece for a body shop, with one side painted black and the other tan (which we assume is the original color of the whole car). Located in a garage in St. Louis, Missouri, this interesting conversation piece is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $9,000 (it was $12,500 at one time).

The Toronado started off strong in 1966 with sales of 41,000 units but dropped off in the second year as the car was little changed in its next outing. Under the hood resided a 425 cubic inch “Super Rocket” V8 which produced a potent 385 hp. Olds had to modify the Turbo-Hydramatic transmission to adjust for the FWD, and it was dubbed TH-425. It employed a chain-drive system unlike the regular TH-400. I don’t think I ever rode in one of these Oldsmobiles, but I heard they handled wel,l though they were front-end heavy.

As the story goes, the car’s current appearance was prompted by its use as a half-restored marketing device for the seller’s shop. His business was restoration, and perhaps the car attracted attention between what once was and what it was becoming. But apparently that was two decades ago, so the work has deteriorated with age. The car doesn’t run, but that might not come with too much difficulty as the “bottom” of the drivetrain has been rebuilt.

Rust is present, but in small doses, and we’re told the Oldsmobile is complete, so redoing it shouldn’t involve a lot of searching for bits and pieces. The interior also needs a refresh, and the car will need to be towed. The big question is which color you would elect to go with, black or tan (I’d go with whatever was factory)? Thanks for the tip, “Zappenduster”.