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”.
Each side painted a different color for conflicting eye-witnees
reports after a bank robbery?
Or the owner was secretly a fan of Batman’s arch enemy, Harvey Dent AKA Two-Face?
Regardless, it’s a project, one that appears to have a lot of potential for the hardcore Toronado fan out there who I’ll bet who will seriously consider whether to take it back to the stock color.
Easy to see why it caught your eye, Russ!
Was this a super-limited Black and Gold Hurst edition? 1 of none?
Can I just buy the restored half?
half price
Pretty sure that ‘black’ side is actually green! If you look at the pictures on Facebook the interior is black on the passengers side and green on the drivers side.
The Ole “El Toro”! These are kinda cool to me
I am seeing green not black.
It looks to be a one of concept..blue and green..legit
They’re definitely cool cars. Great price and doesn’t appear to need too much work and $$ to make it really stand out. Don’t care what the factory color was, it needs to be something really dramatic and eye popping. I’d love it in fire engine red with some nice pin strpes, shiny chrome, and some really modern and cool black rims.
if you wanted to promote your business should have done the whole car not 1/2.
My dad had a 66 or 67 and then bought a 69. Tornados were fast… it might have weighed a ton or two, but it could accelerate like mad, and watching the speedometer spin as great fun. I was too young to drive the first one, but drove the 69 and I am still amazed that I did not get a raft of tickets.
Luke…come to the dark side.
My Dad was an Oldsmobile guy and he bought a brand new ’67 Olds 98 4 door. I asked him at the time about the Tornado because for my young eyes at the time it looked like a much cooler car. He said no, our family needed a 4 door, and he didn’t trust a front wheel drive car saying maybe they will work the bugs out of them some day….
My Dad was the same. Went from Pontiac to Oldsmobile. He always insisted that the front wheel drive Toronado was too heavy and had too much power for them too and that CV Joints would get eaten for lunch. Somehow, I think he was wrong on that point. Look at all those GMC mobil homes with the Olds powertrain running them with way more weight than a Toronado ever was, and quite successful too. They had a great design there. These Toronados are my favorite. I always liked the ’66 steering wheel the best. This one, I hope gets a PROPER restoration. I like the dark green aqua color on it.