While the vast majority of classic car buyers go for quarter-mile busting muscle cars, the Oldsmobile Toronado stands out as a sleek, sophisticated piece of design with some interesting history behind it.
First rolling off the line for the 1966 model year, the Oldsmobile Toronado is perhaps best known for its innovative front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout. Although modern enthusiasts may not appreciate the engineering behind it, the Toronado was in fact the first U.S.-produced front-wheel-drive automobile to hit the scene in almost thirty years, and in its day, it was seen as a breakthrough piece of technology that would see adoption across the GM lineup.
GM even brought an Oldsmobile Toronado to the Pikes Peak Hill Climb to prove the layout could compete in terms of performance, managing an impressive result with the legendary Bobby Unser at the helm.
The Oldsmobile Toronado looks great as well, as evidenced by the example featured here, which presents in a two-stage Viking Blue Metallic paint, with a blue vinyl top. This particular example also comes with the original blue interior, as well as a host of power features, such as power steering, power brakes, power windows, power locks, and power seats. What’s more, this particular example is equipped with the factory A/C and the factory 8-track.
Providing the motivation is a 455 cubic-inch V8 engine, which mates to the TH-425 three-speed automatic transmission. The engine looks quite nice as well thanks to a matching blue finish.
With just 43,890 actual miles on the clock, this 1970 Oldsmobile Toronado is sure to get a fair amount of attention. Now, interested buyers will find it up for sale from Primo Classics International in Lakeland, Florida, listed at $26,500.
Does this cool blue coupe catch your eye? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Oldsmobile news and around-the-clock General Motors news coverage.
Source: Primo Classics International
Comments
Wow; that’s a blast from the past. I was a GM line mechanic back then, working at an Olds dealership; I worked on many of those cars. The engine/transaxle arrangement was unique, with the trans placed alongside the engine, and driven by a huge crank-to-trans chain. As I recall, all that machinery was quite reliable; most service complaints were for mundane issues similar to more-conventional Olds models—electrical problems and squeaks/rattles.
One such complaint from the owner of one new Toronado was a faint ‘clunking’ sound coming from the driver’s door when the car rounded a turn in either direction. The cause proved to be an empty beer can rolling back and forth inside the bottom of the door, apparently placed there by a cheeky Lansing assembly line worker.
I owned a ‘67 Toronado Deluxe and wish I still owned it. It was a great highway vehicle despite the miserable gas mileage. I now own a ‘74 GMC Motorhome which by the way leveraged the Toronado engine/front wheel drive technology from 1973-78. It too was ahead of its time when introduced in 1973.
I would consider buying this car.
I would consider purchasing this car.
Now that is a keeper for sure.
I had a beautiful white 70 Toronado. When I see one like this, it makes me sad that I ever sold mine.
In a sea of 442’s gto’s ss396’s and other muscle cars it nice to be the only one at a car meet or cruise with a tornado ,like muscle cars with high compression engines love s to drink 98high octane leaded fuel not sold any more . can you really drive them ? Drop the compression ratio down from 10.75 to 8 I still like them any way
They don’t need 98 octane fuel. They are 10.25 to 1. They ping a bit on initial acceleration on 92.
The public was not that happy with the vehicle being front wheel drive, the vehicle had it’s share of bearing issues !
Probably one of the more unique features of this design was the flat floor since the driveshaft tunnel was eliminated. A great selling point when the car was introduced in the 1960’s and most cars large cars had bench seats. I’m sure that feature alone sold many customers on the Toronado.
I have a 1970 oldsmobile toronado that im willing to sale with 19,001 exact miles some ones gain my lost $10,000 everything wrks and is A1
I have a 1970 oldsmobile toronado that im willing to sale with 19,001 exact miles some ones gain my lost $10,000 everything wrks and is A1 205-881-6521 call or leave message and i will return them with pics
In 68′ my Dad had a tan 66′. We had to get from Wisconsin to Arkansas in a short period of time due to a death in the family. The Toronado gave a powerful and comfortable ride, until we got to Missouri, at which time one of the rods in the 455 let loose. We always blamed that more on the way it was driven as opposed to the build quality, which I why, after a 2 week fix and getting it back home, Dad traded for the 69′. Great car for it’s time and with less cost than the Cadillac Eldorado of the same year.
Extremely overpriced, in my opinion! I purchased a ’68 Toronado last Spring from Illinois, paid $3500, and $900 to get it down South, and it only has 6000 more miles than this one, now showing 49,270. I even have the original window sticker. Thank God mine doesn’t have the vinyl top, never liked them, all they’re good for is rotting out the front and rear glass. Fortunately, mine was stored indoors, since new, never saw winters, had been parked since ’79. Took a couple of months, but finally got it back on the road, after a major fuel system cleaning, tuneup, tires, master cylinder and wheel cylinders, clean-up and detailing. Looks like a new car, drives like one too. The 455 is a torque monster, suprisingly quick, for such a big car!
I would like a mint tornado loaded extra low mileage. Ready to go silver red interior. Would trade Ford F-150 mint 4+4 every option short box double cab leather int. Gray color white beautiful 80.000 easy miles all new oils chrome packages Laurier too much to list no dents perfect
For that money it really needs to be a GT.
Extremely overpriced, in my opinion! I purchased a ’68 Toronado last Spring from Illinois, paid $3500, and $900 to get it down South, and it only has 6000 more miles than this one, now showing 49,270. I even have the original window sticker. Thank God mine doesn’t have the vinyl top, never liked them, all they’re good for is rotting out the front and rear glass. Fortunately, mine was stored indoors, since new, never saw winters, had been parked since ’79. Took a couple of months, but finally got it back on the road, after a major fuel system cleaning, tuneup, tires, master cylinder and wheel cylinders, clean-up and detailing. Looks like a new car, drives like one too. The 455 is a torque monster, suprisingly quick, for such a big car!
The vinyl top on this car is beautiful as she was always stored in a climate-controlled garage. With all the added bright work it gives the car a much more stylish look than the “Plain Jane” regular models and there is absolutely no “rot” around the rear windshield. Everyone comments on how stylish she looks. I’m sure yours is better however.
It appears you cannot open the glove box due to the 8-track mount. Was it added later? Also, the motor appears to be the wrong color blue. Rebuilt? Otherwise, it’s a beauty.
The 8-track is a factory option. The Glove Box opens just file and no, the engine has not been rebuilt.
Man, Olds butchered that car by ’68.
The ’66 & ’67 were a beautiful, groundbreaking design.
My uncle bought back in 57 a new ford, I know not on topic here, but he complained for ever to the dealer of a rattle from the passenger door, dealer finally took the door apart and found a glass coke bottle some assembly line worker placed it it, and ford outsold chevy that year, hard to believe.
Had a 1971and 1977 both were outstanding – ride – power – traction – ok gas mileage was not great but it was cheaper . Would still buy AN Oldsmobile today . Dumb GM should have dropped Buick instead
Brings back memories of when I had my 1974 Oldsmobile Toronado boy I wish I had that car today a large car with style and power though lousy on gas ⛽ mileage, it also had the flat floor which I thought was neat. I agree G.M. made a mistake in getting rid of Oldsmobile and the Toronado
My dad had new 66 and 70 Tornados. Thiese cars were bad assed back in the day. The 70 was a GT model. Higher lift cam bigger quadrajet dual exhaust. That 70 had a really sweet exhaust rumble.
This is a nice example, but it is overpriced – using Hagerty’s valuation. Concours it can fetch $26K, but this looks to be overall in Excellent condition, which puts it in the $18K range.
I’m sure you got a better deal on yours.
Hey Kelvin Long, you listed the wrong phone number.
My Father and Grandfather had many Oldsmobiles and this is an absolutely beautiful automobile. After a little mechanical work she purrs like a kitten and rides like a dream. It will get up and go if need be. I get “eyeballed” everywhere I go. The interior is overall fantastic for a car of this age and the “old car smell” is freaking awesome. The vinyl top is supple, looks like new and really sets the style. The factory 8 track even works. So far it’s attracted a lot of attention at car shows. You sure don’t see many of these babies. So glad it’s mine.