1966 Oldsmobile Toronado Coupe

Debuting in 1966 was the most innovative Olds in a generation. The Toronado was an intriguing front-wheel-drive hardtop coupe which represented a clean break with the past and a commitment to front drive that would be corporate-wide for GM by 1980. The 425-ci V8 came from full-size Oldsmobiles, and delivered 385 horsepower. It was teamed with a 'split' automatic transmission, wherein the torque converter was mounted directly behind the engine, and then a Turbo Hydramatic transmission located under the left cylinder bank was driven by a chain drive. This design allowed for a much more compact package that would have otherwise been possible, and allowed the engineers to locate the engine directly over the front axle centerline. The Toronado was unquestionably the most outstanding single Olds of the 60s, and would prove to be the last truly innovative product that Lansing could call its own.

This example is a highly optioned, deluxe series Toronado. It is a black plate California car that was professionally restored in the original Cranberry paint and fitted with a new matching Cranberry leather interior. The cost of the restoration exceeded $50,000. Since the work, the car has only accumulated just 663 miles.

In 2009, this example was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $25,000 - $35,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the lot had been sold for the sum of $68,750 including buyer's premium.