1967 Oldsmobile Toronado Coupe

GM's Oldsmobile Division introduced its all-new Toronado personal luxury car in the fall of 1965. Its introduction was very significant for the company, ranking (perhaps eclipsing) up there with the launch of the Hydra-Matic automatic transmission in 1940 and the release of the 1949 'Rocket' V-8 models. The Toronado was the first front-wheel drive production vehicle from General Motors and the first such American automobile produced since the Cord 810/812 of the 1930s. Among its many accolades were Motor Trend's Car of the Year for 1966.

General Motors had been experimenting with front-wheel drive since 1958 and the plan had been to use a front-wheel drive system in the F-85. However, Oldsmobile management wanted it in something more expensive and larger to offset the development costs incurred.

The Toronado came equipped with the Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmission mounted under one cylinder bank of the 425 cubic-inch V8 engine, and a chain-drive from the torque converter. Even though it weighed nearly 5,000 pounds, it offered nearly perfect weight distribution. The 375 horsepower was suitable enough to carry the Toronado to a top speed of 130 mph.

It had subframe construction, with the drivetrain and front suspension being bolted to a frame that extended only about to the firewall, the rest of the body being unitized.

This particular example is an unrestored example that has been driven just 28,100 miles. It has its numbers-matching 425/385 HP V8 engine, and an exterior that is finished in Riviera Red Metallic with a black vinyl top and interior. The car is well equipped and fitted with tinted glass, an electric clock, power antenna, air conditioning, power steering, power brakes, a lighted hull compass and a vacuum operated deck lid control mechanism.

The interior featured a dashboard that held a cylindrical speedometer that spun and a steering wheel reminiscent of an airplane. The fastback styling featured elongated flush tail lights and hidden headlights.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2016