1982 Oldsmobile Toronado Brougham

Introduced in 1966, the Oldsmobile Toronado was a personal luxury car built on the GM E platform introduced by the rear-wheel-drive Buick Riviera in 1963 and modified for the front-wheel-drive 1967 Cadillac Eldorado. Over most of the Toronado's 26-year history, it would share the E platform with the Eldorado and Riviera.

In 1979, Oldsmobile introduced a substantially downsized, third generation of the Toronado, losing over 20-inches in length and dropping nearly 1,000 pounds. The smaller Oldsmobile 350 cubic-inch V8, offering 170 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, became the base engine with a 350 diesel optional. The following year, a 307 CID V8 became standard, and a 252 V6 (shared with the Buick Riviera) was optional from 1981 to 1984. During this time, a new diesel V8, based on the gasoline-powered 350 CID V8, but with added block material, was offered. Sales of this engine were initially good, offering improved fuel economy, but soon changed due to a poor mechanical reputation. Many of the diesel-equipped cars were later converted to gasoline engines.

A three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission was standard equipment from 1979 to 1981, and a four-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic 325-4L overdrive unit from 1982 to 1985. Front disc and rear drum brakes provided the stopping power, with rear disc brakes optional. A Cadillac-developed independent rear suspension improved handling over previous Toronados and helped increase trunk and rear-seat space. Along with the Eldorado and Riviera, the third-generation Toronado was the final body-on-frame, front-wheel-drive cars constructed with longitudinally-mounted eight-cylinder engines.

The Oldsmobile Toronado received a new grille in 1980, devoid of vertical dividers, now consisting solely of horizontal bars. On either side were quad rectangular headlamps and 'Toronado' in block letters reached across the upper grille panel and on the decklid. Minor changes were applied in 1981, followed by a new chrome grille in 1982 with a design similar to the previous one but with additional horizontal bars and now stretching to the fender tips. The former individual letters were replaced by a single-piece nameplate emblem. The 252 CID V6 was standard, and the 307 V8 or 350 diesel were optional. New optional accessories included a 2000 series radio with separate bass and treble controls, fade and balance controls, increased power output, and automatic loudness. A new memory seat option also joined the options list, with two memory positions on the six-way power seat.

The 1982 Oldsmobile Toronado Coupe had a base price of $14,460 for the V6 or V8, an increase of approximately $2,000 over the previous year. 42,604 examples had been produced in 1981, decreasing to 33,928 in 1982. 39,605 examples were produced a year later with a base price of $15,250.

Options included a Tempmatic air conditioning system, a Four Season air conditioner, twilight sentinel, power astroroof with sliding glass panel, and cornering lamps.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2020