Oldsmobile Toronado - Why it was the Most Innovative Car
Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары
1969
For 1969 the overall grill and rear bumper design was similar to '68 but with a cross hatched pattern grill and tail light lens divided into three sections. Backup lights were integrated with the tail light lens, instead of on either side of the license plate as with the '68. The Back end is squared off, having less of a fastback design, almost having small tail fins. The Ignition switch moved to steering column, part of the new ignition/steering wheel interlock system that all GM cars received in 1969.
1970
1970 was the final year of this body style for the Toronado as GM did away with the hideaway headlight idea that debuted on the 1966 model.
Headlights were mounted within the grill, and front parking/signal lights are 3 vertical strips beside headlights. The vertical theme was prominent on the newly designed outer edges of the front bumper. Rear tail lights were similar to 1969, but rear marker lights are now rectangular and integrated to the side of the rear bumper.
1971
The Toronado was redesigned for 1971. It also began the second generation of the Toronado and resembled the previous generation Cadillac Eldorado from 1967 thru 1970 especially in profile with sharp creases in body panels and more formal styling. Circular headlight lenses were paired in a rectangular bezel. Upper or supplemental brake lights were added below back window. The deck lid was recessed to emphasize the lights when viewed from the rear. Louvers in the top surface of the deck lid were part of a new ventilation system, and would only appear in this location for one year. Inside, a new instrument panel was identical to the one used in other full-size Oldsmobiles. An attractive brushed metal insert was unique to the Toronado, other Oldsmobiles used a simulated woodgrain.
1972
Changes were minimal for 1972. Front grilles received new vertical grille bars, and black rubber bumper rub strips appeared to cushion minor parking lot impacts. Chrome body side molding was available for the first time as an option to reduce door dings, and the deck lid lost the ventilation louvers.
1973
For 1973, revisions were made to the front bumper to meet government 5 mph impact requirements. Small grilles were now mounted on the top bumper surface, just below the headlights which were now set in individual chrome bezels. Front turn signals were taller than before, and a new Oldsmobile Rocket emblem with winged bezel was mounted at the center of the hood. From the rear, the taillights were now vertical in the ends of the rear quarter panels, looking like the 1967 thru 1970 Eldorado.
1974
For 1974, color-keyed bumper rub strips were one of the most noticeable external changes. The area of the hood above the front bumper received a small grille opening with three horizontal bars. Above the 3 bars, TORONADO was spelled out evenly across this central area. Inside, a new 'linear' instrument panel was introduced. The instrument panel featured simulated woodgrain for the first time during this series, and a digital clock was also included.
1975
The 1975 Toronado went to body colored coordinated vertical rub strips at the rear, and horizontal taillights. All Toronados had opera windows, a common element in a luxury car for the time. All models had color coordinated steering wheels.
1976
Very few changes were made to the 1976 Toronado. A trunk lock cover with Toronado "T" crest appeared.
1977
Many styling revisions happened for 1977. A new front bumper was provided, the parking lights were moved under the headlights. A taller egg crate pattern grille with four rows appeared in the center of the hood. Small Toronado "T" crest emblems were mounted on the forward edge of the front fenders, and illuminated when either parking or headlights were on. A smaller 403 V8 engine with electronic spark timing was the only offering for '77.
1978
Toronado was in its final year as a full size car. The front grille was updated to have vertical bars. All Toronados had pillowed seating but there was optional pillowed leather seating surfaces offered in three colors: black, camel, or carmine. AM/FM radio became standard. This was the last year for the '71 vintage style, and maked the last time Toronados would be produced in Lansing.
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Bought a 1969 Toronado. I was amazed at the 'technology' it had for its time... Front wheel drive. 455 big block. 6 way power seat. Electric windows & locks. LOTS of legroom, front AND back. Power antennae. Speedo was on a drum behind a fixed line on dash glass AND the drum would keep turning past the 140mph drum mark until the zero line was 150mph. Hidden headlights. Great looking grill & body. Very comfortable ride.
My dad bought a used 66 or 67 in 1972 I was 9 years old, it was one of the most beautiful cars we ever owned, I loved that car.
My parents owned a 1968 Oldsmobile Tornado in deep blue. I was only three years old when they got it but it stayed in our family for many, many years. I sure do miss that car! One of a kind...
My neighbors bought a 71 Toronado, I thought that the flat floor & the brake lights under the rear window were so cool!!! They kept it for years then traded it in for a 77 Seville!!! Thanks for sharing another exciting video!!! 👍👍🙂
Hey! The Toronado continued into the 90s! I wanted to see that bit as my grandparents bought a 1980 from a friend of theirs when I was younger. Not an exceptional car, but a comfy road cruiser that still retained some semblance of GM luxury and quality before they decided to run everything into the ground by 1990.
@Jag-leaper
Жыл бұрын
I would say GM ran everything into the ground by 1978 And started to emerge by 1990
@mikeweizer3149
Жыл бұрын
@@Jag-leaper The federal government ran the Auto industry into the ground by 1978!.were Ford and Chrysler any better!!!.
My grandmother owned two, a 1972 white with black vinyl full top and a maroon 1976 Brougham with white vinyl half top. I remember riding in the 76 as a little boy being born a bicentennial baby riding in a bicentennial car! As my grandfather would say, no car rode like the Toronado.
I had a 76. Last year of the 455. Pillow seats. Most comfortable and best riding car I’d ever been in. Like driving your living room couch down the road. Loved that car.
The first gen Toronado was a great looking car. Every year was different, but similar. I'd love to have any of the first gen cars
I have a 74 .. it’s a pleasure to drive 😊..
@johnrusso4068
4 ай бұрын
I have a 78 I need a motor for it I never drove it I picked it up at the Nashville Tennessee police auction back in 2017 I hope to put it on the road this year
Amongst the best cars ever made. Dad had a 72 and a 76. I had a 78XS, two 83's and an 84 XSC Caliente.
Had a 1966, 1971, & 1980 model Toronados! They were all superb vehicles to maintain & drive!
The 66 is still by far the most beautiful and one of the most beautiful cars GM ever produced. It seems like as the years went on each Toronado got less special
1969 was my favorite
I've owned six of the GMC motorhomes that have the 455 or 403 Olds Toronado front wheel drive train. I'm supposed to be getting a '77 Toronado tomorrow. Happy Father's Day to me. Vroom, vroom.
I always wanted one. I like this video because it shows the differences from year to year.
The first generation, namely the 1966 and 1967 models, are remembered the most and are the most admired. These wonderful automobiles were the pinnacle for automobile styling of the 20th century in my opinion. They were only rivalled by the 1967 and 1968 Cadillac Eldorado, which was also drop dead gorgeous. Both of these two FWD masterpieces of technology and styling will always be remembered fondly. I have driven both, the 1966 Olds Toronado and a 1968 Cadillac Eldorado. They each had their own distinct personalities, with Eldorado being most definitely more softly sprung than its Oldsmobile cousin. I hope to soon find a 1968 Eldorado in mint condition to purchase and cherish.
The 66 and 70 are my favorite Toronados.
Thanks for posting- I love the whole history of the Toronado. Even as a Ford & Mopar guy, the Toronado is a favorite.... I plan to own one someday!!!
What no mention at all of the fish tank, wrap-around rear glass on the 77? It was the single most bizarre styling feature of the entire run of full sized Toronado's. It's insane how they simply HAD to change it every year, and in almost every case made the original of these two body styles worse each revision. The original 66 did indeed start it all and was absolutely stunning. Fun story: I went test drive a private sale 67 and the guy SERIOUSLY asked if I "knew how to drive a Front Wheel Drive car" (when I arrived with y girlfriend's mom's Eldorado) - he further said he didn't let his wife drive it because she didn't know "how to drive a front wheel drive car" I thought he was screwing with me, but he was dead serious. WTF? Other than when you got front wheel spin, the steering was so heavily boosted on this and the Eldo's, other than driving it like the Pikes Peak racer in the beginning of this video it was completely transparent and drove like any other land yacht of the time.
@chadportenga7858
7 ай бұрын
I remember when front wheel drive first became the norm in cars (late 70s) and driving on ice & snow was a new learning experience for everyone. There was no "drifting" to power your way through an icy curve. If the traction broke on the front wheel drive tires, you basically followed the momentum into whatever was waiting on the outside of the curve.
I grew up with two... My dad got a new '67 in that peacock blue/turquoise color... a year later, he bought my mom a used '66 in a similar turquoise green color.
My grandfather owned a couple of them - primarily because of the front wheel drive. His driveway was down a hill to the under-the-house garage and he needed the traction to get up the hill in winter weather. He drove his last one into the 80s, when he upgraded to a Caddy Sedan DeVille.
I know all about these beautiful luxury cars. In the 70s and 80s my Parents bought 4 new Toronados loaded. That tells you how much they liked em and I was a boy growing up in the 70s and finally 80s. It was grand then. God how I hate the 21 century culture and cars.
that '75 Old Toronado Baby Blue is the one i had - only difference my roof was full vinyl - what a car - what a ride - i sure do miss that car
My father bought a new 1967 Toronado and he loved it. It was fast and beautiful, and you couldn’t beat the legroom. The front wheel drive did have a lot of torque steer, and if you attempted to take off fast, it would try to rip the steering wheel out of your hands. He lived in Minnesota and the front wheel drive really did give the car amazing traction and drivability in snow, he always drove it daily, and he never got stuck in winter. The downside was that within a few years the car had rusted to the point that the chassis was ruined.
They forgot to mention the cool rear window glass for 1977.
Do the 86. My mom bought one so us 3 boys could have something sports oriented for prom. The sunroof and the radio blew everyone away! Of course I was going against a ,1986 maxima, and everyone still loved the tornado!
The main thing I love about the Tornado was the Unitized Power Package. How the gears of the transmission run along the left lower side of the engine, and a belt hooks to the shift bar from the crankshaft. I might have that wrong, but I'd like to either see it return or use it for one of my designs.
@PJAvenger
Жыл бұрын
Are you saying that the interstates were built as a defense system for Americans to move tanks all over the place?
@michaelcesco2970
6 ай бұрын
The Toronado was fantastic and ahead of its time. I think it was phased out because GM felt threatened that it would outdo Cadillac . But if you found one today, run with your checkbook ! It won't be around long !
Very cool ! I always liked these cars as a kid, going back to when i was 9 in '66 but didn't know much about the evolution and specifics. Well done !! What i do remember was reading my Dad's Readers Digest issue in '66 and this car had just tore up Pikes Peak, i believe setting a record. That 'live' shot was probably from that occasion. I dug all the versions but think they got it 'right' the first time. Car was a beast !!! Thanx for the vid !!
Personal 66 Oldsmobile Tornado luxury
For 1971 Oldsmobile inherited the basic 67 - 70 Eldorado body design which Cadillac was re-styling for the 1971 Eldorado.
I remember that as an adolescent I was impressed by the “it pulls you rather pushes you around corners”. But I also knew that the later softer suspension ruined the potential. It was a car to show off.
Good video, enjoyed. Legendary Oldsmobiles!
Fantastic! I enjoyed the video and that was effort put in this video. I smiled watching the video. Thank you for the effort and the video. That was some great footage and photos as well. Great information. It would have been nice to see Toronado thorough until its end in 1992. The video again was fantastic and appreciated.
DAD HAD A 66 67 and 72. My brother and I had a 68 and 69. Red, blue green ,brown the greatest
Would love to have a 70 GT. Tornado with a 400 HP & Floor shifter and console. Very rare.
Excellent.
Love the 67 and 68, what beautiful cars👍👍
Great stuff!
I have a '66 Deluxe. Other than front disc brakes and some maintenance parts she's original and unrestored. I plan on being buried in that car.
I have a very clean 1978 Toronado
I have Toronado XS 1977😊😊😊
Im a proud owner of a Champagne Mist S Code Toronado i got it with 35k original miles and i love it
Some early 70s Toronados had air bags. Also those year models had brake lights between the deck lid and the bottom of the rear window. Those cars were rear ended less so that’s why we now have the 3rd center brake light
you didn't mention that in 1975 they moved to square headlights. that was a big deal at the time as most GM cars were making that change. We had a 73 and we got a 75 specifically for the square headlights
Always loved the Tornado!
Great video! I'm really enjoying your videos. I know someone that had a 75 Old Toronado, it ride and drove like a cloud. Have you thought about doing a video on the history of the Impala SS?
Muito legal esse carro Boca! Grande abraço
The GMC motorhome used the Oldsmobile toronado's powertrain.
"Sales dropped in 1967 due to the Cadillac Fleetwood"??? Does this channel know anything about cars? The Cadillac competitor to the Toro in 1967 was quite obviously the Eldorado that was based upon the same frame and front wheel drive design.
@puebespuebes8589
Жыл бұрын
Yes, i mean the Fleetwood was not even a coupe
@rulz273
Жыл бұрын
Remember. Its cadillac. Any caddy model with drop the model below it. As grandfather said.
@rulz273
Жыл бұрын
@@stevenroche9874 Oh yeah. Cause olds is a brand to test any experimental features in GM lineup.
@markaustin4370
Жыл бұрын
Agree this channel sends bad info bad grammar and bad pronunciation all the time Latest was the Plymouth Val eye ant I ate some Eye tal yan food in my val eye ant while driving to eye rack If course the Eldo stole tornado sales It was iconic!!!
@markaustin4370
Жыл бұрын
Is called egg crate
The trunk louvers on the '71 tended to asphyxiate the passengers at idle, so they got rid of them.
wow thankyou🌷🌷🌷🥰🥰🥰
One of my oncles owned one in 1972 and as twelve years old boy, I thought that it was the most beautiful car in the world.
My father had 2 1966 Toronados! Burgandy wine color with matching cloth and vinyl interior! Both were same color, almost twins except for à few options different! Sorry don't have and photos but, remember riding in it and thé power of the 425 cid V8 engine! Thanks for video! Take care.
The best Toronados: 1968, 69 & 70 with the W-34.
I liked the Toronado
my moms first Fiance's dad drove a 1975 Toronado and my late maternal grandmother had two Delta 88s in the 70s a 1972 and a 1978 that my mom got her driver's license in in March 1979 then she traded it for a used 1981 Cadillac Coupe Deville then traded that for a used 1984 Buick Skylark
It's front wheel drivetrain is what makes it unique, not the chassis.
During the "senior compact" program, which included the front-engine-rear-transmision Pontiac Tempest and the first turbocharged engine offered in a production car, GM built a prototype FWD Olds F85 using the "UPP" wraparound-transmission layout that was licensed by Ford. When GM gave up on those innovative models, they had nothing to do with that FWD powertrain, so they massively upsized it and put it in a novelty coup, which could sell at enough of a premium to justify the FWD development costs, hence, the Toronado. While it didn't change the automotive landscape the way the Mini, Civic and Golf did, it gave GM valuable FWD experience which made it easier for GM to be the first domestic automaker to offer "compact" FWD cars in 1979. In fact, the unusual drive chain from the Toronado could also be found in the X-body-cars and FWD A-body-cars of the '80s and '90s.
You forgot to mention the 1977 and 1978 Toronado XS...with its hot-wire bent glass wrap around rear window.
Toronado in the 60s were beautiful with elegant curves...70s they look too boxy but cool
My uncle had one and my dad had one both 67
America at its peak.
Everybody was against the front wheel drive back then. People hated change.
They didn't say anything about wraparound rear window in '77!
EXC video, guys, THX! I never knew the Toronado was produced for 13 years. The earlier models were the best looking, IMHO. I'd go for a 66-70. 😁
1:47 I think you meant to say "the introduction of the 1967 Fleetwood Eldorado", as it was called in the early years. The 1967 Fleetwood Brougham and Fleetwood 60-Special were 6-adult-passenger, 2-bodies-in-the-trunk executive cars and not competitors to the Toronado, while the car shown looks to be a Sedan Deville, also no competitor to the Toronado.
Hi yes i have a 67 tor blue i like the 78 xrc tor with the wrap around back glass to u for got about
Way, way back in the day, my parents were friends with a GM Engineer in Detroit, and part of his benefits were that he could have any GM car he wanted for "evaluation". So he had a '69 Toronado 455 one of those times and that car was a total marshmallow. Beautiful but incredibly squishy. Perfect for Detroit roads. Why did Detroit make roads out of concrete? You've got me - seems ridiculous in a snow state with salt gravy.
@lloydandbethbeiler8127
Жыл бұрын
They made roads out of concrete for sqishy cars!😂
@PJAvenger
Жыл бұрын
@@lloydandbethbeiler8127 If you've ever driven down I-94 then you know it's paved with chiropracter's fee's.
@captlazer5509
Жыл бұрын
Eisenhower Highway Act of 1956, because they wanted highways a tank could roll on versus asphalt where tank treads can dig in. I prefer new asphalt.
@PJAvenger
Жыл бұрын
@@captlazer5509 Detroit surely made many tanks back then. And don't call me Shirley.
@captlazer5509
Жыл бұрын
@@PJAvenger Detroit steel? Love a good tank! Especially when it comes with a sofa. The highway act was also called the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act. Which the title gives away that the Army wanted a say in how it was constructed. I-94 also feels like you're on a bombing run through flak too.
An absolute unit, beautiful car. Which's design got worse and worse as time went on.
Olds was first with front drive in 66. Was first with this kind of sporty personal luxury car in front wheel drive. Cadillac followed suit with the Olds front drive placed in their Eldorado the following year.
In my opinion...Oldsmobile designers nailed it in '66. After that, the car appears less futuristic and like everything else on the road.😕
@kyle8523
Жыл бұрын
And ‘67
I have a pretty😂,67 Deluxe in Aspen green with black cloth. A fantastic car ! Handles and drives beautifully, but my ‘71 GS Riviera boat tail leaves it for dead .
The Eldorado was called for years the Fleetwood Eldorado.
I am. Selling my 67 tor now
Eldorado next!
The '66 must've been one of the widest cars in that era. Top 10? Guess the spool/slot machine speedometer never caught on.
Cool
After 1971 it was downhill for me !
Front wheel drive ? Must be quite a front rear weight ratio
@mikee2923
Жыл бұрын
The 71-78 Toronados supposedly had a habit of the back of the car coming around on slippery roads if you hit the brakes too hard. I had a 76 (probably the heaviest of all them) and drove it through all kinds of snow and ice and never had that issue. Had it out in the northeast Blizzard of 93. That thing was awesome in the snow. Loved and still miss that car to this day.
I brought a 1977 tornado it won't go in drive but will go in reverse but when I jack the front end up an crank it up the wheels will turn
I like 66 tor and 67 tor and 69 to and 72 tor and 77 tor and the special 78 tor me
Hi I have a blue 67 Olds tornado that I am selling it looks good and it still run it has low miles on it its all baby blue
It's front wheel drivetrain was it's most innovated feature, along with it's unique chassis,at least until 1979, these types of chassis are not suitable for rear independent suspension which was not easy to manage, too fragile and flimsy.
In the U.S.A. ...
So are we going to act like the 1979-1985 doesn't exist?
A great idea with sort of strange implementation. I think from day one I felt it looked too heavy with excessive bulk. It really never expressed a sense of being exceptional.
I've been rebuilding automatic transmissions 44 years and the 425 IS the best ever MADE front drive ever made 💯 TORNADO WARNING 🔧🔧🔧💣
@smoothoperator7023
Жыл бұрын
What's the warning?
A great but sad story. The car started out really great but then got worse and worse and from 1971 it was just down the drain.
No, they don't really know anything about automobile history. It's just eye candy.
👍🤝🤜🤛👏🚗🚘🚙🛻
Der einzige was mir gefällt ist der Toronado von 1966. Danach wurden die immer nur noch hässlicher.
'66 and '67 were beautiful, then they got uglier every year after that.
why add that MUSIC?? awful and loud
'66-70😍 😃 🙂 😕 😕 '71- on 🤢🤮🤮🤮🤮
@3:51: "Reassembled" - To have put together what was taken apart. "Resembled" - Something which has taken on a similar appearance to something else. Perhaps early registration and enrollment in English 101 can help! 📙 🚸! Also, what happened to the "Jetaway 707" 9-door custom-built limousine wagon from 1968-1970, the addition of quad rectangular headlights in 1975? The XSR trim with bucket seats, center console with floor shifter, wrap around rear backlite snd electrically powered T-Tops that were guaranteed to leak in 1977, the 1979-1984, 1984-1989 & 1990 - 1992 models and perhaps most significantly, the addition of the "Trofeo" trim in mid-1987, which replaced Toronado altogether before the lineup was dropped without a direct replacement after 1992, but replaced by the Platypus-inspired Aurora sedan in mid 1994 as an early 1995 model? Honestly, you should have called this a look at the "classic" Toronados before GM's downsizing began in 1979. This was a very poor job, hence the well deserved 👎.
@ThisOldCarChannel
Жыл бұрын
Oh damn! I kept listening to that part and thought that sounded off. I stand corrected. Ha!
I've owned six of the GMC motorhomes that have the 455 or 403 Olds Toronado front wheel drive train. I'm supposed to be getting a '77 Toronado tomorrow. Happy Father's Day to me. Vroom, vroom.
I had a '73 Brougham, green/green with white vinyl top, in the early '90s. Got her from the original owner's son for $950 with around 36,000 miles. Still my favorite car I've ever owned.