I attended the Chicago Auto Show around 1990 where they had a 66 Toronado side by side with a 1990 model. The crowd was around the 66. I mentioned to a salesman standing near the display that their marketing people should take note. He didn’t appreciate the comment!

Late 60s E-bodies are some of the sharpest machines ever put on the road, but my heart lies with the full size cars, regardless of the make (olds, Buick, or Cadillac). The massive fastback coupes like this 67 olds were the most stylish family cars out there, and even the four doors looked terrific. GM styling was on top of the world in these years.

@MarinCipollina

19 күн бұрын

You forgot Pontiac, which was,.. at least from a styling standpoint at the top of the General Motors stable. Give me a mid '60s Bonneville or Grand Prix hardop coupe any day of the week.

@thomastoler2397

18 күн бұрын

Agree with every single word!

@markriley1862

16 күн бұрын

My 1972 Buick Centurion was a 455 4 and In Two doors

@PhilRacicot

10 күн бұрын

I've owned a few Buick B body Wildcats (1965/67/68) and 3 E body 1967 Rivieras from the mid sixties and being RWD, they do share most mechanical features and they feel similar on the road too. Mechanically, a Riviera is just about the same as a '67 Electra or Wildcat. only the rear suspension is different because of the X frame but still has 4 coil springs.

That Toro is a rolling piece of sculpture. Beautiful.

That Toronado is to die for.

@John-xk1ym

20 күн бұрын

Eldorado

@smoothoperator7023

19 күн бұрын

Welllllllll.......

The 1966 Toronado is the finest exterior design in the history of Oldsmobile, and one of the best designs ever to come out of Detroit. There is not one bad line, it really is styling perfection.

This presenter continues to hold my interest and I look forward to watch his content regularly.

I always liked the Olds parking lights between 2 round headlights.

I had a 425/ 365 horse power engine in a 66 Ninety Eight. It weighed in at 4165 Lbs and had posi traction. It was so smooth and powerful, I surprised many late model smog Z-28 and Trans- Ams in the late 1970's at the red light- green light Grand Prix.

"This is a heat riser, by the way, that diverts exhaust gases over the manifold." How many shop manuals have you memorized, anyway? Your casual asides typically impart more information than other's entire videos. I never fail to be impressed. Amazing.

As far as I’m concerned you are putting out some really good videos. Lots of great content 😊

Adam, This video clearly illustrates what many of us have been saying for a long time, Oldsmobile is overdue for a comeback. Can we build one for you? 😁 In regard to future Oldsmobile videos, we are still waiting for the 1972 Cutlass Cruiser vs 1972 Vista Cruiser comparison. 😉😉

@dave1956

20 күн бұрын

GM absolutely killed Oldsmobile several years before they dropped the marque. During the 1950’s through the early 1980’s they were my favorite GM division. It all came crashing down starting with the Omega, Firenza and Cutlass Ciera. What garbage! No wonder the Japanese owned the car business.

@dankurz7675

19 күн бұрын

We’ll all be lucky if GM doesn’t go extinct in the not too distant future. Have you noticed that GM (and Ford) have effectively given up making sedans? And you are looking for Oldsmobile to be resurrected? Just what are you smoking?

@guglielmo64

19 күн бұрын

So true and don't forget the diesel garbage engines!​@@dave1956

@sgtalstrafficticketblog2452

19 күн бұрын

Olds is doubtful to ever be resurrected, that is just silliness. I see recently GM is quietly even throwing out trial balloons in media about a resurrection of Pontiac. It costs a car company $1 billion USD to bring a car off a drawing board to clay model, to preproduction mule, then production. It costs billions more to start a new brand from scratch, or bring an old one back, starting with $2.2 billion for GM to retool Hamtramck Assembly so it could exclusively make $115,000 Hummer electric trucks. It’s one thing to bring Hummer back as a flagship boutique range topping bespoke sub-brand for GMC with select electric off road models. That was a one shot deal to a pernanent death sentence if failed twice, so Hummer was a rare lucky exception. As electromobility gets underway, makers are more inclined to just keep the brands they already have if not shed off what they on’t need, which is why. So given what we once had, and what we have today, to wonder of possibilities because I too would like to have a new 98 Brougham in my garage too, who on earth other than any of us here, would buy a new Pontiac or Oldsmobile today, gas or more likely, electric? Because here’s the thing: Adam’s old cars from the 60’s and 70’s are beautiful designs, but we’ll never drive cars that look like these brand new today, perhaps ever again. Why? Some of these designs are proven dangerous to safety on the road. Because a new Olds or a Pontiac today, would have to look like one the ones they did way back then, but must now be an SUV or CUV to be a sales success today, not yesteryear. Can you imagine driving a ‘66 Toronado looking and designed to be an SUV or CUV? I don’t. How about an 88 Holiday Coupe CUV? Can you imagine what such cars would look like now? And it has now been 20 years and 15 years respectively, since we had an idea of what a modern Olds and Pontiac currently on sale, looks like, and those were cars, not light duty trucks. This is the same dynamic Cadillac is undergoing as we try to convince ourselves that a 70’s Sedan de ‘Ville looks something like a CT6. Olds and Pontiac no longer exist, because eventually their customers went to the 1990’s newly minted upmarket Japanese brands like Acura, Lexus, and Infiniti, to buy a car. And I don’t think they’ll come back for an all new Olds or Pontiac CUV now, when there’s Buick and Cadillac. And remember, Olds already had three strikes in the ‘90’s and ‘10’s with Aurora, design reboots, all new different models, blah blah blah. GM’s been wondering lately if they can even also ditch Buick, to give it to the Chinese, Great Caesar’s Ghost!! That’s what that truly looks like!!!!

@dave1956

19 күн бұрын

@@sgtalstrafficticketblog2452 We can dream, can’t we?

I'd take the Toronado any day

Thanks for the education on the Olds family of cars , nothing like this down under

As an Olds guy I appreciate this episode. Both of your examples are outstanding. A close late childhood friend owned a '67 Toronado with buckets and console. I believe it was a spring edition that was saffron yellow with a vinyl roof and similar color interior. I had the privilege to drive this car on a few occasions. The Toronado was the style leader for the Olds line in '66 and '67. The full size coupes and Cutlass line had the body sculpting that mimicked the Toronado. The blade style fenders started in '67 on full size offerings. One of my favorite full size Oldsmobiles is the Delta 88 Custom with a bucket seat interior. '69 and '70 also are desirable especially with the police package.

The 1966 Toronado is my favorite “classic” car! Absolutely beautiful!❤️❤️❤️

Absolutely Love the prayer on the dash of the 88! Both cars are true works of art and they have a great caretaker in you. Thanks for sharing these Beauties!

That Toronado is spectacular.

Two beautiful Oldsmobiles! I think they are both quite interesting, for different reasons. That Autumn Bronze on the Toronado is just perfect for that car! I think one of the reasons the Toronado had the "low-medium-high" settings is that it had power ventilation, and a flow through vent system, while the 88 did not.

@RareClassicCars

20 күн бұрын

Maybe!

I've got a '66 Toro survivor 76k, and just sold my 48k '68 98

I had the 66 poster of this car on my room door back in the day. I'm pretty sure it was this color (or it might have been a little darker). The shape was absolutely beautiful and the Riviera was another hit right out of the ballpark. Then the 67 Eldorado arrived. GM styling was absolutely at its peak during this era.

@youtubecarspottersguide1

20 күн бұрын

cool I always wanted the 66 toronado corgi toy

That 1967 Delta 88 is my dream car! 😊

Adam, your videos are wonderful! You bring the glorious automotive past back to life with your content. Glad you left the prayer sticker on the 88. It’s always good to praise the “ultimate” designer!

My step dad had a Olds 98 4 door ( 1968 or 9 ) back in the mid 70s. He bought it from a old lady with very low miles for like 300 dollars. It was mint and loaded . 455 AC ,cruise ,am fm 8 track power everything .The seats were like living room couches . It was a light yellow/tan with brown interior with some kinda fancy cloth on seats. I remember being a kid and going on long road trips in it, he loved going for weekend drives. We would end up in all kinds of places. Sometimes he would pack a tent in the trunk and we would camp out overnight. He drove that car for at least 10 years.

I’m currently laid up from a surprise appendectomy. I can’t thank you enough for your presentations. The block of information that you give for each machine helps me forget about my pain. Wonderful channel you have.

Uncle Fred had the "Delmont 88", which I have learned from watching, is the base trim. I don't remember his engine being red though, but am pretty sure it was a 425, had factory air as well. His was dark blue with the black interior. It was quite a car, it did have the crazy speed buzzer, which he loved to show off. That drivetrain sure was smooth. This car would later be replaced by a 76 88 coupe, which was not half the car of the 67 for sure.

@donk499

20 күн бұрын

I remember Aunt Marion saying: "step on it Fred" so they could show off the silly speed buzzer

@rightlanehog3151

20 күн бұрын

Somebody on KZread has a channel dedicated to the overlooked Delmont.

I love how the Toronado had single piece front and rear fenders vs the 88’s tacked on pieces to finish the fenders. That must have added to the expense of building the Toro.

@thomastoler2397

18 күн бұрын

Agreed

Love the sound of a big block in the morning. 😂😂😂

I miss cars, these are nicely styled automobiles, when GM really was the mark of excellence.

I’ve been watching your channel from the very beginning (carpenter who complains about directional veneer here) I’ve been into old cars as long as you have (I think we’re the same age). I love learning little snippets in every video. I’m even happier to see a car I didn’t know you had. Sweet 88.

I have mentioned this before on your channel. My parents bought a 1966 Toro new. Funny as you were discussing the details of the exterior design, such as the shape of the wheel arches etc. I had flashbacks of the many hours I spent washing and waxing that thing by hand, as a teen. Thanks for the memories. I always loved that car. And as I have mentioned before, I took my driving test in the thing. So there is a connection through that as well.

Adam, another EXCELLANT video! Back then I actually picked the Olds 98, it rode the best of them as it's wheel base was longer than than the the two. It also seemed wider inside than the Toronado. (I also probably did not want to pay the extra money.) I would still make that choice today. I would be curious what the inside width was comparing the 88 versus the Toronado with the wider wheel wells. I regret trading it in after 3 years, but that was what we did then. I really enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work.

@thomastoler2397

18 күн бұрын

I loved the grille on the ‘67 98

My local community college trades program had a 67 Toronado as one of the 'practice' cars, donated new from GM. By 1980 when I went through the program it was rough due to poor storage, extensive mechanical dismantling, practice & demonstration body and interior work, with many missing small parts, despite having less than 500 miles since new. The drive train was mounted to a cart for access for students. The one other donated new, dismantled car's drive train was in overhead storage, and no longer available to students. The body, what was left of it, was in maintenance storage to prevent further cannibalism. That car? A 1968 KR 500 428/auto Shelby Mustang convertible ! Donated by the General Tire Co, who did the fiberglass parts. Same kind of condition & mileage. I heard it was sold for $5k in the mid 80's, after getting permission from GT. The Toronado may have had to be scrapped because it was donated special use, and without a real title.

@mattskustomkreations

20 күн бұрын

Man, that hurts.

The Toronado wins hands down all the time, what a beautiful car!

There were suspension differences between the 66 and 67 Toronados. GM softened the suspension in 67 likely due to criticisms of the harsh ride. The car mags of the time decried this change complaining that the car had lost its (relatively) sharp handling and therefore its character. One could buy the platform mates, they said, if one wanted cushy.

@Primus54

20 күн бұрын

It was a different era when cars that could pull a lateral “g” above 0.7 were considered great handlers, but definitely not cushy rides.

Best car I ever had was a '76 Delta 88 Royale. 4 door with sedan post. 350 4 bbl, I kept track of milage, car did about 19mpg. Uneaded gas. Had power windows, air, cruise conmtrol. A great ride, powerful and economical on gas! I kept track of milage, car did about 19mpg. Only had 225k miles on it and IT GOT HIT! WHAAAA!

I've had my 1967 Olds Delta 88 4 door hardtop for 42 years now. The "Barbell" hood design lends itself well for the installation of Chevy cowl induction. It looks natural. I've also dechromed the body so the wheel flares are now more visible. The Tahoe Turquoise metallic paint absolutely gleams in the sunlight and reflects the road.

The first two model years of the Toronado were arguably the best looking of all the Toronados, inside and outside. I remember a 1967 Olds Delta 88 in light blue and a 1968 Delta 88 in a dark green color where I lived as a youngster. On the 88, I preferred the 1968 model, though the '67 is quite nice in that gold color. As for the 98s, again, I prefer the 1968 model to the 1967, especially in 2dr.

I love both cars. I currently have a '71 Toronado and is a joy to drive. Growing up, my family had a '72 Delta 88 4 door sedan. That was an awesome car as well. Sure wish I could find one again 😢

Wow. I thought that only higher-output engines featured the Switch-Pitch. If these were standard with all Turbo Hydramatics, it's puzzling that they would discontinue this feature allegedly because of "excessive production costs". You could get the Starfire option on the Delta Customs which included a 375 horsepower 425 carried over from the previous-yeared Starfires. I would love nothing more than to see the results of a road test between a Starfire Delta and a Toronado. Too bad that the Starfire's roofline with the concave rear window was also discontinued

It was the same in the ‘90s. The Delta 88 (h-body) was about 10k less expensive than the Aurora (cousin to the Riviera like the Toronado).

the 88 kinda reminds me of our Gardner's old Buick Wildcat, worked for us in the 70s, that thing was clean. cept his Wildcat was kind of a dark brown metallic, white interior. but overall style very similar! ☮

The Toronado looks fast while sitting still.

I've ridden in both cars. For shorter trips and, for style, the Toronado is the way to go. If I had to go across the country though, I'd choose the better riding 88. If the Toronado were mine, I'd put in Vintage Air. Here in Connecticut, air conditioning is a must.

Your Tornado is fabulous. I would have to add AC living here in Georgia. It gets hot and humid here and I am oldish and spoiled I recon.

Thanx Adam for another great video!

My older brother’s first car was a 67 Delmont. I was 4 or 5, but remember that big brown beast with the roundest wheel wells I’ve ever seen.

Very, very nice 88 also. Love that sticker on the dash.

The side profile of the Oldsmobiles was also a unique styling feature to achieve a family look. The Toronado sounds great. Leave it as is. 👍

Adam, I must confess that I thought you were going to have the two cars do the 1/4 mile because of the "Rocket-Fast" in the title. They are both beautiful cars.

@61rampy65

20 күн бұрын

I thought the same thing, but I just don't see Adam as the type to be a drag racer. I'm pretty sure the Toro would kick the 88 in the butt.

@jetsons101

20 күн бұрын

@@61rampy65 That's kind of a understatement.... LOL Back to the BBQ

Well done Adam. Love to see you're beautiful, smooth running Oldsmobiles!

I absolutely love your Toronado !

The approximate $1500 base price difference between the Delta 88 and the Tornado was the difference between middle or upper class affordability . You could buy a house for 15k at that time so $5500 before you started checking option boxes on the order form was not affordable for most families . All 3 vehicles were status and image oriented . How GM's brass kept referring to a "special Oldsmobile" during the initial engineering phase means just that. Fantastic designs all of them but Tornado was just a cut above the other 2. Riviera being the rear wheel drive version what a engineering challenge to develop that platform for front and rear wheel drivetrains. A testament to GM's wealth and talent at the time.

Great video. End of spring. Sunshine. Birds chirping. Gorgeous Oldsmobiles. It's your own personal car show. Only thing missing are corndogs.

Interesting that my 1967 Bimini Blue Toronado deluxe had the same steering wheel as your 1966 not the 3-spoke that you showed for the 1967 interior. Also, I seem to remember the 425 cid engine was SAE rated at 375 hp not 385 as you quoted. I bought mine as a 1-year-old used car at our Olds-Cadillac dealer. Never understood why one would order bucket seats without a console with a flat FWD floor. No mechanics other than the Olds dealer would touch it, even getting someone to spin balance the front wheels was an impossibility. My greatest day was trading it in on a new gorgeous 1969 Thunderbird coupe.

@thomastoler2397

18 күн бұрын

They wanted a bench seat to emphasize that flat floor pan, since it was such a novelty then. They wanted the best form of advertising, “word of mouth”, that owners/passengers could give about all the extra room given by the flat floorpan.

Beautiful cars absolutely beautiful

As the Toronado was the one and only front-wheel-drive American cars of its time, every once in a while you’d see snow tires on the rear.

@mattskustomkreations

20 күн бұрын

…Not the one and only. Starting in 1967 the El Dorado was also front wheel drive.

@drift3rkid66

20 күн бұрын

Yeah, then the Riveria in '79

A great comparison, thanks Adam! We love reminiscing with these old beauties.

The 1966 Toronado combines two things so well in it's styling that cannot be replicated by todays automotive designers.... It's both brutish and delicate at the same time, just so impressive.

my favourite is toronado but delta 88 seems longer both nice. i know someone who has delmont 88 4 door.

@timgibson3754

20 күн бұрын

Everything looks longer with that camera

I love that dashboard sticker! Amen!

The ‘66 Toronado was the best looking version.

I had this Delta as a 4-door, same color, in college in the 1980’s. The mileage was such that it used to be cheaper to take the Greyhound the 70 miles to school than it was to drive the car! Fun car though.

This red 1966 Colorado is fantastic indeed!

I know it’s only a matter of time, but I’m patiently waiting for a 66 delta 88 video, I have a Holliday coupe, Great comparison!

The steering wheel alone on the 66 Toronado would sell me on it. Too bad it was just the one year.

The F85/Cutlass shared that headlight theme, with the turn signal between the high and low beam bulbs, with the '67 full size Oldsmobiles.

I didn't realise how big the 88 was compared to the Toronado

Thank you for making and sharing this video. I like both of these cars and love the "knife - edge" front fenders on each car!!!

That 88 has those fender/quarter panel end caps on all four corners. It really jumps out in comparison with the Toronado. The smooth unbroken line of the Toronado front quarter panels is beautiful. Allows the “lead in” that you mentioned to be a real feature line.

I love the Delta 88 a friend had one what a beautiful car I spent many lunch outings with my friends in High School in this great car so much more comfortable , faster and better A/C too. Than my nice looking but lowly 66 Ford Mustang I loved my Car but knew Luxury and quality when I saw it boy those cars featured today are so beautiful todays cars no matter the price !!!!!!! cannot touch their beauty and class period ❤❤❤❤ Thank you

Thank you Adam. Thank you Adam. I liked that Toronado sterring wheel from 1966. I think I saw it in a 1966 Ninety Eight also. There aspects of that 1966 Toronado you see on my 1992 Toronado. The 1966 Toronado influenced the other Oldsmobiles in the line from 1967-1970. I liked the split grille theme as it worked for Oldsmobile. Buicks in 2024 have an Oldsmobile Aurora like front end. The headlight theme came back in the 1980's on the Oldsmobile Firenza. Pontiac used it for a while in the late 1970's and early 1980's. The basic shape of that instrumentation was used on 1977-1990 fullsized Oldsmobiles.

When you mentioned the barbell theme, I saw 80’s Camaro-like headlamp style. 🤷🏻 Also, another Cord theme was hidden head lamps.😎

66 Toronado styling over a 67 Toronado. 👍

@jeffrobodine8579

19 күн бұрын

I take what comes along for the right price. Can't be too picky when you come across one in nice shape.

My dad switched from Pontiac to Olds in 67 and bought a new big olds every second year through 79 88’s through 73 and 98’s from 75 on). I found the 67 88 (a fast back delta like this one) a bit awkward with wheels that were too inset to the body and way too much front overhang. The 69 (also a two door) was better looking but nothing special. The 71 88 was a looker but he complained about the cheap dash and body jiggles. 73 was similar but ugly bumpers and better ride. The 75 98 regency was a gold looking car with those super plush seats. The 77 and 79 were twins and excellent but bland cars. Each car was slower than the previous one starting in 71 (all 4bbl’s 425 then 455 till the 403’s in 77-79. Then he switched to Caddy for 81, a front drive Seville with the 6/8/4 368 engine which he never had issue but he hated the front drive. The worst of the bunch was the 83 with that boat anchor 4.1. It blew a head gasket in the first year and he never bought a GM again.

The standard Oldsmobiles of the mid-60s were good looking cars but nothing that special . The Toronado, on the other hand, looked like something from the future, really in a class of its own.

summer means fun! bring out the rare and classics and get on down Woodward!

I really enjoy your videos and the depth of detail you provide!

thanks for posting always looking forward to the next one.

Worked with a guy who had the '67 Holiday 88 coupe. Same engine>>2bbl.

Both cars are beautiful, there was a time I would have preferred the Toronado, wish the 88 Wheels filled out the space better.

Outstanding content as usual Adam!!

Ted Kennedy had a Delmont 88.

@4af

19 күн бұрын

And when drunk, Ted drove it off a narrow bridge into a fairly shallow pond on Chappaquiddick Island in Massachusetts. The car landed on it's side with the drivers door submerged a few feet and the body of 28 year old Mary Jo Kopechne was found inside the following morning. If the car had power windows and power door locks then escape may have been impossible.

@Johnnycdrums

19 күн бұрын

@@4af He was a scumbag.

@thomastoler2397

18 күн бұрын

I never understood the frugality of the Delmont, being from such a wealthy family

@Johnnycdrums

18 күн бұрын

@@thomastoler2397Beater cars.

Great video as always Adam! Hope to have a chance to run into you at the upcoming Eyes on Design show.

One of my favorite videos to date. I always thought that the toronado was good looking. (My Mom's boss owned a new one in 1966) However I think I prefer the Delta 88 especially the interior and dash. I rode in a Delmont two door with the 425 back in high school and that car was a freaking rocket on wheels. I think Olds had the best and toughest drivetrain available in the late 60s. I also enjoyed the explanation of the wheel arches and admired the line on the toro that runs from the front of the roofline all the way to the rear of the car. You have a good eye for design. Too bad it was wasted on counting beans. Lol

Beautiful cars, thanks for preserving them.

I love the front and rear seamless stamping...no front or rear body "caps". That the Toronado had bench seating and no console was a big mistake

I had a 65 Dynamic 88 convertible. I miss that car.

Always brilliant, informative aand nostalgic.....keep these viideos coming. If you ever feel the need to cover mid 60's Ford Custom cars that would be great. My dad worked at Ford and always drove the most frugal offering they had. No power brakes, no power windows, no power steering, no radio, no A/C and if offered would have chosen the 2-rope steering mechanism. I learned to drive on this beast....great memories parallel parking it. Cheers to you and your knowledge.

I wonder how many steps it took to assemble the front bumper, there has got to be some welding involved.....

nice video. I own a 67 Delta 88 coupe, pretty loaded 425, pw, etc am looking to sell it. am in eastern Az it is a semi project car. far from perfect but, still a super nice car to drive as is or to restore. few of these remain decent body but, paint is faded maroon with black int. new upholstery, etc thanks

Great video. 👍

very comprehensive, good job.

I would consider GM cars of this era their heyday!

If I had to pick between the two, I'd go for the Holiday Coupe. I love the ride of those old rear wheel drive, full frame GM cars. The Tornado is a very pretty car though.

I would say the fender panels on the Toro were more expensive to produce because GM did them as full stampings. The 88 used finishing caps at all four corners to complete the shapes of the fenders.

Great job!

Is the dual reservoir master cylinder on the 1967 88 also aftermarket? Noted the 1966 Toronado was a single reservoir master cylinder.

@danielulz1640

20 күн бұрын

1967 was the first year for Federally mandated dual circuit brakes. Cadillac and Rambler introduced them for the 62 model year.

Hi Adam

@RareClassicCars

20 күн бұрын

Hello!

Are any new cars worthy of Campari g to the classics? I can not think of any cars that are as well styled

That wasn't a picture of a Ferrari "kammback", it was the one off, Breadvan. The kamm back is most famous on the 250 GTO but was also present on many Ferrari's of the 60's, as well as the Cobra Daytona.