I love, love the cars of the 70's .. this is when I remembered the cars coming out and the model changes every year. I'm not 60 , so in 78 I was 14 and got loving cars when I was 10 or younger. I so much a car nut, I will beg my father to go out on Sundays to dealerships , so I can look at the new cars. I could named every car make and model on the road at a young age.. my entire life was about cars ...that is basically all I thought about it and talked about to my childhood friends. I even recorded car commericals, collected brochures and would ride my bike to a street to watch the cars drive by - looking to see if I could see any new models cars , such as the 76's , 77's, 78's, 79 's before I got my license in 1980 in my mother's Buick. I lived in a rural area but was near a suburb... but lived in a country style neighborhood wherein I had to ride my bike to see any cars on a road etc. I never sold cars in my life but always knew more than the salespeople knew when I was buying my cars. I did work as a lot boy at a new car dealership when I was 19 and was a full time rustproofer at various new car dealerships when I was 20-21. I could on and on ... but my point is I don't see young boys into cars like I was back in the day. I really enjoy this channel and still enjoy seeing and reading about the cars of the 70's and 80's.

Adam, We can always make time on a Saturday afternoon to discuss Oldsmobiles. Can we build one for you? 😁

The bent rear window glass version in 1978 was interesting. Hilarious that they named it the "excess" (XS).

@steveb7310

6 күн бұрын

I thought it was XSive too.

@UberLummox

6 күн бұрын

Exactly! And '73 to '78s were dumpy looking enough. That rear window looked "hot bent" in a bad way.

@Edward-tp5nc

3 күн бұрын

These were beautiful cars and ran very well. My Folks bought several.

@oi32df

3 күн бұрын

The biggest excess of this era was the Yamaha XS Eleven.

@MarinCipollina

3 күн бұрын

@@Edward-tp5nc Several 1978 Olds Toronados huh.. kind of strange..

I'm quite possibly the only 29 year old on the planet that loves this channel. Lol. I wish I grew up in the 70's .

@LeapingBlackman

6 күн бұрын

Nope. Not alone... At least for a month still

@hilleryclifford1350

6 күн бұрын

You my friend have excellent taste!✌️👍

@crankychris2

6 күн бұрын

The best part was that we bought and drove ten year old musclecars for dirt cheap.

@hunterf3

6 күн бұрын

Lmao 22 here , we exist and love this shit!

@westhavenor9513

6 күн бұрын

@@crankychris2 Yep! $500 or $600 bucks was about the going rate for these old dinosaurs in SoCal where I grew up. Now, fueling them up was another story.

Love the 1966-1967 Toronado . . . so futuristic and beautiful. After this model year it was, (in my opinion), a downward spiral!!! (Roger from Oz)

@quad5186

2 күн бұрын

And over here’s the guy who plays the sloppy drums.

I was a 'Lot Boy' at a Chev, Olds, Cadillac dealer in '77 and remember these well! I kept waiting for one with the 'power t-top' that was shown in the brochure! Thanks for the post!

I love this era of full-sized premium two-door personal cars. The 1977-78s were very handsome.

One never forgets the first time riding in a car with " poofy seats ". Mine was when I was 16 years old my girlfriend's mom took a few of us to see the movie Jaws in her 1972 Lincoln Mark IV white with white poofy seat interior. ..so comfy..🤷‍♂👍

History gold here folks, thanks Adam!

Shortly after my late mother and I moved to Houston, our family friends bought a new '77, loaded, triple black Toronado, from Sam Montgomery Rocket City Oldsmobile. Mr. Haynes was a pharmacist and Mrs. Haynes was an electrologist. The black velour interior was plush and the moonroof was magical. One weekend my mother and I rode to Dallas with Mrs Haynes and her son's. While in the left lane, about 1/3 of the way into the trip, a silver XS, driven by a man, pulls along side. I was sitting in the back with her sons and remember cranking my neck and spotting its red interior. Since I was a 14 y/o car nut, they began asking me what kind of Toro it was and I told them. It was funny because there were a couple of kids in the back, stealing glances at us, as we were doing the same. My car ❤️ wanted to suggest Mrs. Haynes to floor it, but my brain knew better. Both drivers played it cool and eventually separated. 😄 One time Mrs. Haynes let me take it to McDonald's with her son's. Man I felt like a 👑. Thanks for this video. Brings back sweet memories. 👍🏾

I’d love to have a 66-7. They’re some of the best looking cars gm ever made

Totally over the top design. This somewhat heralds back to the 1959-60 GM sedans with the optional wrap around back window. Just gorgeous!!

@kennethjosephson134

5 күн бұрын

Exactly what I thought when these were introduced. Some people immediately compared this roofline to that of my 1959 Impala Sport Sedan. I still own that Impala. The wrap around back glass continued into 1961 on a limited number of GM vehicles. It was offered by Chevrolet on the Biscayne, perhaps on Bel Airs as well. I seem to recall seeing a 1961 Cadillac with the revised wrap around back light. Could be confabulation on my part, but definitely saw it on a few 1961 Biscaynes.

Thanks Adam, for years I thought I was the only person who doesn't like leather seats.

I have only seen 3 of these. When I was working at the Buick/Oldsmobile dealership we had a customer who ordered a blue metallic ‘77 XS, trading his ‘73 Toro. A few years ago I went to an Oldsmobile show in that little town and someone still had Me Smiths car. I’m sure that Mr Smith is long gone but I was happy to see his car was still here.

Those vehicles were around 22 feet (the size of a crew cab pick up) yet they had very little rear leg room. GM hired the interior designer from a New Orleans Cat house. Those cars were definitely the era of an aging Elvis

@oi32df

3 күн бұрын

...at least they didn't block the view with their height like the monstrous 'modern' pick-ups

My uncle being a Oldsmobile man new one every 2 years. As a car loving kid I remember when he came to visit us driving that Toro. Just a gorgeous car.

George Kamp's Ninety-Eight design is breathtakingly beautiful! Bill and Dick's latter two concept sketches seem to draw from contemporary Maserati and Lagonda design, respectively.

Ii owned one of these. It was a '78, I bought it in 1983. It only had 12,000 km on it or about 8500 miles when I bought it, and it drove like a new car. The white paint had faded badly and IIRC I only paid $1500 for it. I had it repainted and drove it for a couple of years. It looked great with the new paint, and my father positively drooled over the car. I eventually sold it to him. I remember the flat floor, the excellent rear visibility, and the incredbly cramped back seat for a car that size. My dad drove the car from Alberta to Arizona many times and owned it for about 20 years.

I remember an article in the Consumer Reports Auto Guide that stated that "the replacement cost for this piece of glass is $1300!". That was in the 70s.

Loved that 77-78 Tornado.

@theodoregarcia8830

6 күн бұрын

Looks better with the waterfall grill. How great are these videos that tell you what to watch out for

The pale yellow (Bavarian Calumet Cream) Fleetwood next to your Toronado is exactly like my 1976. I have ridden in the 1977 Oldsmobile Toronado XS with the button-tuffed leather interior. It was maroon. It is, to this day, the most comfortable car seat I have ever sat upon.

I'm with you all the way on cloth-vs-leather. Good leather is nice, but it's so rare to find outside of the most expensive vehicles. The typical Chevy or Honda "optional leather" interior of the last 30+ years may as well be vinyl. Give me a nice tight velour that won't burn my ass in the summer!

@crankychris2

6 күн бұрын

leather sux in the summer heat,

@manthony225

6 күн бұрын

I had a 90s Volvo with leather. It never got sticky and I live in the south. They used high quality leather back then.

My father had a 66 Toronado what a sweet car. Just as he pulled into the dealer for a trade in the transmission went out and he didn't say a word about it.

I totally agree with you on the superior cloth! It actually out last most modern leather!!!!

First year of tornado 1966... It was definitely the best looking ever.. would have been nice to have the 455 in it. But the 425 was okay.. the car was a Hallmark of engineering .

Always enjoy any talk on Oldsmobiles, some of the best GM vehicles ever made. Great video, Adam!

Love the wraparound window!

Mr. B. Here ! 🍩☕️👀😎👍. Work for Oldsmobile, am 71 most Oldsmobile customers were very Conservative from what I remember customers loved it or hated it ! The 360 view for me was very cool ! 🍩☕️👀😎👍

Adam just nailed this weekend with his diverse assortment of videos! Keep up the great work!

These Toros were built very well. Olds pioneered FWD. by the 70s they were bullet proof cars and Olds most expensive. Loaded. Powerful. Comfortable. My Folks bought 4 of these new and had no trouble with the 73, 78, 84, and the 91 was a bit problematic with the computers as most cars were having trouble. Also the 98 Regency My Dad bought in 75. Another bullet proof luxury car. I was a kid then but I remember them well. The best. And people hated the CAFE and emissions BS.

@Edward-tp5nc

5 күн бұрын

The rest legroom was not that bad. The cloth velour was so comfortable. I hate these hard seats today.

I love these model and year spotlight videos you do. THEY ARE THE BEST. Can't wait to watch.

I like how Adam pronounced the French words, very cool

Luv luv luv the 77-78 Toronado XS. Circa 1984 I almost purchased a silver one with the green/blue striped velour interior. Have always regretted not buying that car.

Thank you Adam. Thank you for discussing the Oldsmobile Toronado. The 1977-1978 Toronado gave hints of the upcoming 1979 redesign. You can see it in the front styling and the placement of the turn signals. This generation did much better than the first because of the Cadillac Eldorado influences. The wheel opens, the fins on the rear the body shape. It worked. I was a huge fan of the 1975-1976 during this era. I recall those trim levels XS and XSR. The had the XSC in the early 1980's with bucket seats and body colored wheels. These generation shared a lot of parts with Ninety-Eight and Eighty-Eight. I agree with you about the cloth. My Toronado is cloth. My Ninety Eight is leather and I have to have the drivers seat redone too. Thank you for sharing the design sketches of the Ninety Eight and Toronado. As a owner of a 1992 Oldsmobile Toronado and 1996 Ninety Eight, I say thank you.

I had a white w/tan Landau top, and tan velour interior '77 Toronado. It was so comfortable to drive.I'm 6' and could lay across the front seat and just set the back of my head on the door's armrest. The 403 felt allot stronger than 185hp, so I guess those 325lb of torque really were needed as mine was 6000+ lbs cur weight.

'72-'78 GMC motorhome used the Toronado engine and chassis. All very cool engineering.

I agree on the cloth versus leather question ... here in Georgia, leather seats can get pretty toasty in the summer 🙂

It’s funny, back in 1977 I had a friend whose father used to let his daughter have his to play with (and screamingly increase her popularity with). It was poorly made, was dirt slow, and every time you put your foot into it, the efficiency gauge thingy swung over to max. It was a needle that pretty much loved to tell how much it gulped. 15mpg when on light foot, 7 when you max’d it. It was burgundy/ cloth burgundy. CB radio, of coarse!

Went to Lansing for the home grown Olds Centennial Celebration in 1997 and saw the XSR which Oldsmobile built one of one, believe it was white. A retractable T-Top was a great idea, but a manual or electronic sunroof really makes a lot more sense. The huge backlight on the XS Toronado always reminded me of the postwar ‘coming or going’ Studebaker, even though I born around 15 years after the Starlight was introduced.

I have 84 98 oldsmobile regency and love it get a lot of looks and thumbs up🎉

As a 12 year old kid on a bicycle gawking at a new XS, I thought it was ugly. But I do really like that sketch shown at 12:27!

In this episode. The rendering for the 98 in the design studio looks like a nearly dead ringer for the Cadillac Dream car the Voyage. And I saw this video after the Cadillac one that was on today I was correct lol love the Channel

Adam- your videos are excellent! I recall that in 1977 the automotive journalists quoted a cost of glass to the factory of $1,400 per unit! Aside from the grill designs of 1977 through 1980, I really like all of these large (and even downsized) E-Body Oldsmobile Toronados.

Remember how cool I thought the XS back light was. Still have sketches of drawings incorporating that theme. Can't recall ever seeing one in real life. Also thought how cool the upper beltline mirrored below the beltline. Hated everything in front of the front tires. 👍🏾🇺🇸

Should have used the XS rearwindow style on the 79 Toronado to give it greater distinction from the 79 Eldorado.

I have a '77 XS; also a '72, both are black on black. The design was a hand-me-down from Eldorado, which turned out to be more attractive than what Eldorado went with.

My friend Steve Plunkett has that prototype Toronado with the electric t tops and I was lucky enough to film it fully functioning when he demonstrated it for me. Impressive engineering. 👍👍

@user-pr8zn6iw5t

6 күн бұрын

Maybe Adam can do a show on it if they can meet up in the future.

@markbehr88

6 күн бұрын

@@user-pr8zn6iw5t Possibly. He is in Canada, not too far from Detroit. I filmed his wonderful collection last year.

@marko7843

4 күн бұрын

YES, please post!! 🙏

@markbehr88

4 күн бұрын

@@marko7843 I have already.

@marko7843

3 күн бұрын

@@markbehr88 okay thanks. I scrolled as far as the '69 LeSabre I guess it must be further down your list.

I think Oldsmobile should have kept the wrap around rear window and 2nd brake lights for the 79 -85 cars, it would have given them something distinctive.

Completely agree with you on the cloth interiors!!

Always thought this phase of Toronado was really handsome and remember noting the XS model in the brochure but never saw one on the streets. I actually like the huge chunky 5 MPH bumpers and find it interesting how they were incorporated into already existing models at the time.

My uncle (RIP) had a 1975 Toro as a company car. Acres of sheet metal.

@Chris_Troxler

6 күн бұрын

The '75 was my first car. Got in at 17 in 2000. Still have it.

@LongIslandMopars

6 күн бұрын

​@@Chris_Troxler Nice!

@anthonym.cardali1875

5 күн бұрын

That must have been a good job to buy a gas hog like that

@mikee2923

3 күн бұрын

@@Chris_Troxler Nice. I had a 76 I bought in about 1992 for $750. It was light blue and had the cloth pillowed seats. I drove it for about 13 years as a winter beater in the rust belt. Loved that car and wish I still had it. Most comfortable and best riding car I was ever in.

I had a 1977 Toronado. It wasn’t the XS, but it was still pretty sweet. It was maroon with white leather interior and a white vinyl top. Yet another car I let get away back in the day.

I absolutely loathed cleaning those backlights, whilst working as a "Petroleum Transfer Engineer" at the world's busiest full-service station, Vancouver's Parkview Chevron, during Expo '86.

I think by '77-'78 (the downsizing era) the Toronado was rather tired looking and interchanging many typical early to mid '70s design cliches just for the sake of model year refresh. The '79 had overall a more cohesive visual impact with more liveable dimensions. It looked 'right' for the times.

Another awesome video. Need to do a video on Gen 3 Toronados.

I remember these on the lot at our local Olds dealer. They also had one with power t-tops. They stowed one above the other in the center but the opening was pretty small.

Adam, Great posting! Thanks...

I can see it as a boxier/rectangular, less aerodynamic, and bigger version of the rear windows featured on the Boattail '71-'73 Buick Riviera/'71-'73 Buick Riviera GS 455. The rear fascia of the '77-'78 Oldsmobile Toronado XS/'77-'78 Oldsmobile Toronado has that extremely similar shape to my eyes that would also remind me of not only the window design, but the rear end fascia of the '71-'73 Buick Riviera/'71-'73 Buick Riviera GS as well (except that the bulge in the middle of the Oldsmobile was going outwards instead of inwards like in the Buick).

@djplonghead5403

6 күн бұрын

64 baracuda somehow had a larger glass window.

I remember going to our Olds dealer with my dad in 77 shopping for his new car, the Toronado was on the very short list. The Brogham was beautiful, the dealer then showed us the XS, we looked at each other wit disgust...still as hideous today as it was then.

Nice coverage of this piece of history.

I remember these when I was a kid and I thought they were cool. That rear window would cost you a small fortune if you had to replace it but the Toronado wasn't cheap to begin with. That was the main reason why a lot of buyers didn't go for the XS. The bad things about this model is that the 455 wasn't available anymore and you had to have the A/C at full blast all the time to keep from melting down if you were in the back.

Loved seeing those sketches. As always, a very interesting video.

Another great video, thanks Adam.

I always think that this was the generation where they really were thinking Cord... The "squared pontoon" affect in the fenders and the mechanically challenging blank coffin nose in the first years. I like these later ones because the hot-wire bent-glass and the addition of open grills remove some of the visual heft. (Oh, and I also laughed the first time I saw eXcesS...) 😅

Funny to see these visionary designers from the late seventies who put 20-inch wheels and more on their sketches

Toronados were not all that common in the area where I lived growing up; Eldorados and Rivieras were a bit more commonplace. Until today's video, I've never seen one in this trim level; it looks really nice in that baby blue color. Even when all of the aforementioned were downsized for 1979, the Toronados were not as common as the Cadillac or the Buick.

I LOVE THIS VIDEO REVIEW ON THE OLDS TORONADO- Great topic & fantastic sexy care, I love every version of it, but mostly these 1960s/1970s. Anything that is massively big, I love, even though I found out they were a front-drive, I still love & adore them, & I will buy them, & OMG, the interior is to die for, I go crazy, & the colors out of this world. Thanks for sharing.

Ive never seen one of these in person. Very unique

@randyfitz8310

6 күн бұрын

There used to be one in my old neighborhood always street parked. So worth gawking over every time passing that block!

@LongIslandMopars

6 күн бұрын

​@@randyfitz8310I remember these cars growing up in Queens, NY. Big boats on narrow streets. 😎

There was A kid in my neighborhood when I was growing up who’s dad liked the big fwd gm cars. He had a 71 eldo, a 74 toronado, and he had a 77 version of this. They were all rusty being the 80’s in the Midwest. I’ll never forget his 77 toro had an aftermarket 8 track stereo with a couple amps, and he always jammed to Nicole by Point Blank or 38 special’s 1st album.

A friends father bought a 76’ brand new. I remember it being a handsome car silver with a black top and interior. Yes it was leather.

Nice video Adam!

The 1971 98 design concept is stunning! Can you picture it with the Regency interior? Unbelievable!!!

The sketches are super cool

I had a 77 or 78 Tornado, can't remember..White with blue interior. A first year electronic ignition....it failed and I was able to replace back to coil ignition. Loved that car, it rode smoothly and was quiet powerful. Later, I owned a 1990 Trefio Totonado with 3800 V6...not the same experience!

@steveb7310

6 күн бұрын

My brother had a ‘77 with the very same problem. GMs first attempt at computerized engine control. I put the HEI system on it and it ran much better.

@moejr1974

6 күн бұрын

GM Electronic ignition started in 1974/75.

@randyfitz8310

6 күн бұрын

While the HEI ignition was first offered on Corvette in 1973(/74?), these 1977 and ‘78 Toronados had a different computer controlled spark management and unique distributor.

@steveb7310

6 күн бұрын

@@randyfitz8310 exactly, and that computer control (Mizar System) was terrible.

The second sketch had a lot of GM G-Body styling. Closely resembles the redesigned 1979 Monte Carlo, Regal, Cutlass Supreme, and Grand Prix. You made a good point with the third sketch, esp the Firebird Formula. Even a bit of Aurora and last gen Riviera.

My late Uncle Keith had a beige toronado Brougham. I never got to ride in it but I imagine it was a smooth ride!

The 1937 Olds had high mounted taillights. Maybe later models also. The LeSabre show car had high mounted taillights,, many think of it as a Buick show car, was actually a GM show car

Amazing I know about the Toronado line but I have literally never seen this version before .

The first of the concepts shown (for the Ninety Eight) was utterly gorgeous. Another had a similar front end to my Firenza Extenza Formal Limousette.

I’ve been keeping my eyes on a couple of these. I’m just concerned they won’t fit in my garage lol

Big fan. Great Research and Video. You do a great job. Do you have any source for information about the 1979 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight XS? It was a limited production run of the Ninety Eight that was really amazing. I remember a neighbor (in Chicago) owned one when I was a kid and I'll never forget it was completely loaded. I've Googled for information but never found many details. In my memory, the '79 Ninety Eight was absolutely beautiful. I don't think it was dealer modified...I think it was factory.

At 12:15 wow that is stunning!

I did a photo shop of my mint condition copper color 1977 Thunderbird to have a wrap around rear glass like the XS, which lent itself to having this type of glass due to the slender C pillar. I think that it looks very nice on the Thunderbird and maybe better looking than on the XS. Unfortunately I can not post the picture here.

@mharris5047

2 күн бұрын

My father had a 78 Thunderbird (he traded a Dodge D-250 and some cash for it). It was a nice car as long as you weren't as large as a sumo wrestler (like I was) trying to sit in the back seat. Other than needing the bottom of the engine rebuilt at about 200K miles (it spun a rod bearing) the car was reasonably cheap to keep on the road, too. He sold it at about 290K miles and it still ran decent when he dumped it.

Wow! Can't say I ever saw one! Toronado XS

In the Philadelphia area in the 70s and 80s, the Eldorado was much more prevalent than the Toronado. Our family doctor had a '71 or '72 Toronado that was chocolate brown with a beige cloth interior. It was very problematic (numerous electrical issues) that lead him to buy a S-class Mercedes after a few years.

I had a sales brochure for '77 Oldsmobile. XS or not, these Toros were beautiful but I agree, Most of GM's full size cars look terrible without filler panels. I've only seen on XS out in the wild and sadly that was in a auto salvage yard in Anaheim, Ca. It looked sad but some of it's original majesty still shined in that roof.

1966~67 were such seminal years for Detroit's styling efforts, and yet the deck of cards fell around them, despite this. I cannot see those days returning, a little wistfully I might add.

@keeganandersson4281

5 күн бұрын

Well part of the reason for that is all the safety regulations cars have to meet today. It makes it nearly impossible to make a truly distinctive car. Also, the domestic automakers lost the trust of consumers a long time ago and therefore lost their control of the markets. They have been playing catch-up with the Japanese since the 80s

@user-en9zo2ol4z

4 күн бұрын

That is always the reason quoted, but in some things, I am bot so sure.

The 71-72's were sleek, but almost every survivor today is Bamboo Cream with brown or black interior.

I remember these, weird looking. Yes, replacing the rear glass was cost prohibitive.

there's a lot of the '88 w body Cutlass Supreme to the front of that last red sketch

@13:39 the Headlights and grill remind me of 1980's Pontiac

Nice 😀

Adam I had a 78 black exterior red leather interior sold it 3 years ago when I moved to las vegas nv

The window looks as big as the Studebaker Champions was in the early 50's.

It still amazes me how oblivious American designers were to what was coming out of Europe and Japan. They continued with bad bumper integration, enormous overhangs and little regard to panel fit. (Happy comment per Google Guidelines)

@chrisxa1222

6 күн бұрын

European and Japanese cars had even worse bumper integration. as for the overhangs they are necessary for a sleek look

A cornucopia of information on these cars, Adam, thank you! I loved the design exercises you shared. But I have to say, that red velour interior is just a bit too bordello for my taste, and the leather in these cars just didn't look real. I guess I'd go that the striped or checked velour that was available in some of these cars.

You should check out a very unknown oldsmobile for 1979, was not even in the brochure, the oldsmobile 98, regency LS edition, was dressed up like a fleetwood. Opera lamps in the middle that were fluorescent, interior trim and options found in the Cadillac, very few were made, i thought seeing one that someone messed up the badging on a paint job since there was also a base ls 98, none regency, check out the 98 regency ls sedan....

I remember a review headline at the time: "Wretched XS?"

I’d hate to have been a passenger in that back seat, not only for the exposure to the sun, but also for the lack of privacy. And I agree with you, Adam: I miss some of 5he cloth interiors of bygone days, and I HATE the fact that many makes are starting to use fake leather (no matter by what name), even in luxury cars. Someone ought to bring back the cloth-and-leather seating.

Loose cushion, dirt dirt in between. That wraparound rear window is will toast children to a crisp on a hot summer day. Unusual proportions on this Oldsmobile.