Vehicle Description
1976 Oldsmobile Toronado Hardtop
The Oldsmobile Toronado was sold from 1966 through 1992. It was
built as a low-priced luxury car with excellent performance and a
revolutionary design. The name Toronado has no meaning; it was made
up for a 1963 Chevrolet show car. The American automobile
manufacturer Cord had created a vehicle in the mid-1930's that used
front-wheel drive. Since that time most American automobiles used
rear-wheel drive. The Toronado, a full-sized American car using
front wheel drive, is credited with revolutionizing and stimulating
the industry to use the front-wheel design. For the American
Automotive Community, it was a risky concept. The front-wheel
design was viewed as a reason why Cord had gone bankrupt. Many were
skeptical of having the front of the vehicle handle most of the
weight, be responsible for steering and braking, and drive the
car.
We offer you a revolutionary car with features many cars did not
even dare put into effect until years later. Front wheel drive and
the CHMSL (center high mounted brake light). This example, though
not perfect, is rarely seen on the roads today, even though it was
a very popular car in the mid 1970's. Breathe in the title verified
72,026 miles and have a read...(think excited!).
Exterior
With looks very similar to a Lincoln, and power similar to a muscle
car, the Toronado is a fine mixture of both. With its V bumper
below the matching V hood and simple horizontal built in grille, it
could be squared off (think Cord). Dual headlights in rectangular
format flank the long hood, which makes its way back to the
slightly curved around windscreen. Plenty of chrome trim resides
here bordering the windscreen, and a lighter tan Landau padded
vinyl top with an opera window, (think Continental). The sides
include long straight steel panels with good alignment,
and...chrome trim, circumnavigating the wheel wells, and rockers.
Bringing up the rear is a notched paneled trunk, where the CHMSL
lights reside along with thin vertical taillights on the sides,
(think Cadillac). All steel panels are draped in Saddle Metallic
which this writer sees as more gold than brown, but so says the
spec-man. As noted not perfect with some scratches and battle
scars, but no rust. The chromed covering on the horizontal trimming
is losing its veneer but bon rust is occurring. This car can be
shown or driven, or both, as it's a driver, and frowns upon garage
and trailer queens (think Toronado. It rides on large turbine style
wheel coverings with a flat chromed dish center all wrapped in thin
white wall 15-inch tires.
Interior
A heave of the massive door reveals an environment dyed Doeskin
vinyl. The door panels are doeskin with carpeted lowers. The
driver's door shows an area of vinyl on the armrest that is now
covered with a towel, (think quick repair?), as well as the power
window and lock controls. Big comfortable tuck and roll vinyl
doeskin colored benches, (front and back), and power adjustments
for the front, fill the front passenger compartment. A large center
armrest in matching smooth vinyl sits in the middle of the massive
bench. Stretching across the rear is another tuck and roll bench,
with plenty of room for 3 or 4 depending on size. The dash and
steering wheel are original, and utilize the mid 70's "squared off
design principle" even down to a "digital" clock. The dash is a
mixture of gold vinyl molded to fit the wood burl applique that
serves as a background for plenty of convenience controls. A black
instrument cluster fronts the original gold plastic with wood inlay
steering wheel. Gold carpeting floods the floors, and above is a
nice tight tan headliner.
Drivetrain
An original unrestored, but well maintained 455ci V8 topped by a
single 4-barrel carburetor, and attached to a THM-425 3-speed
automatic transmission. Up front a 2.73 axle turns the front tires.
All mechanicals run very smoothly, (think power)!
Undercarriage
A thorough look underneath, and we are met with lots of surface
rust, a newer exhaust system, and fuel tank. The rockers have the
surface rust, as do some of the rear trunk floorboards, however it
does not appear there are any problems structurally. Power disc
brakes upfront, and power drum brakes in the rear are noted, (Think
its solid and structurally sound). It appears as though the
driver's side floor pans have been sprayed with a black rattle can,
and then it ran out, leaving the passenger's side wanting some of
that action, however there is no rust on the floor pans under the
seating area.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter and smooth idler and runner. Bias free braking, and
smooth automatic transmission shifting. All functions were working
at the time of my test drive, save for the AC which does not have a
belt to run it, so I'm unsure if it's charged.
Combining luxury, mid 1970's design, and some muscle, this car
could be all 3 cars if you want. In fairto good condition, it can
be driven and shown, and gets quickly from point A to point B. Turn
the key and go and show, (Think Trophies).
3Y57S6M714648
3-Oldsmobile
Y-Toronado
57-Hardtop
S-455ci V8 4bbl 210hp
6-1976
M-Lansing, MI Assy Plant
714648-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
ST 76 3EY57-1976 Toronado Hardtop
BDY LAN393910-Lansing Body #
TR 64M-Doeskin Vinyl
PNT 67 64T-Saddle Metallic, Tan Vinyl Roof
01D-4th Week January Build
A65-Split Front Bench Seat
C04-1/4 Padded Vinyl Roof
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
