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.
For consignment, a 1985 Oldsmobile Toronado Brougham 2 door hardtop
showing 32,307 miles, but the true miles are unknown. The third gen
Toronado, (1979-1985), were downsized from the previous iteration,
losing an incredible 1,000 pounds and 16 inches in length.
Exterior
In profile, the car could be mistaken for any General Motors E-body
of the time, (Eldorado and Riviera), but a look at the front
reveals a unique fascia that includes a broad, body colored crown
over a narrow grille flanked by dual headlights. The tail lights
are unique as well as they follow the contours of the decklid's
character line and present as narrow strips above the chrome
bumper. A coach lamp adorns the wide C-pillars, side molding/door
guards were still in vogue in '85, and the 15-inch wheels have wire
wheel covers and 225/70R15 tires with a late 2018 date code.
Overall the paint is faded and rough with blotches and other
imperfections, especially on the hood, bumper fillers are missing
or damaged, dent on left front fender, various dings, scuffs, and
chips throughout, and a missing bumper guard.
Interior
The inside is replete with patina as well, beginning on the door
panels which were originally elegant and well equipped back in the
day and other than some damage and wear on the driver's side,
remnants of that former glory can be seen. Plush tan cloth bucket
seats live up front and show some age but remain intact with a hole
noted in the driver's side. The back seats, configured as two
adjoined buckets, remain in very good condition. Liberal use of
plastic wood is seen on the dashboard and spills onto the steering
wheel itself. A simple, square, and easy to read instrument cluster
resides in front along with an A/C panel and the ubiquitous Delco
AM/FM/Cassette radio. The full dash and tan carpet below present in
nice condition while the headliner shows typical sag for the make
and era of the car.
Drivetrain
Driver quality conditions are found on the 5.0 liter V8 under the
hood. It has a 4-barrel carburetor and 140 horsepower, backed by a
TH325-4 4-speed automatic transmission keeping power up front, as
Toronadoes were known for, and 2.73 gears.
Undercarriage
Typical surface rust and residual oil is found underneath where the
single exhaust enters a stock style muffler that emits two tail
pipes and terminates behind the rear bumper. Power disc brakes are
found front and rear and suspension is independent at both ends
with torsion bars up front and coil springs in back.
Drive-Ability
The car runs and drives well with no noticeable engine issues. The
power seats are not working nor is the air conditioning but all
other functions do operate. While Classic Auto Mall represents that
these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we
cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of
your purchase.
If you're a child of the 80's, it's likely your parents had one of
these, or something very much like it. The Cutlass design may have
been more common with over 200,000 units produced. The Toronado was
a bit more special with just 42,000 produced in 1985.
1G3EZ57YXFE340904
1-USA
G-General Motors
3-Oldsmobile
EZ-Toronado Brougham
7-2 Door Hardtop
Y-307ci 4bbl V8
X-Check Digit
F-1985
E-Linden, NJ Assy Plant
340904-Sequential Unit Number
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