Vehicle Description
Some of you aren't going to understand the appeal of this 1989
Oldsmobile Toronado, but for you Oldsmobile guys and collectors,
it's a very rare find. Showing just 29,713 actual miles, it's the
last gasp for Oldsmobile's personal luxury coupe and as you'll find
out, it's still a pretty darned good car.
The styling was familiar, being the same platform on which the
downsized Buick Riviera and Cadillac Eldorado also lived, but that
shouldn't be a surprise; those three had been sharing almost since
the Toro's debut in 1966. But the Olds had a unique look that's
arguably the most appealing of the three, with cool hidden
headlights up front and a single full-width taillight in back, so
it's easy to see coming or going. The medium blue paint is probably
an older respray, possibly original, it's hard to say for sure.
There are a few signs of age, but no dents or bodywork and with so
few miles and having lived in a warm climate, it isn't a rust
bucket, either. Plastic parts like the front lower valence, bumper
fillers, and lenses are likewise in great shape, suggesting a car
that has also lived out of the elements. A single gold pinstripe
defines the car's unique kick-up behind the greenhouse, but that's
about it for extraneous ornamentation. The Olds wants to keep a low
profile.
Inside, it's typical GM luxury from the 1980s: plush bucket seats,
comfortable velour upholstery, and lots of buttons and gadgets. We
love seeing the horseshoe shifter make a comeback here and with the
benefit of hindsight, we realize that digital dashboards are just
plain cool. Remarkably, it's all working properly and the display
is bright and crisp, a hallmark of Oldsmobile's attempts to become
the "tech" division during the rebranding frenzy of the late 1980s.
As the top-of-the-line model, the Toronado received just about
every upgrade imaginable, from automatic climate control to power
locks, windows, seats, and mirrors, to a decent-sounding
AM/FM/cassette stereo system. The A/C blows cold and still uses
good old R12 refrigerant, there's almost no wear on the seats, and
even the carpets look quite fresh; someone really took care of this
car! It's also quite comfortable, so you can settle in for a road
trip, which is really the Toro's strong suit. It's even got a
good-sized trunk that's quite nicely finished.
All Toronados received GM's corporate 3800 V6, which, as the name
would imply, displaces 3.8 liters. Torquey, smooth, and remarkably
fuel efficient, these engines are legendary for their durability.
With a modicum of care, it should outlast us all. Clearly, the
first three owners have given you a good head start, because the
engine bay is quite tidy and totally original save for routine
service parts. It's worth noting that this was one of the earliest
applications of distributorless ignition technology, which every
car uses today. It starts quickly and easily, idles smoothly, and
pulls the coupe around with ease, making it very easy to live with.
The 4-speed automatic transmission was the only choice, and it,
too, is unobtrusive in its job and with a towering overdrive gear,
it's possible to get more than 25 MPG, too. The Toronado got a
fully independent suspension, too, so it's athletic and
comfortable, and yes, that's a Corvette-style transverse leaf
spring in back. 4-wheel discs and 15-inch alloy wheels with
215/70/15 radials are an appropriate look.
Clean, well-maintained, and low-mileage and low-ownership, this
Toronado is an inexpensive trip back to the '80s when interesting
cars were still available in showrooms. Call today!