1966 Oldsmobile Toronado

The Oldsmobile Toronado became the most significant of all cars released in 1966 by General Motors Corporation. It was the first front-wheel-drive American production car since the pre-war Cord 810.

The father of the project for this car was the talented engineer John Beltz. Back in 1954, General Motors engineering departments began work on creating the so-called "Unitized Power Package". However, this development was originally intended for the Cadillac division, and it took a lot of work to get it for Oldsmobile.

A working prototype of the "power package" was completed only by the beginning of 1958. It was based on a modular design that included an engine, gearbox, and front-wheel drive.

The main argument in favor of the front-wheel drive layout of a large and expensive car was the desire to offer customers something unusual, different from what competitors offered. And front-wheel drive seemed especially attractive and promising for this purpose.

In the early 1960s, the US automotive industry experienced a wave of compact car production, and General Motors, following the rear-engine Chevrolet Corvair, planned to produce the compact Oldsmobile F-85 model.

Therefore, early prototypes of front-wheel-drive Oldsmobiles ran on V-shaped six-cylinder engines connected to a four-speed Hydramatic automatic transmission.

Development

The Oldsmobile department developed a new, large (length: 211 in = 5.4 m), sports coupe, into which a "combined power package" with the corporation’s largest engine fit very well, with a volume of 425ci (7.0 liters) and a power of 385 hp (torque: 660 N/m), soon increased to 400 hp with a 455ci (7.5-liter) V8 engine.

Photo: "1966 Oldsmobile Toronado coupe" by sv1ambo

It is interesting to note that in those days, European front-wheel-drive cars had an engine displacement of 1.5 liters, and the power did not exceed 60 horsepower. Nowadays, it is generally accepted that a front-wheel-drive car can efficiently handle up to 300 hp maximum, but the Toronado somehow managed 400 hp.

Among the design features of the "power package," it should also be noted that the torque from the engine was transmitted back to the torque converter, and then, through a 50-mm-wide toothed chain, forward to the three-speed automatic transmission "Turbo-Hydra-Matic," located to the left of the engine, and further, through the main gear and differential, to the axle shafts of the front wheels.

Presentation and Advertisement

The car was presented to the public on July 29, 1965, and entered dealer showrooms on September 24. In 1966, the American magazine Motor Trend named the Oldsmobile Toronado "Car of the Year".

The car got its name from one of Chevrolet's concepts, the Toronado, which was derived from the words Toro ("Bull") and Tornado. The coupe reached speeds of up to 137 mph (220 kph), and thanks to the front-wheel drive layout, it handled well. In 1968, the Toronado won the Pikes Peak race, a high-speed hill climb.

In the advertisement, the Toronado was presented under the slogan "Only from Olds, a car like this!" The car sold well, although many buyers did not pay attention to the technical innovations of the Toronado, but the striking design attracted many.

Photo: "1966 Oldsmobile Toronado" by aldenjewell

Unfortunately, even such bright stars are setting. After several modernizations carried out during difficult economic times, the Toronado was considerably smaller and was also unified with the Cadillac Eldorado and Buick Riviera. Appearance has also become average! In addition, after a short time, front-wheel-drive ceased to be an innovation and was exotic.

The Toronado finally left the scene in the early 1990s, but it was a completely different car, in no way reminiscent of the luxury coupe of the 1960s!

How Much is a 1966-1967 Toronado Worth Today?

Now, I know what you're thinking - vintage cars must cost an arm and a leg. But fear not, my fellow car enthusiasts, because the 1966-67 Oldsmobile Toronado is surprisingly affordable. With a price range that won't leave you selling your firstborn child, you can finally fulfill your dreams of owning a piece of automotive history.

Well, let me consult my trusty crystal ball... Just kidding! But seriously, let me tell you that a 1966-67 Toronado in good condition could be worth anywhere from $5,000 to $60,000, depending on factors like mileage, restoration, and demand.

Of course, if it's been sitting in your backyard for the past 20 years growing weeds, well, you might not even be able to give it away for free! So, go ahead and treat yourself to a ride in luxury with the 1966-67 Oldsmobile Toronado. Who knows, you might just become the envy of every car lover on the block.