I’m not occupied with beginning a debate concerning the first personal-luxury automobile, although I open to solutions that the Ford Thunderbird—in all probability the second-generation—was it. I do wish to name out among the best examples of the breed, nevertheless, and that’s the Oldsmobile Toronado.
New for 1966, the massive front-wheel drive coupe was decidedly masculine—one thing supported in early promoting for the automobile—in addition to quick, luxurious, and clearly costly. For ’66, the Olds 98 Vacation Hardtop Coupe began at $4165, whereas the all-new Toro began at an enormous $4617 (that’s $44,500 in 2024 {dollars}). Not solely had Oldsmobile entered a brand new market phase with the Toro, it had additionally launched a brand new flagship.
As may be anticipated—through the massive coupe’s run—the Toronado was all the time accessible with the biggest engine accessible to Oldsmobile prospects. And, as famous above, the Toronado was all the time outfitted with front-wheel drive. At launch, the Toro was the primary front-drive American-brand automobile because the Twine 810 and 812 have been discontinued in 1937.
The Toronado was a part of the Olds lineup between 1966 and 1992, and adjusted dramatically every time it was redesigned. A fast recap of all 4 generations of the Olds flagship:
First Technology: 1966-1970
Size (inches): 211-215
Weight (kilos): 4500
Ideas: Absolute design perfection.
Second Technology: 1971-1978
Size (inches): 220
Weight (kilos): 4800
Ideas: Chubby. Sportiness gone.
Third Technology: 1979-1985
Size (inches): 204
Weight (kilos): 3800
Ideas: Spot-on good design for the day.
Fourth Technology: 1986-1992
Size (inches): 188-200
Weight (kilos): 3300
Ideas: Regarded like a puffed-up Cutlass Calais. Mistake.
It’s value noting that, although dramatically downsized, the third-generation Toronado was, by far, the best-selling model of the automobile. With its edgy, purposeful creases, and bulldoggish sense of substance, the 1979-1985 Toros hit the market in precisely the proper manner, with a design conveying each effectivity and broad-shouldered luxurious.
The fourth-generation Toros have been a letdown. Additional downsized, the final Toros seemed an excessive amount of like smaller automobiles within the Olds lineup, but value dramatically extra. Additional, a V8 engine was now not supplied, which was a disappointment to many returning prospects.
Collected listed here are ten traditional Toronado print advertisements. And when you’ve got a favourite mannequin 12 months or era of Oldsmobile’s traditional personal-luxury automobile, inform us about it. The place to depart feedback is down beneath.
Oldsmobile Toronado: Basic Automobile Advertisements
1966 Toronado
1968 Toronado
1970 Toronado
1972 Toronado
1974 Toronado
1977 Toronado
1980 Toronado
1982 Toronado
1987 Toronado
1991 Toronado
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Oldsmobile Toronado Photos
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