Oldsmobile Toronado - Why it was the Most Innovative Car

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

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[@iii9266]

Bought a 1969 Toronado. I was amazed at the 'technology' it had for its time... Front wheel drive. 455 big block. 6 way power seat. Electric windows & locks. LOTS of legroom, front AND back. Power antennae. Speedo was on a drum behind a fixed line on dash glass AND the drum would keep turning past the 140mph drum mark until the zero line was 150mph. Hidden headlights. Great looking grill & body. Very comfortable ride.

[@BBFoster1906]

My parents owned a 1968 Oldsmobile Tornado in deep blue. I was only three years old when they got it but it stayed in our family for many, many years. I sure do miss that car! One of a kind...

[@markward6076]

My dad bought a used 66 or 67 in 1972 I was 9 years old, it was one of the most beautiful cars we ever owned, I loved that car.

[@justintimeflipping]

I have a 74 .. it’s a pleasure to drive 😊..

[@johnrusso4068]

I have a 78 I need a motor for it I never drove it I picked it up at the Nashville Tennessee police auction back in 2017 I hope to put it on the road this year

[@christopherkraft1327]

My neighbors bought a 71 Toronado, I thought that the flat floor & the brake lights under the rear window were so cool!!! They kept it for years then traded it in for a 77 Seville!!! Thanks for sharing another exciting video!!! 👍👍🙂

[@edwardluth7740]

I know all about these beautiful luxury cars. In the 70s and 80s my Parents bought 4 new Toronados loaded. That tells you how much they liked em and I was a boy growing up in the 70s and finally 80s. It was grand then. God how I hate the 21 century culture and cars.

[@catjudo1]

Hey! The Toronado continued into the 90s! I wanted to see that bit as my grandparents bought a 1980 from a friend of theirs when I was younger. Not an exceptional car, but a comfy road cruiser that still retained some semblance of GM luxury and quality before they decided to run everything into the ground by 1990.

[@Jag-leaper]

I would say GM ran everything into the ground by 1978 And started to emerge by 1990

[@mikeweizer3149]

@@Jag-leaper The federal government ran the Auto industry into the ground by 1978!.were Ford and Chrysler any better!!!.

[@peterlittlehorse5695]

Amongst the best cars ever made. Dad had a 72 and a 76. I had a 78XS, two 83's and an 84 XSC Caliente.

[@mikee2923]

I had a 76. Last year of the 455. Pillow seats. Most comfortable and best riding car I’d ever been in. Like driving your living room couch down the road. Loved that car.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

The first gen Toronado was a great looking car. Every year was different, but similar. I'd love to have any of the first gen cars

[@matthewharhai4039]

My grandmother owned two, a 1972 white with black vinyl full top and a maroon 1976 Brougham with white vinyl half top. I remember riding in the 76 as a little boy being born a bicentennial baby riding in a bicentennial car! As my grandfather would say, no car rode like the Toronado.

[@Mike-rk8px]

My father bought a new 1967 Toronado and he loved it. It was fast and beautiful, and you couldn’t beat the legroom. The front wheel drive did have a lot of torque steer, and if you attempted to take off fast, it would try to rip the steering wheel out of your hands. He lived in Minnesota and the front wheel drive really did give the car amazing traction and drivability in snow, he always drove it daily, and he never got stuck in winter. The downside was that within a few years the car had rusted to the point that the chassis was ruined.

[@michaelcroos4713]

I grew up with two... My dad got a new '67 in that peacock blue/turquoise color... a year later, he bought my mom a used '66 in a similar turquoise green color.

[@19chucki74]

The main thing I love about the Tornado was the Unitized Power Package. How the gears of the transmission run along the left lower side of the engine, and a belt hooks to the shift bar from the crankshaft. I might have that wrong, but I'd like to either see it return or use it for one of my designs.

[@PJAvenger]

Are you saying that the interstates were built as a defense system for Americans to move tanks all over the place?

[@michaelcesco2970]

The Toronado was fantastic and ahead of its time. I think it was phased out because GM felt threatened that it would outdo Cadillac . But if you found one today, run with your checkbook ! It won't be around long !

[@jimbosvidbits6166]

Had a 1966, 1971, & 1980 model Toronados! They were all superb vehicles to maintain & drive!

[@chadportenga7858]

My grandfather owned a couple of them - primarily because of the front wheel drive. His driveway was down a hill to the under-the-house garage and he needed the traction to get up the hill in winter weather. He drove his last one into the 80s, when he upgraded to a Caddy Sedan DeVille.

[@davidkastin4240]

The 66 and 70 are my favorite Toronados.

[@michaelminch5490]

I had a '73 Brougham, green/green with white vinyl top, in the early '90s. Got her from the original owner's son for $950 with around 36,000 miles. Still my favorite car I've ever owned.

[@WayneChurch-we5bd]

I always wanted one. I like this video because it shows the differences from year to year.

[@BlairAir]

What no mention at all of the fish tank, wrap-around rear glass on the 77? It was the single most bizarre styling feature of the entire run of full sized Toronado's. It's insane how they simply HAD to change it every year, and in almost every case made the original of these two body styles worse each revision. The original 66 did indeed start it all and was absolutely stunning. Fun story: I went test drive a private sale 67 and the guy SERIOUSLY asked if I "knew how to drive a Front Wheel Drive car" (when I arrived with y girlfriend's mom's Eldorado) - he further said he didn't let his wife drive it because she didn't know "how to drive a front wheel drive car" I thought he was screwing with me, but he was dead serious. WTF? Other than when you got front wheel spin, the steering was so heavily boosted on this and the Eldo's, other than driving it like the Pikes Peak racer in the beginning of this video it was completely transparent and drove like any other land yacht of the time.

[@chadportenga7858]

I remember when front wheel drive first became the norm in cars (late 70s) and driving on ice & snow was a new learning experience for everyone. There was no "drifting" to power your way through an icy curve. If the traction broke on the front wheel drive tires, you basically followed the momentum into whatever was waiting on the outside of the curve.

[@joshuas8258]

The 66 is still by far the most beautiful and one of the most beautiful cars GM ever produced. It seems like as the years went on each Toronado got less special

[@77gmcnut]

I've owned six of the GMC motorhomes that have the 455 or 403 Olds Toronado front wheel drive train. I'm supposed to be getting a '77 Toronado tomorrow. Happy Father's Day to me. Vroom, vroom.

[@67marlins]

Thanks for posting- I love the whole history of the Toronado. Even as a Ford & Mopar guy, the Toronado is a favorite.... I plan to own one someday!!!

[@glenkepic3208]

Very cool ! I always liked these cars as a kid, going back to when i was 9 in '66 but didn't know much about the evolution and specifics. Well done !! What i do remember was reading my Dad's Readers Digest issue in '66 and this car had just tore up Pikes Peak, i believe setting a record. That 'live' shot was probably from that occasion. I dug all the versions but think they got it 'right' the first time. Car was a beast !!! Thanx for the vid !!

[@MarkWG]

The first generation, namely the 1966 and 1967 models, are remembered the most and are the most admired. These wonderful automobiles were the pinnacle for automobile styling of the 20th century in my opinion. They were only rivalled by the 1967 and 1968 Cadillac Eldorado, which was also drop dead gorgeous. Both of these two FWD masterpieces of technology and styling will always be remembered fondly. I have driven both, the 1966 Olds Toronado and a 1968 Cadillac Eldorado. They each had their own distinct personalities, with Eldorado being most definitely more softly sprung than its Oldsmobile cousin. I hope to soon find a 1968 Eldorado in mint condition to purchase and cherish.

[@kevinhall6733]

I have a very clean 1978 Toronado

[@realfunny7]

that '75 Old Toronado Baby Blue is the one i had - only difference my roof was full vinyl - what a car - what a ride - i sure do miss that car

[@devroombagchus7460]

I remember that as an adolescent I was impressed by the “it pulls you rather pushes you around corners”. But I also knew that the later softer suspension ruined the potential. It was a car to show off.

[@shaneleach7298]

Do the 86. My mom bought one so us 3 boys could have something sports oriented for prom. The sunroof and the radio blew everyone away! Of course I was going against a ,1986 maxima, and everyone still loved the tornado!

[@OLDS98]

Fantastic! I enjoyed the video and that was effort put in this video. I smiled watching the video. Thank you for the effort and the video. That was some great footage and photos as well. Great information. It would have been nice to see Toronado thorough until its end in 1992. The video again was fantastic and appreciated.

[@davidkastin4240]

Good video, enjoyed. Legendary Oldsmobiles!

[@wilsixone]

They forgot to mention the cool rear window glass for 1977.

[@Doc1855]

Some early 70s Toronados had air bags. Also those year models had brake lights between the deck lid and the bottom of the rear window. Those cars were rear ended less so that’s why we now have the 3rd center brake light

[@MrMarkOlson]

"Sales dropped in 1967 due to the Cadillac Fleetwood"??? Does this channel know anything about cars? The Cadillac competitor to the Toro in 1967 was quite obviously the Eldorado that was based upon the same frame and front wheel drive design.

[@puebespuebes8589]

Yes, i mean the Fleetwood was not even a coupe

[@rulz273]

Remember. Its cadillac. Any caddy model with drop the model below it. As grandfather said.

[@rulz273]

@@stevenroche9874 Oh yeah. Cause olds is a brand to test any experimental features in GM lineup.

[@markaustin4370]

Agree this channel sends bad info bad grammar and bad pronunciation all the time Latest was the Plymouth Val eye ant I ate some Eye tal yan food in my val eye ant while driving to eye rack If course the Eldo stole tornado sales It was iconic!!!

[@markaustin4370]

Is called egg crate

[@jimmybiter2936]

Love the 67 and 68, what beautiful cars👍👍

[@doncappss]

It was the first car I purchased New. It also was to first care I would not service myself, when I opened the hood, I noticed the over large air cleaner and more vacuum hoses I’ve ever seen on a car. I decided I’m not comfortable in trying to work on this car. I owed it for 10 years, enjoyed driving it. It handled like a sports car it really hugged the road. The only drawback was it only got 8 mpg, it weighed 5,000 lbs on a truck scale. I still consider it to be the best car I ever owned.

[@christophercofer2192]

Im a proud owner of a Champagne Mist S Code Toronado i got it with 35k original miles and i love it

[@markhoffman9674]

My father had 2 1966 Toronados! Burgandy wine color with matching cloth and vinyl interior! Both were same color, almost twins except for à few options different! Sorry don't have and photos but, remember riding in it and thé power of the 425 cid V8 engine! Thanks for video! Take care.

[@Jerry-ok8gj]

Oldsmobile was a fantastic car!

[@derrickjackson6737]

Personal 66 Oldsmobile Tornado luxury

[@kevinwade954]

DAD HAD A 66 67 and 72. My brother and I had a 68 and 69. Red, blue green ,brown the greatest

[@fireballrobbie1744]

Would love to have a 70 GT. Tornado with a 400 HP & Floor shifter and console. Very rare.

[@raylang339]

One of my oncles owned one in 1972 and as twelve years old boy, I thought that it was the most beautiful car in the world.

[@1aikane]

1969 was my favorite

[@Edmersondohc]

Muito legal esse carro Boca! Grande abraço

[@cellpat2686]

For 1971 Oldsmobile inherited the basic 67 - 70 Eldorado body design which Cadillac was re-styling for the 1971 Eldorado.

[@johanbrand8601]

Great stuff!

[@nucleargrizzly1776]

I have a '66 Deluxe. Other than front disc brakes and some maintenance parts she's original and unrestored. I plan on being buried in that car.

[@bryantint1339]

Awesome rig.

[@donaldhenderson3495]

Great video! I'm really enjoying your videos. I know someone that had a 75 Old Toronado, it ride and drove like a cloud. Have you thought about doing a video on the history of the Impala SS?

[@fytghggyungf7601]

Always loved the Tornado!

[@joshharrison1160]

you didn't mention that in 1975 they moved to square headlights. that was a big deal at the time as most GM cars were making that change. We had a 73 and we got a 75 specifically for the square headlights

[@markst.germain9286]

The GMC motorhome used the Oldsmobile toronado's powertrain.

[@PFR1930]

America at its peak.

[@wildcolonialman]

Excellent.

[@SpockvsMcCoy]

You forgot to mention the 1977 and 1978 Toronado XS...with its hot-wire bent glass wrap around rear window.

[@courtneypuzzo2502]

my moms first Fiance's dad drove a 1975 Toronado and my late maternal grandmother had two Delta 88s in the 70s a 1972 and a 1978 that my mom got her driver's license in in March 1979 then she traded it for a used 1981 Cadillac Coupe Deville then traded that for a used 1984 Buick Skylark

[@edzeppelin]

EXC video, guys, THX! I never knew the Toronado was produced for 13 years. The earlier models were the best looking, IMHO. I'd go for a 66-70. 😁

[@AlexOlgaSanSanych]

I have Toronado XS 1977😊😊😊

[@davidbroughall3782]

The trunk louvers on the '71 tended to asphyxiate the passengers at idle, so they got rid of them.

[@abdihakeemcisman6868]

Toronado in the 60s were beautiful with elegant curves...70s they look too boxy but cool

[@bryantint1339]

Front wheel drive rules!

[@Marc816]

The best Toronados: 1968, 69 & 70 with the W-34.

[@jaypeterson7637]

In my opinion...Oldsmobile designers nailed it in '66. After that, the car appears less futuristic and like everything else on the road.😕

[@kyle8523]

And ‘67

[@timalcorn4765]

My uncle had one and my dad had one both 67

[@pcno2832]

During the "senior compact" program, which included the front-engine-rear-transmision Pontiac Tempest and the first turbocharged engine offered in a production car, GM built a prototype FWD Olds F85 using the "UPP" wraparound-transmission layout that was licensed by Ford. When GM gave up on those innovative models, they had nothing to do with that FWD powertrain, so they massively upsized it and put it in a novelty coup, which could sell at enough of a premium to justify the FWD development costs, hence, the Toronado. While it didn't change the automotive landscape the way the Mini, Civic and Golf did, it gave GM valuable FWD experience which made it easier for GM to be the first domestic automaker to offer "compact" FWD cars in 1979. In fact, the unusual drive chain from the Toronado could also be found in the X-body-cars and FWD A-body-cars of the '80s and '90s.

[@pesamas0000]

wow thankyou🌷🌷🌷🥰🥰🥰

[@stevebarker8255]

I have a pretty😂,67 Deluxe in Aspen green with black cloth. A fantastic car ! Handles and drives beautifully, but my ‘71 GS Riviera boat tail leaves it for dead .

[@WhittyPics]

I liked the Toronado

[@tonykinzy9572]

Hi yes i have a 67 tor blue i like the 78 xrc tor with the wrap around back glass to u for got about

[@mattycharles3284]

They didn't say anything about wraparound rear window in '77!

[@exptodd]

Everybody was against the front wheel drive back then. People hated change.

[@PJAvenger]

Way, way back in the day, my parents were friends with a GM Engineer in Detroit, and part of his benefits were that he could have any GM car he wanted for "evaluation". So he had a '69 Toronado 455 one of those times and that car was a total marshmallow. Beautiful but incredibly squishy. Perfect for Detroit roads. Why did Detroit make roads out of concrete? You've got me - seems ridiculous in a snow state with salt gravy.

[@lloydandbethbeiler8127]

They made roads out of concrete for sqishy cars!😂

[@PJAvenger]

@@lloydandbethbeiler8127 If you've ever driven down I-94 then you know it's paved with chiropracter's fee's.

[@captlazer5509]

Eisenhower Highway Act of 1956, because they wanted highways a tank could roll on versus asphalt where tank treads can dig in. I prefer new asphalt.

[@PJAvenger]

@@captlazer5509 Detroit surely made many tanks back then. And don't call me Shirley.

[@captlazer5509]

@@PJAvenger Detroit steel? Love a good tank! Especially when it comes with a sofa. The highway act was also called the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act. Which the title gives away that the Army wanted a say in how it was constructed. I-94 also feels like you're on a bombing run through flak too.

[@RaymondHaley-bi8lx]

It's front wheel drivetrain is what makes it unique, not the chassis.

[@johnh3476]

The '66 must've been one of the widest cars in that era. Top 10? Guess the spool/slot machine speedometer never caught on.

[@pcno2832]

1:47 I think you meant to say "the introduction of the 1967 Fleetwood Eldorado", as it was called in the early years. The 1967 Fleetwood Brougham and Fleetwood 60-Special were 6-adult-passenger, 2-bodies-in-the-trunk executive cars and not competitors to the Toronado, while the car shown looks to be a Sedan Deville, also no competitor to the Toronado.

[@Emppu_T.]

An absolute unit, beautiful car. Which's design got worse and worse as time went on.

[@tommywatterson5276]

Olds was first with front drive in 66. Was first with this kind of sporty personal luxury car in front wheel drive. Cadillac followed suit with the Olds front drive placed in their Eldorado the following year.

[@zekemercado3403]

Eldorado next!

[@tonykinzy9572]

I am. Selling my 67 tor now

[@royperry2859]

The Eldorado was called for years the Fleetwood Eldorado.

[@andy42x]

Front wheel drive ? Must be quite a front rear weight ratio

[@mikee2923]

The 71-78 Toronados supposedly had a habit of the back of the car coming around on slippery roads if you hit the brakes too hard. I had a 76 (probably the heaviest of all them) and drove it through all kinds of snow and ice and never had that issue. Had it out in the northeast Blizzard of 93. That thing was awesome in the snow. Loved and still miss that car to this day.

[@RichardJohnson-u6j]

I brought a 1977 tornado it won't go in drive but will go in reverse but when I jack the front end up an crank it up the wheels will turn

[@TheHelado36]

After 1971 it was downhill for me !

[@anthonykinzy2852]

Hi I have a blue 67 Olds tornado that I am selling it looks good and it still run it has low miles on it its all baby blue

[@tonykinzy9572]

I like 66 tor and 67 tor and 69 to and 72 tor and 77 tor and the special 78 tor me

[@RaymondHaley-bi8lx]

It's front wheel drivetrain was it's most innovated feature, along with it's unique chassis,at least until 1979, these types of chassis are not suitable for rear independent suspension which was not easy to manage, too fragile and flimsy.

[@arleneconverse1238]

So are we going to act like the 1979-1985 doesn't exist?

[@Louis-qi1gz]

I've been rebuilding automatic transmissions 44 years and the 425 IS the best ever MADE front drive ever made 💯 TORNADO WARNING 🔧🔧🔧💣

[@smoothoperator7023]

What's the warning?

[@mikekaatman3194]

In the U.S.A. ...

[@1957charlyheinz]

Der einzige was mir gefällt ist der Toronado von 1966. Danach wurden die immer nur noch hässlicher.

[@olesrensen5020]

A great but sad story. The car started out really great but then got worse and worse and from 1971 it was just down the drain.

[@josephpiskac2781]

A great idea with sort of strange implementation. I think from day one I felt it looked too heavy with excessive bulk. It really never expressed a sense of being exceptional.

[@BrokebackBob]

No, they don't really know anything about automobile history. It's just eye candy.

[@tims8603]

'66 and '67 were beautiful, then they got uglier every year after that.

[@BobConnor-n2g]

After the 1966/67 Toronado were beautiful, why did they make it look like a catfish? and the 70s ones are ugly in the front.

[@thomastremel3846]

why add that MUSIC?? awful and loud

[@smoothoperator7023]

'66-70😍 😃 🙂 😕 😕 '71- on 🤢🤮🤮🤮🤮

[@lesliej.martin8941]

👍🤝🤜🤛👏🚗🚘🚙🛻