Rocket-Fast Fastback Comparison Test: 1967 Oldsmobile Delta 88 vs. 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado

Learn more about the 1967 Oldsmobile Delta 88 and 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado in this video!
Check out Old Cars Weekly and Dick Ruzzin's article on the 1966 Toronado's design here:
www.oldcarswee...
And, click here for the two interview with Dick Ruzzin discussing the Toronado design:
• Designing the 1966 Old...
• Designing the 1966 Old...

[@bryanaisenbrey7188]

I attended the Chicago Auto Show around 1990 where they had a 66 Toronado side by side with a 1990 model. The crowd was around the 66. I mentioned to a salesman standing near the display that their marketing people should take note. He didn’t appreciate the comment!

[@dannyg6592]

The 1966 Toronado is the finest exterior design in the history of Oldsmobile, and one of the best designs ever to come out of Detroit. There is not one bad line, it really is styling perfection.

[@philhamilton8731]

That Toro is a rolling piece of sculpture. Beautiful.

[@DavidHall-ge6nn]

"This is a heat riser, by the way, that diverts exhaust gases over the manifold." How many shop manuals have you memorized, anyway? Your casual asides typically impart more information than other's entire videos. I never fail to be impressed. Amazing.

[@Blippa-v4x]

This presenter continues to hold my interest and I look forward to watch his content regularly.

[@mrluckyuncle]

That Toronado is to die for.

[@John-xk1ym]

Eldorado

[@smoothoperator7023]

Welllllllll.......

[@markg7030]

I had a 425/ 365 horse power engine in a 66 Ninety Eight. It weighed in at 4165 Lbs and had posi traction. It was so smooth and powerful, I surprised many late model smog Z-28 and Trans- Ams in the late 1970's at the red light- green light Grand Prix.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Adam, This video clearly illustrates what many of us have been saying for a long time, Oldsmobile is overdue for a comeback. Can we build one for you? 😁 In regard to future Oldsmobile videos, we are still waiting for the 1972 Cutlass Cruiser vs 1972 Vista Cruiser comparison. 😉😉

[@dave1956]

GM absolutely killed Oldsmobile several years before they dropped the marque. During the 1950’s through the early 1980’s they were my favorite GM division. It all came crashing down starting with the Omega, Firenza and Cutlass Ciera. What garbage! No wonder the Japanese owned the car business.

[@dankurz7675]

We’ll all be lucky if GM doesn’t go extinct in the not too distant future. Have you noticed that GM (and Ford) have effectively given up making sedans? And you are looking for Oldsmobile to be resurrected? Just what are you smoking?

[@guglielmo64]

So true and don't forget the diesel garbage engines!​@@dave1956

[@sgtalstrafficticketblog2452]

Olds is doubtful to ever be resurrected, that is just silliness. I see recently GM is quietly even throwing out trial balloons in media about a resurrection of Pontiac. It costs a car company $1 billion USD to bring a car off a drawing board to clay model, to preproduction mule, then production. It costs billions more to start a new brand from scratch, or bring an old one back, starting with $2.2 billion for GM to retool Hamtramck Assembly so it could exclusively make $115,000 Hummer electric trucks. It’s one thing to bring Hummer back as a flagship boutique range topping bespoke sub-brand for GMC with select electric off road models. That was a one shot deal to a pernanent death sentence if failed twice, so Hummer was a rare lucky exception. As electromobility gets underway, makers are more inclined to just keep the brands they already have if not shed off what they on’t need, which is why. So given what we once had, and what we have today, to wonder of possibilities because I too would like to have a new 98 Brougham in my garage too, who on earth other than any of us here, would buy a new Pontiac or Oldsmobile today, gas or more likely, electric? Because here’s the thing: Adam’s old cars from the 60’s and 70’s are beautiful designs, but we’ll never drive cars that look like these brand new today, perhaps ever again. Why? Some of these designs are proven dangerous to safety on the road. Because a new Olds or a Pontiac today, would have to look like one the ones they did way back then, but must now be an SUV or CUV to be a sales success today, not yesteryear. Can you imagine driving a ‘66 Toronado looking and designed to be an SUV or CUV? I don’t. How about an 88 Holiday Coupe CUV? Can you imagine what such cars would look like now? And it has now been 20 years and 15 years respectively, since we had an idea of what a modern Olds and Pontiac currently on sale, looks like, and those were cars, not light duty trucks. This is the same dynamic Cadillac is undergoing as we try to convince ourselves that a 70’s Sedan de ‘Ville looks something like a CT6. Olds and Pontiac no longer exist, because eventually their customers went to the 1990’s newly minted upmarket Japanese brands like Acura, Lexus, and Infiniti, to buy a car. And I don’t think they’ll come back for an all new Olds or Pontiac CUV now, when there’s Buick and Cadillac. And remember, Olds already had three strikes in the ‘90’s and ‘10’s with Aurora, design reboots, all new different models, blah blah blah. GM’s been wondering lately if they can even also ditch Buick, to give it to the Chinese, Great Caesar’s Ghost!! That’s what that truly looks like!!!!

[@dave1956]

@@sgtalstrafficticketblog2452 We can dream, can’t we?

[@WhittyPics]

I always liked the Olds parking lights between 2 round headlights.

[@brianhayes7618]

I'd take the Toronado any day

[@joehumenansky8225]

As an Olds guy I appreciate this episode. Both of your examples are outstanding. A close late childhood friend owned a '67 Toronado with buckets and console. I believe it was a spring edition that was saffron yellow with a vinyl roof and similar color interior. I had the privilege to drive this car on a few occasions. The Toronado was the style leader for the Olds line in '66 and '67. The full size coupes and Cutlass line had the body sculpting that mimicked the Toronado. The blade style fenders started in '67 on full size offerings. One of my favorite full size Oldsmobiles is the Delta 88 Custom with a bucket seat interior. '69 and '70 also are desirable especially with the police package.

[@AlanFisher]

As far as I’m concerned you are putting out some really good videos. Lots of great content 😊

[@Sedan57Chevy]

Late 60s E-bodies are some of the sharpest machines ever put on the road, but my heart lies with the full size cars, regardless of the make (olds, Buick, or Cadillac). The massive fastback coupes like this 67 olds were the most stylish family cars out there, and even the four doors looked terrific. GM styling was on top of the world in these years.

[@MarinCipollina]

You forgot Pontiac, which was,.. at least from a styling standpoint at the top of the General Motors stable. Give me a mid '60s Bonneville or Grand Prix hardop coupe any day of the week.

[@thomastoler2397]

Agree with every single word!

[@markriley1862]

My 1972 Buick Centurion was a 455 4 and In Two doors

[@PhilRacicot]

I've owned a few Buick B body Wildcats (1965/67/68) and 3 E body 1967 Rivieras from the mid sixties and being RWD, they do share most mechanical features and they feel similar on the road too. Mechanically, a Riviera is just about the same as a '67 Electra or Wildcat. only the rear suspension is different because of the X frame but still has 4 coil springs.

[@wmalden]

The 1966 Toronado is my favorite “classic” car! Absolutely beautiful!❤️❤️❤️

[@mattwhaley9917]

Absolutely Love the prayer on the dash of the 88! Both cars are true works of art and they have a great caretaker in you. Thanks for sharing these Beauties!

[@turbofanlover]

That Toronado is spectacular.

[@jedjohnson6781]

Adam, your videos are wonderful! You bring the glorious automotive past back to life with your content. Glad you left the prayer sticker on the 88. It’s always good to praise the “ultimate” designer!

[@ianjay5301]

I had the 66 poster of this car on my room door back in the day. I'm pretty sure it was this color (or it might have been a little darker). The shape was absolutely beautiful and the Riviera was another hit right out of the ballpark. Then the 67 Eldorado arrived. GM styling was absolutely at its peak during this era.

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

cool I always wanted the 66 toronado corgi toy

[@timmcooper294]

The 1966 Toronado combines two things so well in it's styling that cannot be replicated by todays automotive designers.... It's both brutish and delicate at the same time, just so impressive.

[@fomfom9779]

I have mentioned this before on your channel. My parents bought a 1966 Toro new. Funny as you were discussing the details of the exterior design, such as the shape of the wheel arches etc. I had flashbacks of the many hours I spent washing and waxing that thing by hand, as a teen. Thanks for the memories. I always loved that car. And as I have mentioned before, I took my driving test in the thing. So there is a connection through that as well.

[@CORVAIRWILD]

I've got a '66 Toro survivor 76k, and just sold my 48k '68 98

[@RichMander1]

I’ve been watching your channel from the very beginning (carpenter who complains about directional veneer here) I’ve been into old cars as long as you have (I think we’re the same age). I love learning little snippets in every video. I’m even happier to see a car I didn’t know you had. Sweet 88.

[@bobcoats2708]

I love how the Toronado had single piece front and rear fenders vs the 88’s tacked on pieces to finish the fenders. That must have added to the expense of building the Toro.

[@thomastoler2397]

Agreed

[@jetsons101]

Adam, I must confess that I thought you were going to have the two cars do the 1/4 mile because of the "Rocket-Fast" in the title. They are both beautiful cars.

[@61rampy65]

I thought the same thing, but I just don't see Adam as the type to be a drag racer. I'm pretty sure the Toro would kick the 88 in the butt.

[@jetsons101]

@@61rampy65 That's kind of a understatement.... LOL Back to the BBQ

[@Jerry-ok8gj]

That 1967 Delta 88 is my dream car! 😊

[@aldonchristian1209]

I love both cars. I currently have a '71 Toronado and is a joy to drive. Growing up, my family had a '72 Delta 88 4 door sedan. That was an awesome car as well. Sure wish I could find one again 😢

[@michaeldeaktor8190]

Adam, another EXCELLANT video! Back then I actually picked the Olds 98, it rode the best of them as it's wheel base was longer than than the the two. It also seemed wider inside than the Toronado. (I also probably did not want to pay the extra money.) I would still make that choice today. I would be curious what the inside width was comparing the 88 versus the Toronado with the wider wheel wells. I regret trading it in after 3 years, but that was what we did then. I really enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work.

[@thomastoler2397]

I loved the grille on the ‘67 98

[@phildavis3105]

There were suspension differences between the 66 and 67 Toronados. GM softened the suspension in 67 likely due to criticisms of the harsh ride. The car mags of the time decried this change complaining that the car had lost its (relatively) sharp handling and therefore its character. One could buy the platform mates, they said, if one wanted cushy.

[@Primus54]

It was a different era when cars that could pull a lateral “g” above 0.7 were considered great handlers, but definitely not cushy rides.

[@Dac54]

The first two model years of the Toronado were arguably the best looking of all the Toronados, inside and outside. I remember a 1967 Olds Delta 88 in light blue and a 1968 Delta 88 in a dark green color where I lived as a youngster. On the 88, I preferred the 1968 model, though the '67 is quite nice in that gold color. As for the 98s, again, I prefer the 1968 model to the 1967, especially in 2dr.

[@jeffhill3681]

My local community college trades program had a 67 Toronado as one of the 'practice' cars, donated new from GM. By 1980 when I went through the program it was rough due to poor storage, extensive mechanical dismantling, practice & demonstration body and interior work, with many missing small parts, despite having less than 500 miles since new. The drive train was mounted to a cart for access for students. The one other donated new, dismantled car's drive train was in overhead storage, and no longer available to students. The body, what was left of it, was in maintenance storage to prevent further cannibalism. That car? A 1968 KR 500 428/auto Shelby Mustang convertible ! Donated by the General Tire Co, who did the fiberglass parts. Same kind of condition & mileage. I heard it was sold for $5k in the mid 80's, after getting permission from GT. The Toronado may have had to be scrapped because it was donated special use, and without a real title.

[@mattskustomkreations]

Man, that hurts.

[@rayjburkhart1752]

I absolutely love your Toronado !

[@sloprun]

In the year, my dad bought a 1970 Delta 88. Yep, the A/C was ice cold on those scorching summer days. Not many cars, let alone houses, had A/C back then. This 1967 had more attractive lines than my dad's especially in your 2 door version. Thank you the historical review of the cars.

[@guglielmo64]

Well done Adam. Love to see you're beautiful, smooth running Oldsmobiles!

[@houstontexas4658]

The Toronado wins hands down all the time, what a beautiful car!

[@JohnEvans-ct6mz]

It was the same in the ‘90s. The Delta 88 (h-body) was about 10k less expensive than the Aurora (cousin to the Riviera like the Toronado).

[@waynejohnson1304]

I've ridden in both cars. For shorter trips and, for style, the Toronado is the way to go. If I had to go across the country though, I'd choose the better riding 88. If the Toronado were mine, I'd put in Vintage Air. Here in Connecticut, air conditioning is a must.

[@hiitsstillme]

A great comparison, thanks Adam! We love reminiscing with these old beauties.

[@somejackball]

the 88 kinda reminds me of our Gardner's old Buick Wildcat, worked for us in the 70s, that thing was clean. cept his Wildcat was kind of a dark brown metallic, white interior. but overall style very similar! ☮

[@al_dente4777]

Wow. I thought that only higher-output engines featured the Switch-Pitch. If these were standard with all Turbo Hydramatics, it's puzzling that they would discontinue this feature allegedly because of "excessive production costs". You could get the Starfire option on the Delta Customs which included a 375 horsepower 425 carried over from the previous-yeared Starfires. I would love nothing more than to see the results of a road test between a Starfire Delta and a Toronado. Too bad that the Starfire's roofline with the concave rear window was also discontinued

[@Mr.Higginbotham]

Your Tornado is fabulous. I would have to add AC living here in Georgia. It gets hot and humid here and I am oldish and spoiled I recon.

[@DerrickOil]

Love the sound of a big block in the morning. 😂😂😂

[@michaelroberts6450]

The approximate $1500 base price difference between the Delta 88 and the Tornado was the difference between middle or upper class affordability . You could buy a house for 15k at that time so $5500 before you started checking option boxes on the order form was not affordable for most families . All 3 vehicles were status and image oriented . How GM's brass kept referring to a "special Oldsmobile" during the initial engineering phase means just that. Fantastic designs all of them but Tornado was just a cut above the other 2. Riviera being the rear wheel drive version what a engineering challenge to develop that platform for front and rear wheel drivetrains. A testament to GM's wealth and talent at the time.

[@allareasindex7984]

As the Toronado was the one and only front-wheel-drive American cars of its time, every once in a while you’d see snow tires on the rear.

[@mattskustomkreations]

…Not the one and only. Starting in 1967 the El Dorado was also front wheel drive.

[@drift3rkid66]

Yeah, then the Riveria in '79

[@SummitHill79]

I had this Delta as a 4-door, same color, in college in the 1980’s. The mileage was such that it used to be cheaper to take the Greyhound the 70 miles to school than it was to drive the car! Fun car though.

[@maxr4448]

Thanx Adam for another great video!

[@douglasb.1203]

Great video. End of spring. Sunshine. Birds chirping. Gorgeous Oldsmobiles. It's your own personal car show. Only thing missing are corndogs.

[@Dangerous_Drivers_of_CA]

The Toronado looks fast while sitting still.

[@73_f100]

That 88 has those fender/quarter panel end caps on all four corners. It really jumps out in comparison with the Toronado. The smooth unbroken line of the Toronado front quarter panels is beautiful. Allows the “lead in” that you mentioned to be a real feature line.

[@payingcustomer6107]

I really enjoy your videos and the depth of detail you provide!

[@braydensdeals]

I know it’s only a matter of time, but I’m patiently waiting for a 66 delta 88 video, I have a Holliday coupe, Great comparison!

[@DanEBoyd]

The F85/Cutlass shared that headlight theme, with the turn signal between the high and low beam bulbs, with the '67 full size Oldsmobiles.

[@sergioleone3583]

The steering wheel alone on the 66 Toronado would sell me on it. Too bad it was just the one year.

[@votingcitizen]

summer means fun! bring out the rare and classics and get on down Woodward!

[@JohnnyAloha69]

My dad switched from Pontiac to Olds in 67 and bought a new big olds every second year through 79 88’s through 73 and 98’s from 75 on). I found the 67 88 (a fast back delta like this one) a bit awkward with wheels that were too inset to the body and way too much front overhang. The 69 (also a two door) was better looking but nothing special. The 71 88 was a looker but he complained about the cheap dash and body jiggles. 73 was similar but ugly bumpers and better ride. The 75 98 regency was a gold looking car with those super plush seats. The 77 and 79 were twins and excellent but bland cars. Each car was slower than the previous one starting in 71 (all 4bbl’s 425 then 455 till the 403’s in 77-79. Then he switched to Caddy for 81, a front drive Seville with the 6/8/4 368 engine which he never had issue but he hated the front drive. The worst of the bunch was the 83 with that boat anchor 4.1. It blew a head gasket in the first year and he never bought a GM again.

[@allareasindex7984]

The ‘66 Toronado was the best looking version.

[@chuckselvage3157]

I didn't realise how big the 88 was compared to the Toronado

[@OLDS98]

Thank you Adam. Thank you Adam. I liked that Toronado sterring wheel from 1966. I think I saw it in a 1966 Ninety Eight also. There aspects of that 1966 Toronado you see on my 1992 Toronado. The 1966 Toronado influenced the other Oldsmobiles in the line from 1967-1970. I liked the split grille theme as it worked for Oldsmobile. Buicks in 2024 have an Oldsmobile Aurora like front end. The headlight theme came back in the 1980's on the Oldsmobile Firenza. Pontiac used it for a while in the late 1970's and early 1980's. The basic shape of that instrumentation was used on 1977-1990 fullsized Oldsmobiles.

[@markdc1145]

The standard Oldsmobiles of the mid-60s were good looking cars but nothing that special . The Toronado, on the other hand, looked like something from the future, really in a class of its own.

[@AlexanderWaylon]

Beautiful cars absolutely beautiful

[@MrBrianbusch]

Both cars are beautiful, there was a time I would have preferred the Toronado, wish the 88 Wheels filled out the space better.

[@ceciltrane5418]

66 Toronado styling over a 67 Toronado. 👍

[@jeffrobodine8579]

I take what comes along for the right price. Can't be too picky when you come across one in nice shape.

[@alvinprettyman1802]

thanks for posting always looking forward to the next one.

[@jamesengland7461]

I love that dashboard sticker! Amen!

[@ervdre]

Always brilliant, informative aand nostalgic.....keep these viideos coming. If you ever feel the need to cover mid 60's Ford Custom cars that would be great. My dad worked at Ford and always drove the most frugal offering they had. No power brakes, no power windows, no power steering, no radio, no A/C and if offered would have chosen the 2-rope steering mechanism. I learned to drive on this beast....great memories parallel parking it. Cheers to you and your knowledge.

[@jeffreyweinzierl1509]

I had a 65 Dynamic 88 convertible. I miss that car.

[@madmike2624]

Outstanding content as usual Adam!!

[@hotpuppy1]

Worked with a guy who had the '67 Holiday 88 coupe. Same engine>>2bbl.

[@Johnnycdrums]

Ted Kennedy had a Delmont 88.

[@4af]

And when drunk, Ted drove it off a narrow bridge into a fairly shallow pond on Chappaquiddick Island in Massachusetts. The car landed on it's side with the drivers door submerged a few feet and the body of 28 year old Mary Jo Kopechne was found inside the following morning. If the car had power windows and power door locks then escape may have been impossible.

[@Johnnycdrums]

@@4af He was a scumbag.

[@thomastoler2397]

I never understood the frugality of the Delmont, being from such a wealthy family

[@Johnnycdrums]

@@thomastoler2397Beater cars.

[@jetsons101]

I wonder how many steps it took to assemble the front bumper, there has got to be some welding involved.....

[@DrewAlexander-k7e]

Are any new cars worthy of Campari g to the classics? I can not think of any cars that are as well styled

[@69Applekrate]

nice video. I own a 67 Delta 88 coupe, pretty loaded 425, pw, etc am looking to sell it. am in eastern Az it is a semi project car. far from perfect but, still a super nice car to drive as is or to restore. few of these remain decent body but, paint is faded maroon with black int. new upholstery, etc thanks

[@DinsdalePiranha67]

Today I learned that the Toronado's rear styling was inspired by the Ferrari 250GT bread van.

[@Gary7even]

I would say the fender panels on the Toro were more expensive to produce because GM did them as full stampings. The 88 used finishing caps at all four corners to complete the shapes of the fenders.

[@stevennederhiser7125]

I would consider GM cars of this era their heyday!

[@BubbaSmurft]

That wasn't a picture of a Ferrari "kammback", it was the one off, Breadvan. The kamm back is most famous on the 250 GTO but was also present on many Ferrari's of the 60's, as well as the Cobra Daytona.

[@JohnWhite-xc3md]

If I had to pick between the two, I'd go for the Holiday Coupe. I love the ride of those old rear wheel drive, full frame GM cars. The Tornado is a very pretty car though.

[@rome288]

Rear of the tornado really reminds me of the rear of the original aurora.

[@73_f100]

14:02 the comparison of the full size vs a mid size car is super on point. It illustrates also why the 88 looks a little “over bodied.” The body sits over the wheels vs on the wheels - envelops them.

[@hugieflhr03]

The cold light was the silliest thing GM ever installed in a car

[@benc210]

Great video. 👍

[@jamespolcyn8441]

Hi Adam

[@RareClassicCars]

Hello!

[@danr1920]

15:11. Looks similar to my '65 Corvair's dash.😎

[@richard169]

I would watch any comparison that involved the '66 Toronado. Did the car have a nickname? It's so great.

[@RobertoGonzalez-r8w]

Wish you had turned on the tornado headlights on

[@danneault4458]

very comprehensive, good job.

[@elizabethhopkins3826]

Have you ever had to replace the timing belts in any of your classic cars?

[@RareClassicCars]

No timing belts in these. Only chains.

[@ryanelectra225]

Both beautiful cars.

[@fob1xxl]

Toronado was a great design. I like Buick's version with the Riviera better. Both were really sleek and new. Never cared much for the Delta.

[@Scalihoo]

America was making world leading cars during this era, after that the UK, Germany, France & Japan..something like that. 🙂.

[@ourkid2000]

Funny, my '66 Toro has that same exhaust leak on the drivers side. I guess a new donut is in order!

[@cheechortez9174]

Love that Toronado!!!

[@meta2016]

Hey man I'll be visiting my sister in July in Lake Orion would like to meet up and check out you little car show you got going, huge fan of 60s styling

[@mikearnett1386]

Great video thanks for sharing!

[@two64sanda10]

The '67 Eighty-Eight, please.

[@cheechortez9174]

The only thing the Toronado needed was the traditional deep dish steering wheel.

[@craigbenz4835]

The Delta 88 is the better without a doubt.

[@tryptamineodyssey]

This is absolutely gorgeous. Does that year normally come with red interiors like that

[@smoothoperator7023]

"Autumn Bronze"👌😎

[@brianhdueck3372]

I was just a kid with an opinion when these were new but I was disappointed with olds after 64 until the 68 Cutlas debuted. I just way preferred the Pontiacs. Now well I’d be proud of any of them though the 88 still is kinda off on the front 3/4 view.

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

liked the 67 delta 88 but preferred the buick 65-67 wildcat , 65-67 catalina fastbacks

[@anthonytucker1707]

great cars thanks 😁

[@jamesengland7461]

Beautiful cars!