The Story of The Terrifying Toronado: Wronged By History - Part 1

This is the first of a three part series telling the entire incredible history of the Terrifying Toronado, one of the most infamous drag racing cars ever made. This twin engine 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado was ill-handling, was ill-mannered, was on fire a lot, and has actually been maligned with shoddy reporting and bad story telling.
Part one tells the story of the man who built the car. Not a crackpot but a legitimate top fuel heavy hitter that saw the writing on the wall and the money to be made in 1966 Funny Car racing. John Smyser was among the best drag racers in the nation when it came to running heads up on nitro. To understand how this car came to exist you needs to know his background first.
This is part 1

[@charleshanson5587]

Grant Industries built twin engine Toronados and sold a few. I saw one at Seattle International Raceway, in the 1970's. It looked completely stock from the outside. After it beat a 12 second Nova,I went to the pits to check it out. One engine under the hood, and one in the trunk. Since I had read about them,I was glad to actually see one.

[@brianlohnes3079]

Coming in episode 2 🙂

[@betrevryday1]

That was local legend John Gorman’s 1966 Toronado . He built that twin engine white Olds Toro you saw at SIR completely at his auto repair shop in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle. John Gormans Auto Repair even built and sponsored an Indy 500 car in the 70’s among other interesting cars. I lived 10 blocks away and often saw the twin engine toro driven on errands and such.

[@strykerentllc]

Doesn't get any better than your historical coverage, Brian. It's nothing short of remarkable with the level of detail you put into research prior to release of a video presentation. Looking forward to parts two and three as well as future videos. Four wide at Z-Max will definitely be another treat and then on to our local stretch of rubber covered concrete--Route 66. Cheers!

[@jonathangehman4005]

Man, you are CRUSHING IT with these videos. Hurry up with parts 2 and 3

[@YippeeKiYayMrFalcon]

Brian, I just want to thank you for all of your continued in-depth content regarding drag racing history. So much of this history is locked up inside of old car magazines with yellowed pages and you're really bringing it alive again to the current generation, and in a very in-depth way. It's really honoring to the previous generation and all of these hot rod pioneers, many of who are no longer with us. Really great stuff! Your passion for drag racing history really shines through. Thank you!!!

[@parentsbasement7734]

This channel needs to blow up. Brians research is great deep diving the stories which can't be easy with drag racing because everyone knows drag racers can bend a story almost better than anglers, thanks for all the great stories and hard work.

[@benjamincresswell3713]

Also Too he has a good announcer type of voice. It's easy to get lost in his narrative. Kind of the way Chris Economaki used to sound. ben/ michigan

[@sharkinstx]

Brian, I’m really looking forward to Parts 2 and 3!

[@shamil808]

Never heard of the Terrifying Toronado. Looking forward to part two. 🧑🏻‍🎓

[@picman2009]

I was just gonna say that. 😅 Never heard of it but holy sh**! One crazy animal.

[@BuddyCorp]

Your work output is incredible. Detailed and in depth breakdowns of niche aspects of drag racing seemingly every other week.

[@halseyknox]

Dick Lechien is pronounced La-sheen, his son Ron was a short lived motocross superstar in the 80's. Dick created and marketed Maxima oils and lubricants which Ron now runs in Santee, Ca. Dick was a local AA/FD legend in So. Cal back in the 60's......love listening to your excellent history lessons in the early days of drag racing👍👍👍

[@horsepowerheaven256]

I've been on KZbin a long time and have never subscribed to a channel. Until now. Your old-school style is totally addicting. I've learned so much from your videos. Thank you very much, for I know how much time and effort goes into work like this.

[@frankdragottasfranktv7675]

This is Absolutely Awesome Brian! Thanks so much! I can't wait to hear and see the next two!

[@kevinhuber8723]

This was super enjoyable! Thanks for taking the time to post.

[@vehdynam]

Well researched and narrated. I anxiously await part 2. Many thanks.

[@williambarger8506]

I reallly enjoy watching your vids. I grew up drag racing with my dad in the 70's, and I saw a lot of these guys race. You do such a good job. Thank you.

[@saturnfivehynrgrc581]

Good stuff Brian. My favorite time period for drag racing is that early/mid 60"s. What a time it must have been in southern CA. Look forward to the future content.

[@chesspiece81]

Brian, thank you so much for your uploads

[@alxf66]

These are top-shelf videos. Every last one of them, a clinic on research, presentation, and audience engagement. Can't wait for the next chapter!

[@rayleehylton8427]

Thanks for another great video, another car/team I'd never heard of. Looking forward to part 2.

[@Commander-McBragg]

The vintage footage is amazing! You do great work.

[@mgbchuck6527]

lookin' forward to pt.2/pt.3. Never saw the Toronado run (parents had a '66 one), did see the Hurst Hairy Olds though. Keep'm coming Brian

[@user-bb8mb3ky4n]

Awesome car !

[@nummerfinfeable]

Simply brilliant Brian. Many thanks from UK.

[@briantomcollins]

3 parter... i like it. This is a fantastic channel. Love the sometimes obscure history of hot rodding and drag racing. Even the odd heavy machinery vids are cool. Great stuff. 👌

[@Zman700T]

Brian, I just love your vids and presentations. Very informative!

[@cjespers]

Wow! What an interesting story. Looking forward to the rest! Well done. Thanks for your efforts bringing all in info together for us gearheads.

[@mikecurtis2585]

These videos are great! Love hearing about all the Drag racing history! Always fun!!!

[@bradley-eblesisor]

Buddy, I know 2 things in the middle of 2024. 1. KZbin is cool. 2. Creators like you make it awesome! Thanks! 👍👍

[@justacoupleofkids320]

Love your background stories related to auto racing vehicles and personalities. Reminds me of Paul Harvey’s Rest of the Story series. Keep ‘em coming.

[@michaelgautreaux3168]

Perfect! Have always loved this car both stock & Hot Rod! Many thanx Brian 👍👍

[@mwhitelaw8569]

That's funny you mentioning KFS They tried to hire my dad away from PSA back in the day. My pop was the lead welder in the turbine shop for 18 years. Many of his methods changed alot of repair procedures all over the world. Love your obsession Brian

[@danskipper2475]

Great work as always, many thanks😁

[@garylucier6817]

Brian, thank you for bringing back this old (currently again active in the sport for a 2nd time in life), drag racer's sights and sounds and 8 dozen names that did not survive the wild 60's even into the 70's (when I was old enough to move from a child of a huge fan to an actual racer), save for a few names like Prudohomme, McCuen, and Kallitta), from my childhood days attending Top Fuel races throughout SoCal! Many names and winners from the beginning days of fuel racing are rarely heard, seen, and spoken of, and all of those people were pioneers of the sport.

[@betrevryday1]

Thanks Brian for these videos from an era I love. In Seattle there was another twin engine 66 Toronado too built by John Gorman . He’d drag race it too at Seattle International Raceway and used as his daily driver in the 1970’s . His son Jim who worked with his father John at the family operated auto repair shop might be able share some details about one of the other twin engine Toro’s . Beautifully engineered It was quite the local legend back then .

[@paulegan1296]

I had a chance to buy a 1/18 GMP diecast Terrifying Toronado in the early 2000s..pricy, but not out of reach. I am kicking my ass now for not doing it. As usual, great great autox journalism and narration!

[@MADmidway]

I grew up in Amarillo! I've been to that drag way many times, but it seems during it's twilight years. I didn't realize how much of big deal it was back in the day. Awesome video!

[@jakespeed63]

Fantastic History!!😎👍🏁🏆 Thanks for all you do

[@TalkingGIJoe]

Toronado... quite possbly one of the best cars to ever come out of Detroit... right there next to the Riviera...

[@mouthend]

Interesting story ... will be waiting for parts 2 and 3 ! A breath of fresh air to watch these well researched and told videos on car history .. thanks Brian. Oh and also of interest was to see Gary Gabelich's name among all those legends too as I only knew him from Blue Flame.

[@cavemangarage]

Fantastic video and story thank you again Brian for a wonderful page out of History I look forward to the next two videos please don't make us wait very long LOL

[@ejgrant5191]

Brian you are ONE AWESOME GUY! Thanks for setting the record straight. History being re-told can be warped over time. We oftened joked in racing "Good Luck" was when dedication, hard work meets opprotunity. There were many "back yard tuners" who were a force to be recogned with @ the races. I also heard Denny Millani's name mentioned he was a force to be recogned with in Top Fuel driving the Gotelli Speed Shop TF Dragster. My old friend worked with Denny @ Hewlitt Packard in Palo Alto....Denny sold him a set of heads for his 63 340HP 327 Vette and swapping those heads put him right @ the NHRA national record for the class in his "daily driver" Vette when he put, 4.56 gears and "Bruce's Tire" recapped sticky tires on it....Great times👍

[@peaceeagle1618]

Wow! Brian you knocked it out of the park on this one. Kudos!

[@P_RO_]

Just so many complaining here who can't read that this is part one, which of course will be about the background of the main story yet to come. The background of many stories is as interesting as the story itself and I definitely enjoyed it. You won't find any other YT channel giving this depth on obscure little-known drag racing history if you find anything on the subject at all so kwitcherbitchin. This channel rocks 😎

[@terrygarvin1392]

Your research and presentation are unbelievably interesting. Can't wait for parts 2 and 3. In the meantime it looks like there's plenty more to follow up on. My NHRA racing is much more fun knowing how informed the announcer is.

[@garyking1705]

Outstanding Brian....JUST OUTSTANDING

[@TurboDog73TX]

An awesome vid as usual. Being well before My time, I'd never even heard of The "Terrible Toranado" but what a cliffhanger of a story!

[@JeffreyPerrault-hk6xe]

Thanks for bringing back some memories Brian.I recognized Riverside.I used to live in Sunnymead right across the street from Riverside raceway.I loved to hang out there as a kid.I snuck in so many times that eventually they ended up just letting me in.😅

[@gafrers]

Looking forward to the other parts. Interesting as always

[@proracer382d]

Awesome stuff as always my friend

[@scottr9900]

Love the podcast. Been listening for years. Be fun to have you and Freiburger do some in-depth.

[@Pablo668]

That was awesome. Looking forward to the next episode.

[@BG-gr7fh]

Nice work Brian, keep it up! I'm wondering if the Doug Robinson mentioned in the articles is the same Doug Robinson of the BMR #66 Bonneville Fuel Roadster ?

[@RamPMonyPers]

Thank you for doing justice to the 'infamous' Toronado and its creator. I often felt most people had failed to understand his talent.

[@frankjones4094]

Really looking forward to the rest of this great story.

[@localcrew]

Never heard of this car - but now I’m fully invested in the outcome!

[@johnnoipswich7239]

It's so refreshing to watch a video made by someone who clearly knows what they're doing. Someone who does their research, fact checks.

[@koolkid95chrysler53]

Just 2 minutes in and im already hooked. great job!

[@patrickshaw8595]

Ima' slow learner - took until four min. in. But I watched it on 8X speed so I win !

[@RandysFiftySevenChevy]

I think I built a model of the hairy olds back in the day. The glorious days of drag racing that is gone forever. I grew up in that environment and still do somewhat with my old gasser.

[@gtxsc03]

Excellent job with the research and building the foundation for Part 2. Can't wait!

[@erica8664]

Please keep turning out these great vids.

[@mcjdubpower]

Another fantastic vid 😊

[@bvonsvideos]

Cant wait for part 2😊

[@wm9904]

Looking forward to the next parts

[@joshuagibson2520]

I am heading out fishing for the day, but I'll be watching this first before I leave!

[@garylucier6817]

I remember John Smyser, and that Toronado, I was just a kid, but My step dad loved that car, and knew that man.

[@charlieromeo7663]

Another example of video excellence! Well done, Brian. Just curious, was that a young Steve Evans in one of the reports? Also, where was Garlits during those races? Did he simply choose to not travel that far or what? Seems odd he didn’t participate. Keep up the great work, looking forward to parts 2 and 3!

[@markgeary5897]

Brian these stories are brilliant.How about picking a random issue of National Dragster from back in the day and adding some of your expert knowledge,stories behind the scenes etc?.UK fan #1

[@LANDSEAAIRCANADA]

Excellent great on all levels Thank you

[@tomp1612]

Thar was great, hope part 2 is soon, the edge of this seat is uncomfortable and I can't hold my breath much longer. Good stuff on John and Nando Haase. They certainly were heavy hitters.

[@Guns_N_Gears]

Amazing story, and amazing reporting on the story!!

[@rosewhite---]

That Barracuda was a really classy design! Bring it back Chrysler or whatever your name is these days!

[@user-bb8mb3ky4n]

The fastback ! Pure American elegance !

[@theschultz-ster]

One last video before bed. Thanks Brian.

[@theschultz-ster]

Just watched the whole thing and realized at the end you didn't even talk about the Toronado! I was hooked@

[@raykaufman7156]

Wow. Maybe you can shed some light on an odd situation. Im a Surfers fanboi, and I've watched the Bill Pitts video series several times. It includes essentially a race by race recap of their career from period pubs like Drag News, Drag Illustrated, etc. I can't remember EVER hearing the name Nando Haase (its hard to forget), Haase and Smyser, or the Radir Wheels car mentioned once. Any idea why Jobe, Prieto, et al would have dissed them that way, or are we going to learn why in parts 2 and 3?

[@martyroberson2091]

Awesomeness Brian

[@colinbrassington3192]

Looking forward to parts 2 and 3. And only partly because like you say, what I know about the car is probably wrong.

[@AtZero138]

First Job.1993/95. Browning Oldsmobile.. i heard about the car.. working with Old Hot Rod kids.. it was great hearing about Loins and Orange County etc.. One of the salesmen who was the President of the Oldsmobile Toronado Club.. He drove one of them every day to work.. 6 different one's... Seeing them.. 1st time for me.. he mentioned this story..

[@xozindustries7451]

Great story as always, I’ve always thought that car was amazing, I never knew the story though

[@mchristr]

Imagine being born post-WWII and growing up in SoCal as a drag racing fan. There were drag strips from Long Beach out to Riverside. Racing everywhere, all the time.

[@daviddavid5880]

One of the coolest, scariest hot rods of all time.

[@roberthill2219]

PART TWO PLEASE!!!

[@Ecosse57]

i'm really curious as to where that other twin-engined olds fits in to this story. seems that one had more positive press, if not success, than this beast.

[@benjamincresswell3713]

Hairy Hurst Olds? was GM & Hurst build. If I'm not mistaken GM owned one of the magazines didn't they? ben/ michigan

[@benjamincresswell3713]

Hey, I never heard of the Terrifying Toronado. I wonder if the Hurst Hairy 66 Oldsmobile was a copy-cat. It was two supercharged engines and 4 wheel drive. It boasted 2,400 hp. ben/ michigan PS I subbed.

[@Tricknologyinc]

Would love to see you cover The Surfers! That was such a sad ending!

[@kevinbontrager2920]

Fantastic photos

[@josephfraumeni2829]

so on long island i took my 68 nova to this burger king or somthing on the south shore late 70s.. heard everybody went there . was hanging out in the parking lot with other fast cars and a black toronado pulled in slowly .I never saw black windows on the sides and back on a car before. People started to wander over , i did i was shocked! for in the back seat or where the seat was supossed to be was an air cleaner on top of another fwd big block !! the heat that was comming out was crazy and this guy soaked with sweat was talking to someone saying that it would be super fast if he can get two two moters to run together with eash other, never forgot that and dont know if it was a kit or not

[@dadyo63]

Nice work

[@brianmcadow4054]

That was fantastic !

[@TheRoguelement]

I was a young kid during the Trnados fame I even built the Model to the 10th degree detailing it out the whole way ..for static model competition

[@rdefabri]

Great story!!

[@allareasindex7984]

Liquified, powderfied, or pillified… Brian, I love your writing.

[@UberLummox]

Intriguing. That Toranado is a new one on me. VERY much looking 4ward to it. And @20:06 I'm at least 95% sure the lettering on that rail is by Ed 'Big Daddy Rat Fink' Roth hisseff!

[@mikebaker9574]

Looking forward to more. Heard of everybody except Doug Robinson????? Guess I don't know it all!!!!

[@none-js4kr]

I grew up right next to where fontana drag strip was and didn't even realize it

[@georgeadams8230]

Great video, what ever happened to John and Nando ?

[@philigan2339]

I have a VERY short 8mm film of that jump over the guard rail. I don't know if I can find it & I don't have a projector to check it. I am searching for it anyway.

[@sharkinstx]

I was hoping that Part 2 was going to be posted today. When is that coming?

[@CarsandCats]

My Dad raced at Santa Maria Dragstrip back in 1959. I still have one of his trophies that says "Santa Maria Dragons" on it.

[@leesherman100]

Love your vids. Keep'em coming. Thanks

[@ronmerkle3696]

in the 70's, at Miami Hollywood speedway, someone had a 68 eldorado with 2 500 Cadillac engines . as I remember it ran low 13s high 12s smoking all 4 tires!

[@mkepler5861]

I thought I was watching a video on the Terrifying Toronado, did I click on the wrong thumb nail?

[@halseyknox]

No part 2 yet?.....just watched part 1.....I have that Hot Rod magazine issue with Hasse and Smyther on the cover....one of my many, like new, various publication's of the sport thru the 6O's and 70's in my collection

[@JSki-kb8vf]

I'm going to start watching your stuff from different computers to drive up the hit count...it's that good...

[@benjamincresswell3713]

Does that work? Whenever I stop a video but look for it on a different device it knows where I left off. One thing I do do (gotta watch those do do's) is play a vid over and over and over while I do other things on different tabs. (google chrome) ben/ michigan

[@numlockkilla]

How does Brian not have at least 500k subs.