I’m not inquisitive about beginning a debate in regards to the first personal-luxury automobile, although I open to strategies that Ford Thunderbird—most likely the second-generation—was it. I do need to name out probably the greatest examples of the breed, nonetheless, and that’s the Oldsmobile Toronado.
New for 1966, the large 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 a giant $4617 (that’s $44,500 in 2024 {dollars}). Not solely had Oldsmobile entered a brand new market section with the Toro, it had additionally launched a brand new flagship.
As is likely to be anticipated—in the course of the huge coupes run—the Toronado was all the time accessible with the most important engine accessible to Oldsmobile clients. 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 had 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
Second Technology: 1971-1978
Size (inches): 220
Weight (kilos): 4800
Third Technology: 1979-1985
Size (inches): 204
Weight (kilos): 3800
Fourth Technology: 1986-1992
Size (inches): 188-200
Weight (kilos): 3300
It’s price 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 precise method, with a design conveying each effectivity and broad-shouldered luxurious.
The fourth-generation Toros had been a letdown. Additional downsized, the final Toros appeared an excessive amount of like smaller automobiles within the Olds lineup, but price dramatically extra. Additional, a V8 engine was not supplied, which was a disappointment to many returning clients.
Collected listed below are ten traditional Toronado print adverts. And in case you have a favourite mannequin yr or technology of Oldsmobile’s traditional personal-luxury automobile, inform us about it. The place to go away feedback is down beneath.
Oldsmobile Toronado: Traditional Automotive Adverts
1966 Toronado
1968 Toronado
1970 Toronado
1972 Toronado
1974 Toronado
1977 Toronado
1980 Toronado
1982 Toronado
1987 Toronado
1991 Toronado
Hearken to the Automotive Stuff Podcast
Oldsmobile Toronado Footage
Click on beneath for enlarged photos
The Final Three Coupes of the Cigar-Wielding American Dealmakers