1966 Oldsmobile Toronado Deluxe 425 cui. from North America

Summary:

Cheap muscle car power!

Faults:

Vacuum headlamps are nasty things to work on- this is the most difficult car to change the headlights in, bar none.

Carb needed a rebuild when I first got it.

Electrical boards in the dash needed to be soldered, in bad shape.

Rheostat is not working for dashlights.

Parts are difficult to find, to say the least.

General Comments:

This thing is a beast, people certainly respect your side of the road (and some of theirs) when you come ambling down the lane.

The 425 provides plenty of torque, making this car's acceleration very lateral, whether one passenger or six is riding with you.

It also gets as many looks as my 240z, you just don't see too many of these Oldsmobiles still around.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th September, 2003

19th Mar 2006, 20:55

I learned to drive on one of these, and like any teenager, tended to explore its limits. They are VERY fast and VERY hard to stop. The one thing I remember most clearly is the prodigious brake fade from anything over 60 mph. They are complicated cars, and my respect, admiration and thanks go to anyone dedicated enough to restore one.

13th Mar 2009, 21:52

I was about 8 and can remember my great aunt buying a Toronado. It was a dealers model and was the 1st one in our area. It was bronze and I remember the speedometer "rolling"! Later years she upgraded to a 1969 and then a 1977. She loved those cars. I often asked to drive the 1977. She used to say.. too bad you couldn't had driven my 1966.. when you put your foot on the gas... you knew you were going somewhere! I have an old advertisement.. "A car with pull for a man with push". I believe it was a 1968 advertisement from Playboy.

11th Sep 2016, 04:40

The car was mostly a finished design before 1964 and produced in 1965. It's been half a century, so you don't have to live with drum brakes. Just get modern brakes. It's simple enough to retrofit to disc brakes, maybe even better, more efficient power. 1967 came with a front disc brake option. Performance, rotors and beefy calipers solves that easily. It's no reason to pass on what a great car this can be.

1966 Oldsmobile Toronado DLX 7.0 Liter 380HP from North America

Summary:

Placed at 2500 USD average, you can get a high performance classic car pretty cheap

Faults:

The engine and transmission seals have dry-rotted after the car was standing for 13 years in a garden. Constant oil refilling every time I gassed it up was necessary.

The exhaust system was too rusted and simply fell off after 700 miles on the highway.

The power steering pump held for another 300 miles.

The brake master cylinder held for another 50 miles (dangerous effects in traffic!).

4 thermostats were blown in the southern heat.

The battery charging relays gave up after another 900 miles.

General Comments:

The car has serious racing capabilities. Quick starts are really enjoyable because of the front wheel drive dragging you ahead (0-60 mph in 5 seconds, no kidding).

Interior comfort is extremely high and let's you cover a thousand miles a day without really growing tired.

Handling is below average (idler arms are worn out!!) Car seems to shift and shake after exceeding 120 mph (end of the speedometer).

Gas guzzler. When pushing the engine you get about 8 miles to the gallon.

Doesn't like cold mornings. Needs a long time to warm up.

I am doing a complete ground up restoration on this vehicle and want to bring it up short to pro power one day. Estimated date of completion is 2007.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th May, 2001

13th Aug 2004, 22:37

Does anyone know the difference between the 66 and 67 Toronado Deluxe compared to the Standard?? jcb1986@earthlink.net.

26th Jan 2005, 07:01

According to a '70 Toronado the only difference should be the interior (door panels and seat upholstery)

28th Feb 2005, 06:30

0-60 in 5 seconds? Is your speedo correct? It should be approx. 8,5 seconds, according to road tests...