Affordable Project: 1968 Oldsmobile Toronado
There has long been debate about what the most significant post-war car produced by an American manufacturer was. Some will argue that the First Generation Mustang is worthy of the accolade, while others feel that the Corvair represents the industry at its boldest and most daring. However, the Oldsmobile Toronado is noteworthy, courtesy of its ground-breaking drivetrain configuration. This 1968 example is a rock-solid survivor that could be an ideal, affordable project candidate. It is unmolested, and its interior is exceptional. It has shortcomings, but none appear insurmountable. The seller has listed the Olds here on Craigslist in La Habra, California. They have set their price for this two-owner classic at $5,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P for spotting this beauty.
Oldsmobile introduced the Toronado in 1966 as its entry into the emerging Personal Luxury Car segment. The First Generation model remained on sale until 1970, undergoing evolutionary changes during its production run. The original owner took delivery of our feature car in 1968, ordering it in Ocean Turquoise with a White vinyl top. The seller doesn’t mention any prior repairs or restoration, suggesting it is a survivor. The paint has an accumulated selection of scratches and chips but retains a reasonable shine. It doesn’t look showroom fresh, but the lack of dings and dents makes the idea of a cosmetic refresh in the new owner’s home workshop look feasible. It shouldn’t involve cutting or grinding because there are no signs or mention of rust issues that could add to the restoration process. The vinyl appears respectable for its age, but the buyer may splash the cash on a replacement to achieve a high-end result. The chrome should respond positively to a few hours of effort with a decent polish, and there are no visible problems with the tinted glass.
This Toronado’s interior could be its highlight because it is remarkably well preserved. The Black vinyl and cloth upholstered surfaces are excellent, with no signs of wear or distress. The same is true of the carpet and headliner, while the dash and pad are spotless. It is equipped with the bells-and-whistles buyers expected from a car of this caliber in 1968. The new owner receives air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a rear defroster, cruise control, an AM/FM radio, and the relatively rare factory 8-track player.
It is disappointing that the seller supplies no engine photos because the drivetrain configuration sets the Toronado apart. Its rivals all featured the traditional front-engine/rear-drive layout, but Oldsmobile chose a different path. It developed a unique system known as the Unitized Power Package (UPP). This system successfully squeezed a V8 motor and three-speed automatic transmission into the engine bay, feeding the power to the front wheels. That made the Toronado the first American front-wheel drive passenger car since the demise of Cord, and the UPP was later used to power various Cadillacs and GMC motorhomes. This car features the 455ci “Rocket” V8, producing 375hp and 410 ft/lbs of torque. The combination of front-wheel drive and a curb weight of 4,457 lbs don’t typically spell a recipe for exciting performance, but this car’s ability to cover the ¼-mile in 15.4 seconds on its way to 135mph deserves respect. However, this is when we must face the only piece of negative news. The seller states this Olds runs, but its engine produces a “clunking” noise when it starts and idles. It could be something insignificant, but budgeting for a rebuild as part of this restoration would be wise. Otherwise, it has no apparent mechanical needs.
Recent history demonstrates that the 1968 Oldsmobile Toronado is not a mega-bucks classic. However, spotless examples consistently sell for over $2,000. An engine rebuild will add considerably to the cost of the restoration this car requires to reach that standard, but addressing its cosmetic shortcomings shouldn’t cost a fortune. Those factors suggest that returning it to its former glory is financially viable. I believe that is why it will find a new home relatively quickly. Are you tempted to make it yours?
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Comments
Whoever snaps this up is getting a real nice car for a bargain price.
Looks like a nose job from a Pontiac
I think author meant nice examples regularly sell for above $20,000 not $2,000?
This is a great looking car and a great bargain
I sitting her having had total knee replacement this past Thursday or I might consider this one and sell off the choo choo project in my shop
Love the color combo
The first generation are the best looking Toros, in my opinion. Also the best-performing ones! The smog nannies hadn’t gotten to them yet.
Gotta love a tornado.
Not the kind of car I’m looking for but 5K there is a heck of a lot to like about this thing. In fact, if it weren’t 3000 miles from me I’d give serious consideration to being a ’68 Toronado owner.
A true Luxury car ! These were expensive when new as they came standard with so many options ! They literally ” floated ” down the highway , with the ultimate ride , unlike other cars . The only bad part about these Olds Tornados were the 455 engines . They consumed A LOT of PREMIUM GAS !!! Oldsmobile wasn’t thinking about economy when they built these . Happy Motoring !
I remember the toronado and it was a good cruiser smooth as glass; our neighbor 2 houses down had one. Their mom used to take us to baseball practice and the car was so cool plus the AC blew freezing cold air and the electric windows were badass. It was a1970 and ran like glass, so cool 😎✨🆗🆒👍👌👀😎…
The clunking could possibly be a Crack in the flywheel when the starter celinoid engages ( had that happen in an old chevelle back and forth to work ride!)
I had a cracked flexplate in an auto transmission import I drove, it made a clunking/clanking noise fairly often. A while after having it repaired, I converted it to a standard with flywheel and clutch, should have done the conversion instead and saved the intermediate repair.
I’ve had that noise with a cracked flywheel on my Chevy V8, only did it after it warmed up. Sounded like a steady tapping.
Pulling the UPP would be a major job regardless of the clunking, if the drive train goes in from under the beast it must come out that way too.
If you could possibly seperate engine from th 400 while only on ramps would help make the repairs much less expensive.
From what I know, the transaxle was driven off the engine flywheel by a chain. So that clunking noise could be pretty serious. Pretty cool car anyway, although I prefer the original.
The Toro and the Corvair are examples of the engineering powerhouse that GM was. Granted, the C8 is another one, but the only one in over 50 years.
NICE, could it be as easy as a motor mount? Why not a small 5.3 LS ? Beautiful car.
I purchased a 66 in 1980, and pulled the engine shortly after purchase. I had never done it before, and had the engine out with a rental engine hoist in just over 4 hours. They are pretty easy to work on cars.
I still have the same 66, and it’s now due it’s next refresh/restore. 66 models all had drum brakes, which for a 4800 lb car, you have to plan your stops. 67 had optional disc brakes and 68 and later had disc brakes standard. This 68 looks like it could be a pretty fun car. The headlight doors probably need work, and who knows if the “Clunky Noise” is serious or who knows… To buy a complete decent shape car with 385 hp today? Seems like a great deal to me, but I’m biased. I’ve loved these since late 1965 when Dad came home with one. And yes, the car will touch the end of the 135 mph speedometer.
Awesome value, it looks like a “drive and improve” project. The bones look great.
My parents bought a new Olds Delmont 88 4 door HT in 1968. They traded their 1965 Chevy Impsla 4 door HT on it.
Even though the cars shared the same GM “B” body, the Olds had a 350 2 barrel and a THM transmission, instead of the 283 2 barrel and PG in the Impala.
The Olds had much better build quality, was faster and had a much better ride than the Chevy.it was a joy to drive, and ride in.Even the upholstery was far superior. It was nicer looking to boot! Remember that the Delmont 88 was the lowest-price full-size Olds on offer. It had power windows, a power seat, ps, pb and AC.
“My father’s Oldsmobile” was one great automobile.