Gorgeous Gold Olds: 1969 Oldsmobile Toronado
“For 1969, Toronado is longer and more luxurious than ever. Its sculpted styling is impressively refined. But there’s no mistaking that great look. It’s still strictly Toronado.” That’s how the Oldsmobile marketing folks described their innovative, and most unconventional, front-wheel-drive personal luxury car. In the fourth year of its 5 year first-generation run, the 1969 Toronado was gradually morphing into more of a luxury car. Make no mistake, there was still nothing on the road that looked like a Tornado, but the ’69’s didn’t look quite as sleek and striking as the first-year ’66 model (thanks to the front end with the massive bumper/grille that housed the hidden headlights and more-squared off rear styling). Here’s a well-preserved first-gen example that’s had two previous owners, was purchased from a collector, and has only 41,500 original miles. It’s currently located in Waxahachie, Texas and is for sale here on eBay. As I’m writing this, the current highest bid is $8,600, but is falling short of the seller’s reserve.
Other than “2 Previous Owners, Purchased from a collector.”, there’s very little history shared and the photos taken and posted are okay, but could be more complete (no underside, vinyl top, headliner, or rear end pics were posted). With a reported 41,500 miles, I’m assuming it’s still wearing its factory Aztec Gold Metallic paint. It looks presentable and shiny with no rust or major bumps and bruises. The chrome, trim, badging, glass, and cool Cord 810-inspired wheels on four new tires all look to be in top shape. Based on the photos, it’s hard to determine the condition of the optional vinyl top.
The Toronado’s original interior is in very good shape. I’m not seeing any excessive wear on the Strato front bench seat (no photos supplied of the rear seat). Although Strato bucket seats with a sports console and floor-mounted shifter was optional in ’69, most customers ordered the bench seat. With the front-wheel-drive Toronado’s flat front and rear floors, you could comfortable sit three across in the front and back seats. The instrument panel, dash, carpet, and carpeted door panels on those long doors also look very good but the steering wheel appears to have some rippling going on.
This photo shows you how long the door is, which helped getting into and out of the rear seat easier, and the Toronado’s luxurious door panel with the cool “Excella Pattern” that appears on the door panels and front and rear seats. And since it was still the 60’s, the sales brochure brags that the “lighted dash ashtray is centrally relocated for driver convenience.” Luxury and convenience was the name of the game, and ’69 Toronado’s came standard with Vari-Ratio power steering, power brakes, simulated Elm-grain wood applique, a deluxe steering wheel, electric click, and more. It looks like this particular one was ordered from the factory with the optional Four-Seasons Air Conditioning, power windows, power antenna, and AM/FM Radio. Nothing is mentioned about all of these things working as they should.
Under that long Aztec Gold Metallic hood, is a clean and tidy engine bay housing the standard 455-cubic inch 375-horsepower V8 (the seller lists it at 475 horses, but that’s 100 Mr. Ed’s too many). The seller says there’s only 41,500 on the clock but doesn’t mention documentation to prove it. Based on the inside and outside condition of this survivor though, that low mileage is believable. The sellers lists the following work done: “new radiator, alternator, power steering pump, water pump, rebuilt heads with new cam and lifters, springs.” About 28,500 units were built in 1969 and this is one of the nicer survivors we’ve featured here through the years. These innovative first-gen Toronado’s turned heads when the were new and still turns heads today. There’s never been another American automobile mistaken for it, that’s for sure. Happy Bidding on this nice survivor!
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Comments
“My daddy’s car”. New ’69, same color, and really big. Almost twice as long as my Healey.
Nice choice.
Heavyweight fwd with the big motor, 3spd Hydramatic, 3.07 gear ⚙️ from Dr. Olds.
Imagine the effortless and comfortable hwy drive in this. It must’ve been something to enjoy bobhess 😃🙌
My dad had one when I was a kid too. His was bronze (metallic brown).
I sent a comment in I do not know if they will post it. the guy that owns the car is probably buried in it and that is his fault. The $8600.00 is way more than fair.
Wow this thing is really sweet. Needs whitewalls.
Came here to say the same thing. Needs white walls!
Yuk, whitewalls, like mudflaps on a Corvette, black walls do it right.
Preferably the pinstripe whitewalls that these came with from the factory. I see a cruise control unit under the hood. I worked at an Oldsmobile dealership in 1976 and many of the first generation Toronado’s got junked when the boots would go bad on the driveshafts. Boots apparently weren’t sold yet and I only remember one customer paying up for new axle shafts. If memory serves me correctly they cost about $700.00. The cars were only worth about that much.
I’m in agreement with the whitetails. I noticed the steering wheel center horn pad has some blistering going. The seller had duplicate photos of the same and none of other sides or areas. Appears to be a survivor.
I think that is the lighter hue called Topaz… also known Olympic Gold on Chevrolet, Trumpet Gold on Buick, Antique Gold on Pontiac, and Shalimar Gold on Cadillac. Oldsmobile and company had four shades of gold that year! Now, it’s all about the grays…
These truly looked like nothing else on the road. Except, maybe, a Riviera to the untrained car spotter. Sure you might like to handle better and go farther on a gallon of gas but this is a car to be seen in. You’ll love pulling up driving this.
It has lots of stage presence and sportier (if more baroque) styling than an Eldorado. Just as powerful as an Eldo at around half the price. I do love the 1966-67 better but wouldn’t mind seeing this in my garage at around $12k. What’s that dark stain on the seatback on the passenger’s side?
Hey Dan, that appears to be where the color of the vinyl is worn off.
The steering wheel appears to be the same way.
An absolute shame the seller isn’t displaying some worthwhile photos. Absolutely pitiful photo presentation on what appears to be a stunning 69 that just needs some freshing up!
Semen
Overall nice car, but why are the back windows not fully raised in all the photos. I wonder if that caused/ contributed to the reason the steering wheel pad has deteriorated so much.
Overall nice car. Wondering why the rear windows are not pictured in the full up position and what happened to the steering wheel padding?
The first generation Toronados are my absolute favorite. Beautiful graceful lines and the proportions were just right. This is a really nice shade of gold on this Olds too. I completely agree, it needs whitewalls. When GM designers were designing this Olds, it was with whitewalls in mind not blackwalls or white letter tires. Although, a nice set of period correct red stripe tires would look nice with the gold too. But definitely needs at least whitewalls. The interior looks great, and of course theres a shot showing what is my absolute favorite and probably the largest gas pedal in the industry which just so happens to be connected to the new 455 which replaced the 425. Really nice Olds and hope it gets a great new caretaker.
This is what I was thinking – a double pin stripe. The picture is from the Coker website. I think you can get them in a radial version, too…
That’s a lot of new stuff for such a low-mileage car, Olds is usually an alternator at 70k, radiator, brakes at 90-100k, and that’s it.
Also, whoever put the stuff in was a real hack, there is a lot of necessary stuff that went missing from the engine, emission, carb heat, & PCV systems when the chrome valve covers were installed.
That would not stop me from buying it, it has real good bones (don’t forget to check the front CV joint boots, I understand the CV joints are no longer available anywhere.
I think what is hurting this car is the bench seat, the split seats are more desirable.
Really like the color combo on this Toro. Looks like a nice car and the best thing, they’re moderately priced. Agree with Rex and others, needs whitewall tires. RWL don’t look right on these.
Oh, my Lawt! That is a fantastic looking car.
My father had one of these in silver with a white interior. It was a big, heavy car with enormous power, no center hump, and lousy gas mileage. It was fun to drive, and people noticed it.
Oldsmobile was always the experimental decision and You cannot understate the historical significance of this model! It is sad so few Oldsmobiles survived, this car brand made the un conventional mainstream!
Innovators
It strikes me now, if, from the beginning, they had only called the brand “GOLDsmobile”. No reference to “old”, and everyone likes gold. Genius.
https://classiccars.com/listings/view/1000869/1969-oldsmobile-toronado-for-sale-in-volo-illinois-60073
I love these cars ! Not keen on the color of this one ! Really wondering about the head work and cam replacement with this low mileage?? Something is off with that !
I think this car is over 100000 miles. Hard to believe that the heads had to be done and the cam and lifters were bad. seat is a real The bench seat is a real no no. What about the lower end (motor) this could be a concern. I was looking at this car. The guy that owns it is probably BURIED in it I think the $86000.00 is really more than fair.
What a beauty! One thing I thought was incredible on these full sized Oldsmobiles was that massive accelerator pedal. It looked liked it was from a Kenworth or Peterbilt! As a kid it just looked gigantic. The other thing I loved was the attention to details in the interiors back then. As an example, the stainless trim on those pedals was a nice touch. Made it feel rich and a step up. You just don’t see small touches like that anymore.
I am 55 years old and My earliest memories are of cars! GM Ford and Chrysler made the cars that everyone wanted! The plastics felt of quality and the features were truly innovative!
2” inch wide white walls Double Eagles or Uniroyal Royal Seal Self Sealing Radial All Season All Terrain P225/75 R15-P235/75 R15,
with factory installed mud flaps some people are supposed to know
what and why the mud flaps are there and also used for?
We’re talking about A Fully Sized Personal Luxurious Luxury Sport Coupe Ride one of the finest Rides that was not only Designed,Created, Built, Made & Manufactured by Oldsmobile along with Buick, Cadillac, Chevy and Pontiac. Under the Umbrella General Motors Corporation.
Along with the other big two who are Ford and Chrysler of whom as well Designed, Created, Built, Made & Manufactured their own versions of Fully Sized Luxuriously, Luxurious, Luxury Personal Sport Coupe Rides back in the hey days. From the Mid Forty’s to the Seventies.
Please, Please, Please, Please don’t ask what they are calling themselves designing, creating, building, making let alone manufacturing today because I don’t have a clue or even know?????? Oh yeah by the way i’ 62 Years Young and i’ll 63 Years Young. Now turn those ages around and what do you get????
Sincerely Yours Truly
Ivan I J
GM full size luxury Coupe’ s had 225/75/15′ WW tires, Ford had 215/70/15′ WW tires, My father upgraded From the 215s to 225/70/15 WW tires on every Lincoln and Ford/Mercury He bought! The Royal seals were great unless you lived in a cold climate, on cold winter mornings ,the gel in the Royal seals would collect at the bottom of the tire making them hard to keep balanced!
Love me a Toronado. Just something about those big 2 door luxury cars. I’m still in awe on how big those gas pedals were on these full size late 60’s early 70’s Oldsmobiles. That looks like it belongs on a Kenworth. Love how unique the interiors were instead of the one color fits all that we have on new cars. Those were the days.
Everything about it is fantastic.