Oldsmobile · 1966–present

Oldsmobile Toronado

The Oldsmobile Toronado is a personal luxury car manufactured and marketed by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors from 1966 to 1992 over four generations. The Toronado was noted for its transaxle version of GM's Turbo-Hydramatic transmission, making it the first U.S.-produced front-wheel drive automobile since the demise of the Cord 810/812 in 1937. The Toronado used the GM E platform introduced by the rear-wheel drive Buick Riviera in 1963 and adopted for the front-wheel drive 1967 Cadillac Eldorado. The three models shared the E platform for most of the Toronado's 26-year history.

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Successor: Oldsmobile Aurora

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First generation (1966–1970)

The Toronado began as a design painting by Oldsmobile stylist David North in 1962. His "Flame Red Car" was a compact sports/personal car never intended for production. A few weeks after the design was finished, however, Oldsmobile division was informed it would be permitted to build a personal car in the Riviera/Thunderbird class for the 1966 model year, and North's design was selected. For production economy, the still-unnamed car was to share the so-called E-body shell with the redesigned 1966 Buick Riviera (then entering its second generation), which was substantially larger than North had envisioned. Despite the efforts of Oldsmobile and General Motors styling chief Bill Mitchell to put the car on the smaller A-body intermediate used by the Oldsmobile Cutlass, they were overruled for cost reasons. Oldsmobile had been working on front-wheel drive since 1958, a project shepherded by engineer John Beltz (who originated the 4-4-2 and would later become head of the division). Although initially envisioned for the smaller F-85 line, its cost and experimental nature pushed the program towards a larger, more expensive car. Engineer F. J. Hooven of the Ford Motor Company, had patented a similar FWD layout, and Ford considered the design for the 1961 Ford Thunderbird. However, the capability to develop and engineer it on such short notice was doubtful. In 1956 Oldsmobile had also introduced a personal 2-door concept car called the Oldsmobile Golden Rocket that did not progress to production. The unusual Toronado powertrain developed by Oldsmobile, called the Unitized Power Package (UPP), packaged a Rocket V8 and transmission into an engine bay no larger than one for a conventional rear-wheel drive car. During its seven-year development, UPP components were driven over 1.5 mil

Second generation (1971–1978)

With heavily revised styling from the first generation, the Toronado transitioned from a "GT"-style car into a more traditional luxury car. It was now more similar to the Cadillac Eldorado than the Buick Riviera (which would be redesigned in 1974, then again in 1977), with styling taking several cues from the 1967–1970 Eldorado. Sales increased dramatically. Front disc brakes became standard. The front end used a novel air induction system, splitting the airflow from below the headlights, in a "bottom breather" fashion. When United States Federal bumper standards were implemented, the front air intake was phased out for a conventional approach from below the bumper. All overall dimensions of the 1971 Toronado were larger than previous models with wheelbase increased from 119 to 122 in (3,100 mm), only 2 in (51 mm) less than the full-sized Oldsmobile Delta 88. Additionally, the subframe design of first-generation Toronados was replaced by a separate body-on-frame similar to full-sized Delta 88 and Ninety-Eight models. The front torsion bar suspension was retained, but the multi-leaf springs in the rear were replaced by coil springs. In addition, the Toronado introduced as a novelty what later became a federal mandate in a modified form, two high-mounted taillights above the trunk and below the rear window, which was shared on its platform twin, the Riviera. These taillights mirrored brake and turn functions of the normal taillights, but not the nighttime taillights. A rear-wheel ABS became optional. The 455 cubic-inch (7.46 L) Rocket V8 was carried over from previous models as the standard Toronado engine. The introduction of the second-generation Toronado coincided with the implementation of a GM corporate edict that took effect with the 1971 models; all engines had to

Third generation (1979–1985)

The third generation Toronado was substantially downsized, losing nearly 1,000 lb (450 kg) and almost 16 in (410 mm) in length. Reflecting its 206 in (5,200 mm) length and 114 in (2,900 mm) wheelbase, it came equipped with the smaller Oldsmobile 350 cu in (5.7 L) V8. The engine was rated at 170 HP/270 lb.ft. torque giving it a top speed of over 110 mph (175 km/h) and a 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) acceleration time of 9.4 seconds. A 307 cu in (5.03 L) V8 (140 HP) was introduced in 1980, and a larger 252 cu in (4.13 L) version of the Buick V6 (125 HP) shared with the Riviera was made available from 1981 to 1984, but it proved unpopular due to its slow acceleration. Also offered in these years was Oldsmobile's new diesel V8, that is based on the division's gasoline-powered 350 cu in (5.7 L) V8, but with added block material. This engine was novel and economical, and sales were initially good. However, the diesel engine quickly acquired a terrible mechanical reputation, becoming a genuine black eye for Oldsmobile. Many cars which originally came diesel-equipped were eventually converted to gasoline engines when disgusted owners finally threw in the towel. The engine was revised through its life, which fixed many issues that hurt its reputation, but it was too late and the engine was eventually dropped. The three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission was standard equipment from 1979 to 1981 and replaced by the four-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic 325-4L overdrive unit from 1982 to 1985. The 307 cubic-inch V8 (a smaller-displacement version of the 350 Rocket), was standard on 1985 Toronados. Independent rear suspension (designed by Cadillac engineers) was adopted for the new car, which helped to increase usable rear-seat and trunk space in the smaller body, as well as improved hand

Fourth generation (1986–1992)

With a nearly 16% price increase over the 1985 model, the final generation Toronado made its debut in 1985 for the 1986 model year. It was smaller overall, moved from body-on-frame to unibody construction, and was the first Toronado since 1969 to feature hidden headlights. The Toronado's previous longitudinally-mounted V8 engines were superseded by a single, transversely-mounted fuel-injected version of the Buick 231 cu in (3.8 L) V6. Inside, a new digital instrument panel and optional voice alert system were used. Standard seating was a cloth 60/40 bench with center armrest. Optional bucket seats were offered with a full-length center console and a horseshoe-like "basket handle" gear shift. Upholstery choices included cloth or leather. Against predictions of sharp gasoline prices, prices fell dramatically. As a result, many traditional domestic car buyers chose to buy larger, less efficient cars in 1986. Along with its rebadged variants, the Eldorado and Riviera, the Toronado suffered a serious sales decline. Journalists cited factors including the downsizing, notable price increases, as well as styling that too closely followed less expensive, less-luxurious compacts at GM, notably the N-body Oldsmobile Calais, Buick Somerset, and Pontiac Grand Am. In mid-1987, Oldsmobile attempted to bolster declining Toronado sales by introducing a sportier model marketed as the Toronado Troféo, which featured standard leather bucket seats, faux dual exhaust, more-aggressive styling, and a stiffer suspension (the corporate FE3 package, with retuned shocks, struts and other components). For 1988, changes for the Troféo included new seats and monochromatic paint; both Toronado and Troféo used larger climate control buttons and rear three-point seatbelts. Additionally, power increas

Variants

=== Jetway 707 === During the late 1960s (1968–1970), the only Oldsmobile professionally made into a limousine was the Toronado, known as the American Quality Coach (AQC) Jetway 707, with the 707 moniker a nod to the Boeing 707. The 707 rode on six wheels, and was 28 ft long with a 185-inch wheelbase. To capitalize on the aircraft theme, the passengers each sat on individual bucket seats. Between 52 and 150 were believed to have been built. A black one can be seen in a traffic scene in the 1976 film All the President’s Men, a white one can be seen parked in the 1977 film Billy Jack Goes To Washington, and a gray convertible version can be seen in the 1978 film Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band as one of the main vehicles. 67 X. The 67 X (also Toronado 67X, Esso 67X) is a Canadian-built automobile, based on the Toronado, that was designed and manufactured by automobile customizer George Barris for Canada's Expo 67, where they were raffled off in a contest sponsored by Esso. Only four of these vehicles were ever made, and they included swiveling seats, a sofa, and even a refrigeration unit. Commercials for the car were aired in the Stanley Cup Playoffs final game between the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs. In April 2009, a 67 X came up for auction on eBay.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Oldsmobile Toronado

Manufacturer

Oldsmobile (General Motors)

Production

1965–1992

Model years

1966–1992

Class

Full-size personal luxury car

Body style

2-door coupe

Platform

E-body

Layout

FF layout

Related

Cadillac Eldorado, Buick Riviera

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1537791CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile_ToronadoCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1359807511 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1966_Oldsmobile_Toronado_(28862800095).jpgCC BY 2.0 · Photo: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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