First off, I'm sorry I don't have pictures. I haven't seen the car myself, either. My father has. I was wondering what I should look for next time I do look at it. Its been sitting in a building where you would keep corn, I guess. Not really a barn, a corn shed. It has raccoon scat all over the exterior but what my father could see of the interior it looked to be in OK shape. This is the same guy I bought my current 78 98 from.

When I go out to see it sometime in the future, what should I look for? I know to check for rust and rats, but anything else? I believe the car has been parked since some time in the 70s or 80s, but I want to say 77 for some reason.

I haven't gotten a definite answer on whether he would be willing to sell it or not but he mentioned it and asked if I was interested. A good first step.

I don't know what engine it has, and I'll get the VIN so I can find out.

I haven't really gone toro looking before so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

If its been parked since the late 70's. It will need everything. So number one thing to for would be rust. Its a 67 what. You have to look to see if you can get parts for it, before you even buy it. A car that set that long I wouldn't give much for it. Like I said look for rust. I would recommend taking pics and posting before you buy. So you can get some honest opinions.

 

67 toro of course! why would I post in the toro forum?

Makes sense. Like I said I don't know the exact year its been parked from nor have I seen it. If my dad didn't say anything about body rust that means (a) there wasn't any or (b) the raccoon poop covered it.

I'm hopeful about this car because it's had a roof over its head and it may have had a concrete floor (I think so) and grass is what kills with underbody rust. I don't know if it was parked because of issues with the car or just to keep it in good shape but if it was the latter choice it probably has drifted into the unkempt state it is now only due to the fact the guy is 83 years old.

I don't even know if he'll charge me for it.

 

grab it!!

 

Definitely going to try!

 

the hardest part is going to be the trim BUT if you have space you could always buy a donor car - there were a lot of these made and being luxury, they tended to be owned by a shall we say higher class of clientèle - i.e. not beat (unless the kids got their hands on it like in my house)

 

That would be nice. But there may be one in the local junkyard. I found a parts car for my 98 there with almost everything I need. Now I just need money to buy it all.

But there are probably toros in that yard I could look for.

 

x2

 

Definitely sounds like something to go for. Hope it works out, keep us posted.

 

update? Pictures? This thread is useless without pictures!!

 

It's tough sometimes with a "barn find". It can be a major home run or a nightmare. If the storage and floor was dry and the car's been there for 30 + years, you should have minimal, if any rust but definitely check well! The interior and wires are food for critters and you want to check both carefully. If the interior is clean and does not smell like it's been a rodent family's home, you might just be ok...look to see if the wiring both under the hood and dash are intact and not chewed. If they are in good shape, hook up a battery and test the electric on the car...lights, radio etc but DO NOT try to start it! Before turning over an engine that's sat for so long, you want to change all the fluids and prime the motor. Same goes for the tranny. The rubber is going to be another issue....belts and hoses easy enough to change, but you'll likely also need to change brake hoses, calipers/wheel cylinders, etc. Just about anything that can dry up, will. I bought a '75 98 years ago that was sitting in a shop, up on a lift since 1979 with 20K on it! I got extremely lucky in that it was a dry environment so the car was well preserved but all the rubber was still shot.

Hope this helps. Good luck and post some pics as soon as you can!

 

Here are some photos. I thought I posted this a long time ago but i guess it didn't go through

http://www.flickr.com/photos/4995138...hoto4583759931

 

Woh, that is a really cool find but wow she looks pretty rough. Are you buying the car?

Did anybody else notice that the hood emblem is upside-down???

 

Krichen, the key to a Toronado is buy the best one you can to begin with, because there is next to no reproduction or aftermarket support, and NOS is drying up. That one is more than a high-school boy (even a driven and determined one) should tackle. Nice 1st gen Toronado are still common and inexpensive enough that this one should remain a parts car.

But if you're really set on having it... about $500-700 tops. There's enough salvageable parts you might get your money back.

 

rocketraider you are right on the mark. This is a parts car. Very good advice.

 

Thats what I've been thinking more and more. The interior looks pretty good, but the body looks like its pretty bad. When I was there looking at it I was rushed, but I think its been bondoed in a few places. I haven't seen the engine but if it is in pretty good shape and the body turns out to be repairable, I think it could work. I felt some of the rust patches while I was there and there's a possibility I could grind some of it off. Since the interior looks almost new and there is no sign of rodent infestation, I have hopes that the wiring is intact.

It all depends on the detailed follow up inspection. When I took the pictures I had to be in and out in 2 minutes, so not much time to look there. But the underbody didn't look like it was in any danger of rusting out.

Also, in case of any confusion, the pictures of the rotting floor panels are from my current car that I own.

As for the toronado, the current owner has said he may want to keep it and restore it himself.

And what is that roof option called?

 

Wheather you buy it or not. It's always fun to read these barn find stories. I had a few 66-70 Toros about 30 years ago. They were great cars, great in the snow and around the curves as well.
Keep us posted.

 

no mention of a California top - maybe it was aftermarket but all options are here http://automotivemileposts.com/toron...equipment.html