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There I was, minding my own business, browsing the cars for sale on Facebook like I do once in a while, and I came across a '78 Toronado, which I'll always take a look at because I have one.
Here's the first photo. Very nice and all, right?
But then I made a mistake. I clicked the arrow to see the next photo. I should have stopped at the first, and I should have just stayed in bed today.
A flower car built by a professional coachbuilder would never look that "unfinished". Someone's "inspired" backyard creation. Inspired by what, I haven't figured out yet.
What's sad is that, done correctly and to coachbuilt standards, it could be a stunner.
Last edited by rocketraider; October 25th, 2023 at 11:29 AM.
It's an abomination for sure, but if it ran good and you just wanted something to haul stuff around in it might be kind of cool. Ya can't buy anything for $4,800 anymore. I'd like to know how stout the springs are they put in the rear end?
I don't hate it. Looks like it was done with care. Somebody put a crap load of time into that car. I agree with the comments about what can you buy for under five grand? Would be a cool little truck to haul stuff etc. I have seen much worse.
The wheels look like they're from an early Toro. I was under the impression that the early wheels wouldn't work with the later brakes. Plow up front and a salt spreader in the bed, bring it on winter.
My brother’s son will be 16 in April. He is looking for a truck for him. I sent pics and price of the 78 “Truckanado.” My nephew may never speak to me again but if he’s ever hits anything in it, it should bounce right off.
I agree that it looks like a funeral flower car (first impression) - without a tailgate, it's not going to be too friendly when it comes to loading and unloading anything of significant size or weight. The overall looks might have benefited from blending the bed to the top of the fenders - personal opinion.
i like how they frenched in the upper deck lid tail lights into the roof,it would be really cool if it had a clam shell tailgate like the 73-76 big wagons. that disappeared under the floor when its down.
i like how they frenched in the upper deck lid tail lights into the roof,it would be really cool if it had a clam shell tailgate like the 73-76 big wagons. that disappeared under the floor when its down.
That is a nice touch.
I wonder if you could get a 442 in the back??? 🤔
I think the length is there…
In all seriousness, it does look reasonably well kept. Could be cool to the right person.
Last edited by 72442TwiceOwned; October 25th, 2023 at 06:54 PM.
Dan, will we see this thing in the next Front Wheel Driver? 🙂
Good question. I’ve thought about it, and I’m inclined not to, for several reasons. As unusual as it is, and we do like to feature interesting Toronados (and Auroras) in the magazine, it is for sale, and we don’t usually feature for-sale cars in the magazine itself. There’s a classifieds section in the back of the magazine for that. But we could if someone who is advertising his car for sale in the classifieds section wanted to send in an article about his car along with photos. We’re always looking for that from the membership. Just because this member’s car happened also to be for sale would not preclude it’s being featured in an article.
But this brings up another point. Is the owner of this modified Toro a member of the TOA? If he’s not, featuring his car in the magazine over that of members with it being for sale to boot might not sit well with the membership. And even if the owner is a member of the TOA, he hasn’t asked that his car be featured in the magazine. It’s not like it’s a “public” car in some way, such as having been offered for sale at Mecum or Barrett-Jackson or featured in some kind of media like the Mannix Toronado (which I plan to do a story on at some point).
So the bottom line is that I probably won’t feature it in the magazine. Too many hornet’s nests might be stirred up.
To me it doesn't matter if the owner is a "member" of anything. Someone took a whole lot of work and time into this car/truck. You can't hate this truck. Go pay what 60 grand for something? I really don't feel the hate for it. Fake W-31 or W-30 car? That's a chump. Those are here and defended all day. I would own and drive this happily. Is what it is. Nobody bullshitting on this car.
I decided to try to contact the seller to possibly get his permission to feature the car in the magazine, but I can no longer find the ad. I did the same search as before, but it does not turn up. I didn't save the link when I saw it the first time. Did he sell it already? Maybe. As has been pointed out, $4800 for a vehicle that could be put right to work is pretty good, and maybe someone snapped it up.
October 25th, 2023, 10:36 AM
