Thinking of buying a Toronado, whatcha think?
#42
Yeah, I've heard bad CV joints on a newer front wheel drive, and it wasn't that clicking noise. I didn't hear it when I shifted into drive either.
Basically, you pressed the gas - clunk- car kept going fine. No shuddering, hesitating, otherwise car acted fine. You took your foot off the gas - clunk - but the car kept going fine. Braking seemed ok, didn't hear any other weird noises or anything like that. Could it be something with the chain?
From a Hagerty article:
"It’s a chain that makes the Oldsmobile Toronado go. Two inches thick with multiple links, it rides on sprockets inside a carrier bolted to its three-speed Turbo-Hydramatic transmission, which is turned 180 degrees. Splash-lubricated, this mother of all chains transfers the drive from the torque converter to the transmission’s planetary gear sets, getting the power of the Toronado’s 425-cubic-inch V-8 to its front wheels through an offset differential and equal-length driveshafts. Long, smoky front-wheel burnouts follow." Granted that article is talking about 66-70 cars.
Basically, you pressed the gas - clunk- car kept going fine. No shuddering, hesitating, otherwise car acted fine. You took your foot off the gas - clunk - but the car kept going fine. Braking seemed ok, didn't hear any other weird noises or anything like that. Could it be something with the chain?
From a Hagerty article:
"It’s a chain that makes the Oldsmobile Toronado go. Two inches thick with multiple links, it rides on sprockets inside a carrier bolted to its three-speed Turbo-Hydramatic transmission, which is turned 180 degrees. Splash-lubricated, this mother of all chains transfers the drive from the torque converter to the transmission’s planetary gear sets, getting the power of the Toronado’s 425-cubic-inch V-8 to its front wheels through an offset differential and equal-length driveshafts. Long, smoky front-wheel burnouts follow." Granted that article is talking about 66-70 cars.
#43
Go for a good drive. Then check the fluid. Better a strong shift issue than a sliding issue
Last edited by no1oldsfan; March 28th, 2022 at 07:10 PM.
#44
I checked the trans fluid after the drive, it was good, not low. The clunk wasn't a gear shift, I could tell that. Probably CV joints or shafts (I assume those are different, but I don't know fwd very well).
#46
Update!
So I passed on the 76 Toronado, but a few days ago a 68 came up for sale near me so I'm checking it out tomorrow. Lot pricier than the 76 but still within my budget and frankly I think these are more desirable anyway. Here is a picture:
So I passed on the 76 Toronado, but a few days ago a 68 came up for sale near me so I'm checking it out tomorrow. Lot pricier than the 76 but still within my budget and frankly I think these are more desirable anyway. Here is a picture:
#47
https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/...464875897.html
Chris did you see this car? Looks like it could be a decent deal.
Chris did you see this car? Looks like it could be a decent deal.
#48
I saw that ad but I haven't gotten down to Denver to take a look. The white 68 I looked at today is in great shape, runs drives, even comes with horseless carriage plates. I'm leaning hard towards that one right now.
#50
Lean right into it, Chris. I think the collector market has ignored these great pioneer cars for too long. I've noticed values starting to go up and I think they could be the Next Big Thing.
#51
If the 68 is nice and in your budget, get it. It will have far better resale value and be easier to sell in the future if you decide to let it go some day compared to the late 70's cars. I know I am biased, but the 68 is way cooler and a lot better looking than the 71- up cars as well. If you do get it, post some pics.
#53
So I went ahead and bought the 68 yesterday. Ran down to DMV this afternoon and did the paperwork. She's a good driver, not perfect but real nice. Cruised home at 75, spent a small fortune gassing her up, and tomorrow I'll take her to work and show her off a bit.
#54
What a cool *** car... White on white 68 Toro? Cool as bleep .. Good for you.
You could hide those speakers in the doors.
I am one of the oldest followers of Toronado's. One of our pizza delivery cars was a 68 Silver Black top black interior cars. I owned a one owner 69 when a customer bought a brand new 89... I felt bad for him but my 250.00 was well spent. Awesome car. Gold no top. I had nine people in there once coming to my house to hang out. Toronado's are a different breed. You don't get IT until you get it.
Best winter car ever...
Good call. Glad you pulled the trigger. Oldsmobile On ❤️
You could hide those speakers in the doors.
I am one of the oldest followers of Toronado's. One of our pizza delivery cars was a 68 Silver Black top black interior cars. I owned a one owner 69 when a customer bought a brand new 89... I felt bad for him but my 250.00 was well spent. Awesome car. Gold no top. I had nine people in there once coming to my house to hang out. Toronado's are a different breed. You don't get IT until you get it.
Best winter car ever...
Good call. Glad you pulled the trigger. Oldsmobile On ❤️
Last edited by no1oldsfan; April 26th, 2022 at 09:57 PM.
#61
Amen. I don't have pictures myself of my one owner 69 I had in the late eighties early nineties. I will ask my cousin if she does. I sold it to her. I loved that car.
#62
Thanks, everyone! I'm really happy with this car. She's all original as far as I can tell, except for those speakers, which I probably won't use anyway. My Cutlass has the original AM radio, so I just put one of those portable bluetooth speakers on the dash and listen to music from my phone. I'll probably do the same with the Toronado. See? The 21st Century is good for a few things!
This car is going to be a driver, but I plan on keeping it original and keeping it up as best I can. I'm sure I'll have questions so thanks in advance. The folks at work loved it, even the ones who had no idea what it was.
This car is going to be a driver, but I plan on keeping it original and keeping it up as best I can. I'm sure I'll have questions so thanks in advance. The folks at work loved it, even the ones who had no idea what it was.
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