I am new to this and am about to purchase a 1970 Toronado any ideas it has the 455 and its front wheel drive other than that I don’t know much about these. The interior is almost perfect no tears and the body is in good shape other than the dent on the driver side back quarter about the size of my hand. Just wanted to say hey to everybody and see if there are any good Oldsmobile people in the Huntsville Alabama area.

 

Welcome to the site. Those were really nice cars in their day...in fact they still are.

You should'nt have any trouble getting parts for the engine if you need them. Any local auto parts store will have belts, hoses and tune up parts. Some of the body and interior parts might be hard to get but might be found on the internet. They are not reproduced for the most part. It wasn't as popular as say a camaro so to speak.

Hopefully somone else can help you more, Good Luck.

 

Welcome

 

My intensions are to get this 18ft land yacht back on the road. My great aunt was the original owner. I grew up with a wrench in my hand practically but haven’t done a lot of work on cars that are pre 85. I know a few old time hot roders but most car freaks my age are ricers that cars sound like bad horn players. By next year I would like to be driving this beauty.

 

The engine is much easier to work on less junk in the way.

 

Welcome to CO, and land yacht it is, you'll love it.

 

Welcome!

It's a fine ride. Enjoy it!

- Eric

 

Its official your part of the Oldsmobile community. Lets see some pictures

 

I have a few pictures on my phone from where it sat I have not been able to do much with it because I have been working so much overtime. I will try to get those pictures posted tonight.

 

A lot of people are put off by and afraid of the front wheel drive, but a Toronado is actually a simple automobile once you understand how it works. I'd say you'll have more trouble with the electric gadgets after 40 years than you will with the drivetrain.

I have a 69 W34. Feel free to ask questions. There's also a couple of 'Bama guys on here.

Your ricer friends will quickly learn to respect the Toronado, if they don't outright hate it because of what it can do. When a Toro breaks its front tires loose, it is capable of burning them to the rims. None of this "skik-skik-skik" noise Hondas generate.

That said, driving a big front-driver aggressively is a little different that a big rear drive car or a compact FWD. You do not let off the throttle. You stay on it and power it thru turns, and the tail end will follow.

 

The thing to watch for is torn rubber CV joint boots. When the rubber boot tears water and dirt gets into the constant velocity joints and wears them out quickly and they are expensive to replace.

 

Hey guys I have a quick question I was told the other day my 70 toronado had a “special/ different” trim package its not a gt where there other trim packages for the car maybe dealer add-on. I know I need to get a few pics up my new computer dosent like my camera as soon as I fugure it out I will have them on here.

 

You had base and Custom trim levels. Difference is the door panels and seats. Customs outsold base cars nearly ten to one in 1970.

Look on the body data plate underhood. For a Custom it should say 70-9687, base 70-9487. I don't know of any dealer add on packages for the Toro, though there were a couple of spring special packages offered. Those were aimed mainly at enticing well-heeled women to buy Toronados.

Was yer great-aunt one of them Southern biddy women that had money?

 

Welcome aboard

 

Neat car and it's great that you have all the family history that goes with it! Welcome aboard.

Randy C.

 

Welcome, get us some pic's when you get a chance!