After sitting over a year, my Toronado is back on the road!
September 21st, 2013, 05:05 PM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Great Bend, KS
Posts: 174
After sitting over a year, my Toronado is back on the road!
Almost exactly a year ago, the output shaft bracket broke on my Toronado. I spent a good amount of time looking for parts. Found an output shaft off an El Dorado, but lo, it didn't fit.
So without many other options, I eventually had my Dad weld the old piece back together. So far, it's holding up. Can't tell you how amazing it is having this thing moving under its own power again.
I have a real big soft spot for this car. Bought it for $625 back in 2006 when times were pretty tough. Had 196,000 miles then. Drove it every day for 5 years and had over 250,000 when the output shaft broke.
It's definitely seen better days, but for the first time in a long time, I got it cleaned up today and went for a cruise.
All dirty. And the bumper got tweaked from my buddy towing it home. Gonna have to get new bumper fillers too. Gonna be hard to talk the wife into that right now.
So much neglect. Time was starting to pass the old girl by. But of course it fired right up once the bowl in the carb filled back up. I was just happy it made it into the garage under it's own power at this point. Time for an oil change.
Hosed out the engine bay. It was dirty, but it was mostly to get rid of spiders. Webs everywhere.
And back after the cruise. I backed it into the driveway so the neighbors can tell that it DOES run. Haha!
It was a good day with the old girl. Was like hanging out with a friend you haven't seen in ages. Won't take too much to get it back to its former glory. Just time and money.
So without many other options, I eventually had my Dad weld the old piece back together. So far, it's holding up. Can't tell you how amazing it is having this thing moving under its own power again.
I have a real big soft spot for this car. Bought it for $625 back in 2006 when times were pretty tough. Had 196,000 miles then. Drove it every day for 5 years and had over 250,000 when the output shaft broke.
It's definitely seen better days, but for the first time in a long time, I got it cleaned up today and went for a cruise.
All dirty. And the bumper got tweaked from my buddy towing it home. Gonna have to get new bumper fillers too. Gonna be hard to talk the wife into that right now.
So much neglect. Time was starting to pass the old girl by. But of course it fired right up once the bowl in the carb filled back up. I was just happy it made it into the garage under it's own power at this point. Time for an oil change.
Hosed out the engine bay. It was dirty, but it was mostly to get rid of spiders. Webs everywhere.
And back after the cruise. I backed it into the driveway so the neighbors can tell that it DOES run. Haha!
It was a good day with the old girl. Was like hanging out with a friend you haven't seen in ages. Won't take too much to get it back to its former glory. Just time and money.
September 22nd, 2013, 10:28 AM
#6
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Great Bend, KS
Posts: 174
Thanks guys! I think I'm going to fab up some makeshift bumper fillers from some aluminum for now and paint to match. Won't look stock, but will look better than it does now. Until I get approval to spend $250 on new repop bumper fillers anyway. It's just driving me crazy looking at it the way it is now.
September 22nd, 2013, 08:58 PM
#7
Registered User
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Posts: 188
Very Nice!!! This generation Toronado had serious class... I have always been in love with its classy long hood and stylish short back. Wish there was allot more of these still on the road!
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