I was recently approached by a friend selling his father's 1966 Toronado. It was purchased by the family in 1966 (one owner). However, there may be a unique twist to the car: it is supposedly a "police interceptor" version. I was obviously skeptical, but the car does not have any options on it - None! No A/C, no power windows or locks, etc. I know Toronados were luxury vehicles, so this sparked my interest that it could be the real deal. It also has much larger brakes than regular production Toronados, and I was told that only a few (single digits) of these vehicles were sold to the public (mostly employees). My friend's father worked in the auto industry so he should have had access to such a vehicle if it were indeed produced. I wanted to know if anyone in the forum has ever heard of such a vehicle? Is there any way to verify its authenticity by number codes on the vehicle. I believe they still have most of the original paperwork on the car. It has never been restored. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

BTW - I also own a 1969 442 convertible that I purchased in 1983.

 

William, welcome to the show. That sounds like quite an interesting Toronado. Imagine getting slammed in the back seat of that one after you get busted!

 

Going thru the paperwork or decoding the protect-o-plate would be a place to start. Post pics or codes here & someone will be able to help. If something code-wise is unique, it would point to a possible "special purpose" there are a few "police package ONLY" items - but most OPTIONS are just that "options" & you possibly found a low-option Toronado.

 

This may be hard to believe for those who didn't live through it, but in the 1960s, the vast majority of cars built (including luxury cars) did NOT have A/C, power locks, power windows, etc. As for "big brakes", I'd be interested in seeing if this is really true. The Toro brakes are unique to that platform and I'm not aware of any upgrades except for the factory-offered disk setup in later years.

Now, we do know that there are a couple of the special "shorty" Toronados built for the Lansing police dept, and those are well documented.

 

Thanks for the thoughts/comments. I had someone go take a look at the car last weekend and he wrote down the codes on the body tag. It would be helpful do have them deciphered (listed below).

Line 1: Q5C
Line2: ST 66 39687 EUC 32948
Line 3: TR 053 D WS 2R 3P EE 5Y

I know what some of the codes mean (most of line 2), but not sure about the others. Thanks

 

Not well versed in '66 Toronados, but here's a start .....

Q5C (05C) = May '66 third week (assembly date)
ST = STYLE
66 = model year 1966
39687 = Toronado Deluxe (34,630 built)
EUC = Euclid, Fisher body plant
32948 = 32948th 1966 Toronado body (40,963 Toronado & Toronado Deluxe built)
TR 053 = blue interior
D = "lucern metallic" body paint
WS : W = tinted windshield & S = power door locks
2R = rear speaker
3P = ??
EE (4E?) = ??
5Y = deluxe seat belts

 

Motor Trend Magazine's 1966 Car of the Year

100-millionth General Motors vehicle built worldwide: 1966 Toronado built on March 16, 1966

- First American production front wheel drive automobile built since the 1937 Cord
- First new car introduction to exceed 50% factory air conditioning installation rate. 30,313 were so equipped.

 

I had 2 66 models. Both were non A/C and only the basic options. No power windows/locks. I think there was a standard and a deluxe model in 66. I do not know what was included in each package.

Don W

 

It was called the police apprehender! Here is the specs for it!

http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/cgi-b...aldisplayed=50

Hope that helped.

Marc

 

And you will note that the Toronado was not included.

 

Thanks for the clarification! My fault 1969w3155.

 

There were standard and deluxe versions those years. Since the Riviera and El Dorado came out on the Toro chassis in 67 there weren't many standard versions built 67 either.

 

I don't think there is room in the Toro wheel for "bigger" brakes. You might find DISK brakes. That would be interesting, because I thought the factory started offering disk brakes on the Toronado in 1968.

 

The Riviera is a RWD car. Are you sure it shares the Toro chassis?

 

"Chassis" probably isn't the right work, but "platform" is. They area all E-body cars. In fact, one of my fantasy builds has always been to mate an early Toro body with a same-year Riv RWD chassis and floor pan. I love the early Toros except for the wrong-wheel-drive. This is the way to build a RWD Toro if you don't have Jay Leno's cash (and a free 1000 HP motor provided by GM).

 

1967. By 1970 disc brakes were,standard equipment.

 

I worked for a Buick deal in Louisiana from 1964 to 1966. I don't ever remember seeing a full size Buick sold without air conditioning. Of course you are talking a hot humid climate. I am sure that just about all the Electras and Rivieras had power windows, door locks and seats. Most of the Wildcats had at least power windows. I am sure the same was true for comparable Oldsmobiles. In 1966 we saw Rivieras and Electras break the $6,000 window sticker with LeSabres breaking $5,000 and Skylarks breaking $4,000. Now all of a sudden, I feel my age.