Save me from having buyers remorse, 68 Toronado

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Old Jan 28, 2017 | 11:04 AM
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Save me from having buyers remorse, 68 Toronado

So I'm going to look at a 68 toro today. Red, chrome wheels, needs some work, but not rusty and very straight. Asking price is down to $800. I already have buyers remorse but that's silly is it not? A 455 core alone in my area is 6-7 hundred. Someone chime in and tell me I'm not crazy for buying this. Thanks guys and gals pictures to follow later.
Old Jan 28, 2017 | 11:15 AM
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You know you need it.
Old Jan 28, 2017 | 11:21 AM
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I really want a bench seat cruiser for my fiance and i. She's totally game she thinks it's a cool car
Old Jan 28, 2017 | 11:26 AM
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I snapped the wheel last time I was around
Old Jan 28, 2017 | 02:55 PM
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Look solid, like the early body style.
Old Jan 28, 2017 | 04:32 PM
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You are not insane or crazy. I don't see how you could get hurt at that price. Just make sure you get a title. The girlfriend likes it so I don't think you have a choice. Besides, it is red.
Old Jan 28, 2017 | 07:26 PM
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Well worth the price, even from a parts stand point... Looks solid with a little issue at the top of the quarter, possibly where the vinyl top meets...
Old Jan 28, 2017 | 07:35 PM
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Originally Posted by The_Jeremiah
A 455 core alone in my area is 6-7 hundred.
It may even have a forged steel crank, my 68 did.
Old Jan 28, 2017 | 07:38 PM
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Also, front wheel drive and a big block is something everyone should experience.
Old Jan 28, 2017 | 08:09 PM
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Had a triple black '72 years ago, didn't have to look in rear view mirror to see smoke coming off tires.
Old Jan 28, 2017 | 10:46 PM
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Originally Posted by kevdog442
Also, front wheel drive and a big block is something everyone should experience.
Funny you sayed that, ive been dreaming of trying such a thing even once
Old Jan 29, 2017 | 07:32 PM
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I have non buyers remorse for passing up a W34 years ago for 3k. for $600 how can you lose?
Old Jan 29, 2017 | 11:15 PM
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Originally Posted by The_Jeremiah
Front grills were stolen :/ but I got some money off for that. So if anyone has an extra pair I'm in the market. Looks like I need to find a vinyl top
try to talk to John Dorcey in Las Vegas (via Facebook). 1st gen toronado enthusiast with a lot of parts cars
Old Jan 30, 2017 | 06:33 AM
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Now you need to post more pics!
Old Jan 30, 2017 | 07:42 AM
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Congrats. Only way you get hurt is if you try a 1000 pt restoration. Make it a nice driver & you are golden.
Old Jan 30, 2017 | 12:41 PM
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Oh cool! Now I have another reason to climb the pass.
Hey don't forget you have one in line ahead of this. LOL


(is this what your FB message was? couldn't see pic)
Old Jan 30, 2017 | 08:24 PM
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Paint jail project! Thoughts? I really like it.
Old Jan 31, 2017 | 03:11 AM
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That was a hell of a deal, almost at scrap price for it's weight.
You might luck out on the crank as previously stated, I did on one I bought years ago just for the engine.
You're in for a real nice ride there, a high comp. Toro is an experience everyone needs to enjoy, believe me.
Good Luck!!

Greg
Old Jan 31, 2017 | 05:18 AM
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That's an awesome car! Let us know how you fare getting it running.
Old Jan 31, 2017 | 05:46 AM
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couldn't go wrong for $600. If you still have buyers remorse and live close to me I can take it off your hands
Old Jan 31, 2017 | 07:41 AM
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Got the toro into the shop last night. How often do you see drum brake, no a/c, no cruise toronados?, this one is very plain jane. I like it. odometer says 75k, I believe it's 75 and not 175 because she runs beautiful, and she's clean under the hood. Does have one one small hole in the roof. Won't be Be a problem with a new top though.
Old Jan 31, 2017 | 09:15 AM
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Nice save!
Old Jan 31, 2017 | 11:58 AM
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Fix the rust, pull the vinyl, and rock it as is.
Old Jan 31, 2017 | 01:39 PM
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What a cool car! Congrats on your new acquisition! Excellent score!
Old Jan 31, 2017 | 01:53 PM
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Seen bluecabs thread? https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...tml#post812992
Old Feb 3, 2017 | 01:45 PM
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Check the trans code for OM instead of OJ. Also look for dual exhaust and cutout bumper, and a weird little vacuum switch in the LH radiator tank. If it has all that stuff odds are it's a 400 horsepower W34, rare as hell and a pure blast to drive.

But as someone pointed out, combination of 375-horse 455 and FWD is enough to make you feel good where you pee.

Drums were standard, no A/C not unusual for Pacific Northwest, and cruise was a very rare option on any car in 1968- even cars like Toronado. 68 was last year for Dana/Perfect Circle electric motor driven cruise and it was a complex system that is near impossible to service now. 69 moved to the much simpler D/PC governor/vacuum cruise unit.

Last edited by rocketraider; Feb 3, 2017 at 01:50 PM.
Old Feb 3, 2017 | 05:16 PM
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Jeremiah, I went by my friends shop and took some pictures of the 1968 parts car. The bumper looks usable, but each grill panel has cracks around the edges. The honeycomb centers look good, so I don't know if you'd be able to glue the broken surrounds or not. John

DSCN7484.jpg

DSCN7482.jpg

DSCN7483.jpg
Old Feb 3, 2017 | 11:06 PM
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Trans appears appears to be OJ code. Single exhaust.

2blue442, I just need the honeycomb and a good bumper. I'm not worried about the surrounds. Mine are in ok shape. I am making about list I'll have to talk to you about.

I decided to just paint the roof, vinyl top is too much. And they are hard on the metal.
Old Feb 4, 2017 | 08:37 PM
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That's a cool score. CONGRATS!
Old Feb 11, 2017 | 02:31 PM
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I still need to get pictures, but I have been working a lot of hours lately... I have to say, this car runs amazing, been tinkering with it a bit. I dont know why, but the carb # says 71 buick 455. The things that happen to these rigs over the years, hard to understand. I will get pictures soon!
Old Feb 12, 2017 | 08:31 PM
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The Buick carbs have the funky linkage and are supposed to be 800 cfm. That is an awesome car for $600.
Old Feb 15, 2017 | 01:13 PM
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Old Feb 18, 2017 | 03:13 PM
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looks good, they are fun cruisers. i had a 69 i paid $500 for drove it for a few months then pulled the motor and sold the car for $600. engine had a fairly recent rebuild too, and is now sitting in my 62 cutlass.
Old Feb 19, 2017 | 06:41 AM
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I would guess the motor may have been swapped out. The 455's in 68 Toro's left Lansing with a green metallic colour.

Excellent price for a running and mobile 68 anything!
Old Feb 21, 2017 | 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by chazzer
I would guess the motor may have been swapped out. The 455's in 68 Toro's left Lansing with a green metallic colour.

Excellent price for a running and mobile 68 anything!
I dont think so, I dont understand why its been repainted, but the block is a 396021 F, and the heads are C, it appears fairly original, odometer says 75k. If you take a close look, everything has overspray, the engine was painted in a hurry. i wouldnt be surprised if it just had some head work done or something like that
Old Feb 22, 2017 | 03:31 AM
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There you have it. Awesome!
Old Feb 23, 2017 | 01:07 PM
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Nice buy: How about patching the roof hole(s) and then use sprayed truck liner black paint to give the two tone look, a durable covering, and the glued sprayed material will not allow water to sit between the cover and the roof metal? Just my .02 cents. You then leave the trim and you get the factory two tone look without the worry of replacing the roof one day. I have a 67 Toro yellow/black no vinal top, 99K and I am second owner. Nice cars for sure. I also had a way loaded 79 for 13 years. The 79 was a way different type of car, very nice for what it was, 350 Olds, sunroof, 8 track, and no vinal top. I hope you enjoy yours for years. trent in Los Angeles

Last edited by vistacruiser1971; Feb 23, 2017 at 01:09 PM.
Old Feb 23, 2017 | 08:52 PM
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Originally Posted by vistacruiser1971
Nice buy: How about patching the roof hole(s) and then use sprayed truck liner black paint to give the two tone look, a durable covering, and the glued sprayed material will not allow water to sit between the cover and the roof metal? Just my .02 cents. You then leave the trim and you get the factory two tone look without the worry of replacing the roof one day. I have a 67 Toro yellow/black no vinal top, 99K and I am second owner. Nice cars for sure. I also had a way loaded 79 for 13 years. The 79 was a way different type of car, very nice for what it was, 350 Olds, sunroof, 8 track, and no vinal top. I hope you enjoy yours for years. trent in Los Angeles
Not a bad idea
Old May 6, 2017 | 08:34 AM
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I did the truck bed liner idea. I did not do the best job. but it really makes the car look good. Also the poor thing needed a piston. But I got it done.

2017042995194657_zpsvthlrx2d.jpg
Old May 7, 2017 | 02:56 PM
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Hi Jeremiah: Glad it worked out. How about some closer photos of the roof so we get an idea of the texture. I really like the style of the two color top with the stainless trim around the edge of the roof color and then the body color right next to it before the windows. Nice. Plus you have a good color combination. How about spinning the wheels and hold a thin red paint brush to make some redline tires?? I also like the background scenery in your photo, trees, grass, and the smaller road look nice and peaceful. In the far distance it that hills or water? Do you mind saying which state the photo was taken? Regards, Trent in Los Angeles



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