Hello, my brother-in-law has a 1983 Oldsmobile Toronado Caliente Convertible. He says that it is one of the first twelve that were sent to a coach builder and turned into convertibles, before they were offered from the production line. He said it also has the chrome plated steel wire wheels and not the usual polished aluminum or stainless wheels. The car is black with a black top and a tan interior. The car has been sitting for years and is awaiting his restoration.

He sometimes embellishes the truth a little.

I was just wondering if this was true or not?

 

I've never heard of a Toronado convertible.

 

I've seen Toronado convertibles before, but just don't know if any were sent to a coach builder in 1983 to become convertibles.

 

The Caliente name was used as an option package on 1984 and 1985 Toronados. There's no mention of the name being used in 1983.

There were several instances of Toronados of this era being taken aside and made into convertibles by aftermarket coach builders. I think the same thing was done with Cadillac Eldorados.


Apparently even GM made Toronado convertibles for special occasions. Check this out.

1985 OLDSMOBILE TORONADO CONVERTIBLE

http://www.autabuy.com/Vehicles/Deta...Model=TORONADO

 

The convertibles were all aftermarket conversions. See this thread:

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...nvertible.html

 

Toronado convertibles were done at Hess and Eisenhardt in Cincinnati, Ohio. I worked at Fred Stecker Oldsmobile in Euclid Ohio from 1977 to 1982 and the owner bought 2 new Toro converts for his personal car, both black with black top and tan leather interior, loaded with every option available. He ordered them from Lansing. They coordinated the top job with H&E. They were well done cars. Both were sold to new car buyers when he was tired of them. He only drove Toros. I have seen 5 or 6 of them over the years, and once in a while one will show up on ebay. H&E also converted some Cutlass Cieras to convertibles. One recently sold on ebay I believe in Ohio.

Joe Varley
Scottsdale, AZ.

 

Here is a few pics of one that I saw at an Olds cruise night a few years back, it was for sale....

 

Yaa.. I've seen one of those floating around here...white with a red interior...might even belong to a friend of mine that has a few cars...I gotta think about this

 

There is a 1983 Toronado conv for sale in Wells,Maine.