Oldsmobile Toronado 403 cubic inch V8 1978
General description :
53,771 miles. Smooth and torquey 403 cubic inch V8. Great color combination. Loaded with options. Lifetime Florida car. Runs and drives great, very clean inside and out. Oldsmobile’s iconic front-wheel-drive luxury car, ready to cruise.
The first Oldsmobile Toronado in 1966 was a game-changer: front-wheel-drive in a full-sized luxury coupe. It gave the Toro great road manners and even into the ‘70s, the combination of a big V8 pulling instead of pushing lent these cars a distinctive personality. 1978 was the final year for the truly immense Toronados, riding on a giant 122-inch wheelbase and showcasing about an acre of sheetmetal. The angular Toronado bodywork has aged well and looks awesome today, with a crisply folded look that stands out among its Eldorado cousins. There’s about six feet of hood out front leading the way, and we especially like the little dive the fender line takes as it hits the doors, a detail picked up again in the quarters. This car appears to have been repainted once in its original code 79 Dark Carmine and it looks great today with a deep shine and great panel alignment, particularly for 1978. This car spent the entirety of its life in Florida, away from harsh weather and salt, so it’s extremely clean with none of the issues in the usual spots. It also features one of the most unique design features of the 1970s—those high-mounted taillights sitting atop the trunk. Common today, but ground-breaking in 1978. You’ll also find plenty of shiny trim, all of which is in great shape, as well as the padded half roof, which appears to be original with no signs of rust bubbling underneath. There’s some delamination around the opera windows, but it’s not particularly noticeable even close up.
The dark red cloth interior is pure 1970s funky, with deeply padded velour chairs, button-tufted seating surfaces, and carpets deep enough to swallow a quarter. Oldsmobile wrapped the dash around the driver, putting all the controls as his fingertips and let the passenger just enjoy the ride. The seats are still comfortable and there are no splits or tears in the upholstery, which is rather remarkable all by itself. The original carpets are protected by a factor mat, which is virtually impossible to replace today and the door panels are in great shape. The car appears to be loaded with virtually every option you could get, including power windows and locks, power seats, dual remote mirrors, A/C, cruise control, tilt steering column, and twilight sentinel for the headlights and it all works except the wipers. Even the original AM/FM/8-track radio works (including the power antenna) along with the clock that still keeps time. It might just be the nicest $15,000 car we’ve ever had! The back seat looks unused, and if I had to name the demerits, it’s a missing dome light lens and a crack in the dash that’s probably inevitable after a lifetime in the Florida sun. The trunk is upholstered in black and gray carpet and includes the original cardboard bulkheads that are in nice shape, as well as a full-sized spare and jack assembly.
Oldsmobile’s 403 cubic inch V8 was a workhorse throughout the ‘70s, and in the big Toronado it provides the kind of effortless torque that makes big cars feel so luxurious. It’s also easy to service and parts are still plentiful, so keeping it in top health should be easy in the future. With a 4-barrel carburetor on top, it steps out pretty well from rest, but where it really shines is on the open road where this big coupe just loafs along at highway speeds. There are no modifications or significant alterations and the factory equipment remains intact. It starts easily, idles nicely, and just goes about its business without a lot of fuss, just as you’d expect. The TH425 3-speed automatic is simply a TH400 turned backwards and tucked in next to the oil pan, so it’s virtually indestructible and with 2.73 gears in the front differential, it’s a peerless highway cruiser. The front suspension is by torsion bars, which explains the cushy ride, and the brakes are effective. There’s a new muffler and tailpipe, but the original catalytic converter remains in place, more evidence of this car’s easy life, and it sits on recent 235/75/15 whitewall radials with factory hubcaps on the unique FWD wheels.
We didn’t expect to like this car as much as we do. It makes a great first impression and holds up under scrutiny. Sure, it’s a 50-year-old car, but luxury was different in the ‘70s and this Olds is the epitome of American personal transportation. It has obviously been well maintained, it looks dynamite, and it always seems to attract more than its fair share of attention—after all, when was the last time you saw one? Call today!
Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.
http://www.harwoodmotors.com/vehicles/inventory_details.php?id=1582
1978 Oldsmobile Toronado 403 cubic inch V8 is listed sold on ClassicDigest in Macedonia by for $14900.
Car Facts
Car type : Car Make : Oldsmobile Model : Toronado Model Version : 403 cubic inch V8 Engine size : 0.0 Model Year : 1978 Location : Ohio
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About Oldsmobile
Ah, Oldsmobile, the very name conjures up images of classic American automobiles and the open road. Let's embark on a leisurely journey through the annals of automotive history with this venerable brand.Our story begins in 1897 when a man named Ransom Eli Olds founded the Olds Motor Vehicle Company. He wasn't the first to build cars, but he was a pioneer in mass production techniques. In 1901, Oldsmobile introduced the "Curved Dash" Olds, widely considered one of the first mass-produced automobiles in the United States. It was simple, reliable, and affordable, making it accessible to the masses.
Fast forward a few decades to the 1930s, and we encounter one of Oldsmobile's most iconic creations, the Oldsmobile Rocket 88. This was a car that not only looked cool with its sleek design but also packed a punch under the hood. The Rocket 88 featured a powerful V8 engine, earning it the nickname "the first muscle car." It was a true American classic, a car that epitomized the spirit of the open road and the freedom of post-war America.
As we approach the 1950s, Oldsmobile continued to innovate. The Oldsmobile Fiesta, introduced in 1953, was notable for being one of the first cars to feature a fully wraparound windshield, a design feature that would become a hallmark of the era. It also showcased the brand's commitment to luxury and style.
But perhaps the zenith of Oldsmobile's excellence came in the 1960s with the Oldsmobile 4-4-2, a car that was both sporty and practical. The 4-4-2 stood for 4-barrel carburetor, 4-speed manual transmission, and dual exhausts. It was a muscle car for those who wanted power without sacrificing comfort. It was the embodiment of the American muscle car era.
Then there was the Oldsmobile Cutlass, a car that became an American institution. It was a family sedan, a sports car, and a luxury car all rolled into one. The Cutlass was reliable, comfortable, and versatile, making it one of the best-selling cars in American automotive history.
Sadly, as the years went by, Oldsmobile faced challenges, and the brand that had once been a symbol of American automotive innovation and excellence ceased production in 2004. It marked the end of an era.
But the legacy of Oldsmobile lives on in the hearts of car enthusiasts, collectors, and anyone who appreciates the classic American automobile. It's a brand that gave us some of the most iconic cars in automotive history, a brand that embodied the American dream of freedom, mobility, and style.
So here's to Oldsmobile, a name that will forever be associated with the golden age of American automobiles and the enduring spirit of adventure on the open road.