This car was a bit of an automotive flop. When creating a new "personal luxury car" for its Oldsmobile division, GM decided to try something new, something distinctive: front-wheel drive. This was the first car produced in the U.S. to have front-wheel drive since the 1937 Cord; another flop, but an elegant flop. The Toronado was...well, not as elegant. Its styling was awkward and quirky, and the American people were not pleased. Despite its power (385 horsepower from a 425 cu in V8) and performance (0-60 in 7.5 seconds and a top speed of 135 mph), buyers went with the more traditional Buick Riviera and Cadillac Eldorado, and by 1971, the Toronado had morphed to be just another huge, bland 70's coupe.
Not unlike the Empire State Building, the Toronado's monumental size is an important part of its look and its presence. I just don't see how a coupe can be both huge and bland anymore - in 2011, how big the car is keeps it from being bland.
I will admit that this Toronado needs some TLC, but it was absolutely not a flop. The first year it sold 40k which was twice what GM expected. Remember this was a $6,000.00 average priced luxury car in 1966, that is $44,000.00 in today's money. It was the 1966 Motor Trend Car of the year and even got third place in the 1966 European Car of the Year. The Toronado's exaggerated wheel arches have been copied copied by all manufactures. Just take a look at all the late model cars going down the road. Almost every car has similar styled wheel arches. Now tell me a car that had them prior to the 1966 Toronado...
A gold 66 T was the first car I ever drove. I learned to drive on it.My dad had the only one in the area for a while and believe me, it turned heads!!!
Best of OPC. 
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This car was a bit of an automotive flop. When creating a new "personal luxury car" for its Oldsmobile division, GM decided to try something new, something distinctive: front-wheel drive. This was the first car produced in the U.S. to have front-wheel drive since the 1937 Cord; another flop, but an elegant flop. The Toronado was...well, not as elegant. Its styling was awkward and quirky, and the American people were not pleased. Despite its power (385 horsepower from a 425 cu in V8) and performance (0-60 in 7.5 seconds and a top speed of 135 mph), buyers went with the more traditional Buick Riviera and Cadillac Eldorado, and by 1971, the Toronado had morphed to be just another huge, bland 70's coupe.
Not unlike the Empire State Building, the Toronado's monumental size is an important part of its look and its presence. I just don't see how a coupe can be both huge and bland anymore - in 2011, how big the car is keeps it from being bland.
I will admit that this Toronado needs some TLC, but it was absolutely not a flop. The first year it sold 40k which was twice what GM expected. Remember this was a $6,000.00 average priced luxury car in 1966, that is $44,000.00 in today's money. It was the 1966 Motor Trend Car of the year and even got third place in the 1966 European Car of the Year. The Toronado's exaggerated wheel arches have been copied copied by all manufactures. Just take a look at all the late model cars going down the road. Almost every car has similar styled wheel arches. Now tell me a car that had them prior to the 1966 Toronado...
A gold 66 T was the first car I ever drove. I learned to drive on it.My dad had the only one in the area for a while and believe me, it turned heads!!!
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