West Coast Classics are proud to present a beautiful example of this 1969 Oldsmobile Toronado 2 Door Hardtop with it's original specification desirable custom interior option of 'Excella Pattern Cloth & Vinyl Strato Bench Seat' interior with it's original and rare front wheel drive 455ci 375HP 4 BBL 'Rocket' V8 engine matched to it's original Turbo-Hydra-matic 400 automatic transmission and loaded with factory options including:
Power Steering
Power Brakes
Wheel Trim Covers
Electric clock
Deluxe Steering wheel
Climate Control Heater & Air Conditioning
White sidewall tires ($49)
Vinyl Roof ($126)
Tilt & Telescopic Steering Wheel ($14)
6 Way Power Seat ($74)
Power Antenna
Power Trunk Release ($47)
AM Radio ($87)
Dual Exhausts
Finished in it's original factory 'Meadow Green' color paint (Paint Code 59) with it's original matching 'Green Excella Pattern Cloth & Vinyl Strato Bench Seat' interior, a factory ordered Black vinyl top and with it's original wheels and hubcaps. In 1969 the Toronado Custom interiors were a popular option, providing amenities the standard interior didn't offer, such as full-length door armrests with built-in provisions for the optional power windows and door locks controls. The full width Strato bench seat with center fold-down armrest was also part of the Custom interior package, and was becoming the standard for luxury car seating in 1969. The original 'Meadow Green' color was to prove so popular in 1969 that it was consequently offered on vehicles of every GM division.
The car will be sold with it's original owners manual and Protecto-plate showing it's original purchase date of 8/6/1969 at 'Harris Tunison Motors' of Albany, OR. From Oregon the car reportedly was sold to a collector in Massachusetts where it remained until last year when it was gifted to the collector's younger brother, a mechanic at a local Mercedes dealership, who lives in San Diego. The original interior was showing it's age and consequently the seat fabric and vinyl were replaced with original SMS specification 'Excella Pattern' reproductions. The car was repainted some years ago and the clearcoat had somewhat oxidized but it has now been color sanded and buffed with different grades of compound to bring back it's original luster. The front bumper has been rechromed and a vacuum actuator was sourced to lift the headlight doors. This has not yet been installed but will be included with the car and therefore please note that presently the head light doors need to be manually operated. Please also note that the original spare wheel and jack is still located in it's rightful place in the trunk.
Oldsmobile created the news of the year in 1966 with the introduction of the Toronado, a bold idea combining intriguing exquisite styling with every detail executed by the legendary Bill Mitchell and with sports car performance and which was also the first front wheel drive car (since the mid 30's Cord of which the Toronado would be compared by some) of the modern automotive era. It proved to be one of the most desirable Oldsmobiles ever produced. The Toronado was a full-size luxury sport car with a look unlike any other car on the road at the time, jutting front fenders, hidden headlamps, muscularly flared wheel arches and a cropped tail trailing a smooth fastback roofline makes these first generation models unmistakable even today.
It was a very large 2 Door Hardtop model distinguished by large rounded wheel cut outs, a sloping fastback roofline, a full-width grille with hidden headlights mounted between the grille and the hood line. The first generation Toronado (1966-67) had a 425 c.i. engine that unleashed 385 HP, plenty of horsepower to match any of its competition combined with exceptional traction, handling and performance. In a bid to fight off it's staid image, Oldsmobile had sought to defy convention when it introduced the Toronado. Rather than following the mainstream ideals of creating a muscle car by simply dropping a huge V8 into an exisiting bodyshell, GM's most traditional brand had chosen to turn the rulebook on it's head. The new looks were one thing but the engineering was something else with an enormous 7.4 liter (454 c.i.) big block V8 engine making for startling performance and it's unique front wheel drive technology, it would prove to be one of the most interesting US car's of its era which would have a huge influence on future car designs. The technology used in the Toronado, along with its ride and handling achievements garnered the Toronado the prestigious 1966 'Motor Trend' magazine 'Car of the Year' award!
By 1967 every model in the Oldsmobile line up was to be compared to the Toronado in some respect in the majority of its advertising. The car received only some very modest restyling with the only major appearance change being to the area round the headlight opening which was now made flush as opposed to the small indented area above the first years model and these first generation Toronado's now boast 'Milestone' status. By 1969, the top-of-the-line Oldsmobile had a loyal following and continued as a unique one model only line with only very minimal changes until 1970 when the headlights were exposed for the first time. Sadly in 1971 the Toronado would grow to unbelievable proportions and beyond these years the model is hardly collectible at all.
The original 455cid 375HP 4 barrel V8 engine with still correct factory colors is extremely strong and powerful and this particular car drives very well with the automatic transmission shifting smoothly throughout all the gears and the temperature always remaining cool!
This is one very rare and highly desirable example of a never abused and very original example of one of the outstanding muscle cars of the sixties, which has high repute amongst American classic muscle car collectors and obviously in particular Oldsmobile enthusiasts for both it's beautiful lines and smooth fast performance for a luxury coupe.
In summary, this is one great opportunity to own a great rust free example of the second generation (1968-70) Oldsmobile Toronado 2 Door Hardtop ; a very rare and correctly restored as necessary throughout the years model with it's original engine and a virtually completely original looking example of this increasingly collectible marque built for only four years in these most desirable first two generation versions (1966-67 & 1968-70) . A sure-fire investment that's sure to appreciate over the years for any classic American sixties muscle car collector!
