This 1972 Oldsmobile Toronado is a definite head-turner - it's one outstanding example of inspired early '70s automotive styling. This seldom seen classic is running great, riding smooth and features a fresh exterior to go along with the sizable V8 engine lurking under its hood. With its initial release in the mid-'60s, the Toronado gained a reputation as a futuristic model for good reason - it actually began life as a design painting by an Oldsmobile... stylist that was an entirely aesthetic exercise, as there were no initial plans to actually build the car. The response to the rendering among GM's designers and top brass was enthusiastic and swift, so Oldsmobile was soon given the go-ahead for production and, while the model met with strong success, its popularity really hit a new level when the second generation, of which this '72 is a member, debuted. It's an unabashed luxury car, with a lengthy front end to harbor big block power and a spacious cabin for passengers to ride in comfort. The Cameo white shade it wears is its original color and a freshening up a while back was well-performed, so it's looking very sharp. Up front, the pair of twin headlights sit over a one of a kind, vertically slatted grille and as you circle the car, you'll notice its body alignment is very precise and the black vinyl crowning its roof looks supple and well-fitted. This is one very stylish ride. Inside the doors, everything appears to be original, so the overall condition displayed here is a welcome surprise. The seating remains in good shape, with well-fitted cloth covers over both rows of bench seating and door panels to each side that still look pretty fresh and sit snugly against their surrounding steel. The dash area is impressively clean, with a pad across the top that's yet to develop any cracks and a collection of gauges in the instrument cluster that are clear and readable. There's a substantial amount of interior space on hand, with plenty of real estate to allow your backseat passengers to stretch out. For a car of its era, there's also an impressive collection of comfort and convenience features on board, including cruise control, power locks and windows, power seats, a steering column that both tilts and telescopes to arrive at just the right driving position, as well as air conditioning. A 455 cubic inch V8 sits between the shock towers in the very expansive engine compartment, still armed with its original 4-barrel Quadrajet carb. The big block is running great, starting right up and pulling strong as it teams with a 3-speed automatic transmission that shifts securely. A number of components were recently replaced to up this Toronado's dependability during real world driving, including the brake booster, hoses and wires, and the ride that this Oldsmobile offers is surprisingly smooth. Power brakes - with discs up front - give it plenty of fade-resistant stopping ability, while smooth power steering makes this sizable ride easy to navigate. It's a real attention-getter as it rolls on its set of 15" stock Oldsmobile wheels outfitted with Goodyear Decathlon tires. This 1972 Oldsmobile Toronado offers the chance to put a stylish, rare and strong running early '70s classic in your garage at a great price. Call today!
|