1971 Oldsmobile Toronado from North America - Comments

I rebuilt the window motors when they got weak.

Replaced CV joints after purchasing car and did a brake job too since they were due. Partly why original owner sold me the car.

Replaced water pump at around 145000 miles.

Rebuilt A/c system at about 170000 miles.

Normal maintenance items and some lights replaced.

These cars were well built, and were very reliable when maintained. Keeping fresh shocks on the car is key to keeping the suspension in good shape and preventing a lot of squeaks and rattles. A lot of these cars you come across were sold cheap when gas was a big issue. Unfortunately buyers looking for a cheap ride are not inclined to spend money on preventative maintenance work, resulting in people "driving them till they drop". I got mine from the original owner who was very meticulous. The car was garaged and regularly serviced, and driven sensibly. As for performance, mileage was so-so at about 13-16mpg, but if you wanted it to this monster would roast the front tires to well over 60 mph from a stand-still. And do it quietly, too. My friends called it the "Flying Recliner". I gave it to a friend in financial straights. I will soon start a total restoration of a 1966 model.

It is nice to see one of these old boats that has put on so many miles. I have a 1970, and after 35 years and 140,000 miles, it runs like a top. Mine lived in New York and is now with me in Minnesota, and for most of its life was very well taken care of. For living in such salty states, there is not that much rust. I need to get a few minor things fixed on the undercarriage, but I will certainly give this car what it needs and hope to make the two century mark. I use it as a semi-daily driver, and my commute is mostly highway miles, but this is a very dependable old car; the only three times the car left me stranded were a result of the stinkin' battery ground cable.

I owned a 1971 Olds Toronado. What a car! 455, 4 barrel,

the thing could move... Would love to experience that sensation again ---- personal luxury, and pretty darn fast!

Do you know where I can find a 1971 or 1972 Oldsmobile Toronado I look on the Internet, but they seem to be few and far between. I have managed to find two 1972 Toronados, but one was not for sale and the other had been sold.

I guess many of them have been sent to the crusher and since not many 1971 and 1972 Oldsmobile Toronados were produced due to it being an limited edition expensive luxury car when many of them were sent to the crusher there will be fewer left than if it had been a mass produced car such as for example the Chevrolet Impala.

Many Impalas of this era have also been sent to the crusher, but for some since many were made, there is still quite a few of them left. I found particularly many 1966-1968 Impalas.

I am thirty six years old and by the time I was able to drive, cars of this era were already too old too purchase. I received my license in 1986 so therefore these beautiful behemoths were already fourteen to fifteen years old.

I remember when I was seven years old, which would have been 1977, I saw a 1971 or 1972 Oldsmobile Toronado for sale in a used car lot called Auto Brokers which was in Madison, N.J. since the 1971 and 1972 Toronado look almost identical I could not distinguish the year. The other cars in the lot were a 1968 Pontiac Catalina, a 1970 Pontiac Grand Prix , a 1972 Chrysler 300,a 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner, a 1971 or 1972 Javelin, and a 1969 Chrysler Imperial Le Baron However, looking back if I had my drivers license at the time I definitely would have chosen the Torondo over all the rest of them without a doubt.

A friend of my father had a 1974 Oldsmobile Toronado which shares the same body-shell as the 1971 and 1972, but I think the 1971 and 1972 were more handsome.

I am currently in the market for wishing to find a well-kept 1971 or 1972 Oldsmobile Toronado. I know that even though these cars are not collectors items, finding one in pristine condition will be costly. I think that you would need to spend at least $8,000 to find one in reasonable condition and at least $10,000 for one in pristine condition. I have my heart settled on these two years, but if I cannot find one I will probably purchase a 1966 Buick Riviera or a 1963 Buick Riviera or possibly a 1970 Oldsmobile Toronado since they seem to be more common.

I cannot believe that a car as beautiful as the late sixties, early seventies Toronado is so overlooked. People today prefer S.U.V.s which even though practical are dull as dishwater and plug ugly.

I think many people today feel that cars of this category are obsolete today. Not just because of their age, but also because of the type of car they were. As beautiful as these cars were they were not practical in comparison to station wagons and traditional family cars from the same era.

Even though Toronado's had substantial luggage space, there seems to be a great disparity between the size outside and inside of the car. It seems that leg room in the front would be ample, but I doubt it would be ample in the back.

Anyway I would appreciate it if you can tell me where would be the best place to look to find one of these overlooked forgotten and under valued beautiful beasts from the past.

In response to person looking for 71 or 72 Oldsmobile Toronado, we have a 71 Toronado (in excellent condition) for sale. Car is in New Zealand, but if that doesn't faze you, please email me at sharron@ccgnz.com for photos and further info.

TO the gentleman looking for a 71 Tornado- We have one in Michigan. Will check and see if husband is interested in selling. Email: mmacarthur@charter.net.

1972 Toronado Memories...

Grandma was a wealthy and attractive woman (everyone said she looked like Loretta Young), widowed in her late forties in 1966 by the death of Granddad, who was much older than she. Granddad's family was in the tobacco business in Eastern Pennsylvania, and he went on to run the tobacco company until his untimely death at the age of 63. In those times, flaunting one's "bling" was just not done, but many well-to-do types projected a sort of quiet elegance - owning and driving the classy yet understated offerings of GM's upper-crust divisions, but avoiding the flash of a new Cadillac. Having always been an "Oldsmobile" family, it was only logical that Grandma would buy the top of the line when the time came (in 1972) for a new car.

What a thing of beauty it was; A jet-black toronado with a metal roof and plain wheel covers. No frou-frou, no landau top or fake wire-wheel hub caps. Just that long hood jutting out in front, and those unusual high-mounted tail lights lending interest to the rear. Dual-exhausts let just a mellow, baritone rumble escape, suggesting massive amounts of reserve power. It had a deep brown vinyl interior and just oozed class. One look and you knew that it was something special, and by default, so were its passengers.

I'll never forget the feeling of visits to Grandma's for the weekend (I was about 10 years old then) and all of us riding in supreme comfort as we took day trips to nearby sights, or went out to eat in an adjacent city. We totaled six in all, yet there was room and comfort to spare. Everywhere we went, you could see people admiring that Toronado - Grandma always kept it spotless. I have yet to top the feeling of riding home in the backseat with a full belly, Dad driving, the beautiful countryside of Lancaster Co. whizzing by in the fading light, the sounds of Grandma's charm bracelet clinking, that 455 rumbling reassuringly in the far background, and everything right with the world to a boy of 10... what a nice memory!

I have many more observations and a few fun stories involving that Toronado. I'll stop for now, but if anyone is interested, let me know and I'll continue...

I'm thinking about purchasing a 1980 toronado. it has the 5.0 lt. engine, puts out about 300 horses. I was wondering if anyone could give me any input on this particular year. thanks.

I would say that a 1980 5.0L (307) is only good for 160hp, unless it was heavily modified.

I have a 71' Tornado for sale. The car is in solid shape. Anyone interested please let me know.

General Motors was undoubtedly the paramount of automobile innovation for many decades. Such fabulous designs of yesteryear. I personally have a deep appreciation for Oldsmobile's grandest engineering marvel: The Toronado. The first generation Toronados: (1966-1970) were the most unique; the second generation Toronados: (1971-1978) were still handsome automobiles that focused more on luxury. Toronado sales increased with the introduction of the 1971 model. The third generation Toronados: (1979-1985) marked an end of an era for the Toronado. These third generation Toronados may have been down of horsepower and suffered some drive-ability problems: (5.7 liter diesel engines), but they still had that unique Toronado sytle, comfort and elegance led by the styling team of the late great, incredibly talented Bill Mitchell. As the owner of a 1970 Toronado, I can only say that this car is superb; a true gem of automotive excellence.

To the person selling the 1971 oldsmobile toronado, I am interested in purchasing your car, please give me more details.

My mother owns a 1977 Metallic Blue Oldsmobile Tornado. The model with the wrap-around all glass rear window. The car is like new having been garaged (off the road) since the mid-eighties. It has 36,000 original miles. I am looking for information as to the value of this vehicle. If you have any ideas, please email me at pchristjohn@atlanticbb.net. Thank you!

My first car was a 1972 Toronado, and I wish I had it back. I am still looking for a car that I like as much. The carburetor was a Rochester quadrajet, and I had it rebuilt, and man the power that car had was awesome. If anyone around Easley S.C. has one for sale, please let me know. Thanks.