The First Oldsmobile Toronado Was a Technological Marvel and Instant Classic

It's hard to understate just how radical the Toronado was when it was released from Oldsmobile in 1966 - there was nothing else on the road quite like it, either mechanically or stylistically.

It was built during a high point for GM, and even the country at large - It was a couple of years before societal chaos would take hold, and another few before gas and emissions issues would spark the malaise era. It was the perfect time for a radical car.

And the Toronado was indeed radical. It was the first front-wheel-drive American car since the Cords of the 1930s, and had dozens of other innovations to boot. The styling matched the mechanicals, with a low roofline, long beak, and swept-down tail. If radical was the order of the day, the Toronado looked the part.

This is a full review and test drive of a 1968 Oldsmobile Toronado, with an in-depth tour of the car and a brief discussion of how it was made, and the players involved. Vehicle was loaned from a private collection, and is not for sale.

Videos referenced:

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