1978 OLDSMOBILE TORONADO BROUGHAM - STILL FRONT WHEEL DRIVE

The Cord automobile was the first built with front wheel drive, but the Oldsmobile Toronado, debuting in 1966, could be considered the first mass produced front wheel drive car. Imagine how many cars today are now front wheel drive. This unique engineering feature makes the Toronado a historical vehicle make. The example shown here is 12 years from the '66 model and still has that fwd. The Toronado has the largest Olds engine: a V8, 403 cid powerhouse that produced 185 - 190 horses. The Toronado was created along with the Cadillac Eldorado to reach a certain peg in the market but the Eldo didn't have fwd. This example is an excellent original survivor, one of 22,362 Brougham Coupes made this year and cost a princely sum of $9,412 srp. The reason this Olds is in such pristine condition is because it only has 45,000 miles on the clock. I really like this supple and luxurious dark red leather interior and the sun roof. So, take a look at this engineering wonder and I'm sure you'll like it also. Thanks very much for viewing this '66 Olds Toronado.

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Autos & Vehicles

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[rogerstill71]

I think the HP rating is awfully low for a 403.

[55lincoln]

@rogerstill71 I think you're right. All I can state about HP is from my reference book. Probably closer to 400 hp. My 76 Lincoln is rated at 200 hp with a 460. But it really is close to 400.

[rogerstill71]

@55lincoln I think the manufacturers purposely under-rated the HP for insurance purposes... Mom's 413 dynoed at 380 something when the car was 9 years old (it had just had a ring and valve job) (or so my Dad told me about the dyno) and the mill was factory rated at 350 HP when new.

[55lincoln]

@rogerstill71 You know, I think you may have something there. I didn't think of that but it makes sense. You hit the nail on the head. Thanks again.

[55lincoln]

@hristo369 :))) back at ya.

[hristo369]

@55lincoln :)))

[55lincoln]

@hristo369 Hey thanks for enjoying this Toronado and other American machines.

[hristo369]

Yeah,yeah,yeah beautiful car, I love American machines \m/

[55lincoln]

@itsmegp46 You're right, the early Eldorados from the 50's was not fwd but after the Toronado was created then the Eldo's were also fwd. I liked those Eldo's also. And, I'm sure that living in New England, that fwd comes in very handy. I enjoy fwd here in the midwest rain, snow, or dry conditions, it just makes traction and handling a lot easier. Thanks for enjoying this Toronado.

[itsmegp46]

The Eldorado did not start out with FWD back in the 1950's,but it was FWD sometime after the Toronado debuted, maybe one or two model years. It lasted until the model was discontinued in the late 1990's. But great car and btw, I am a big fan of FWD living in New England.