eBay Find of the Day: Twin-Engine Toronado
Most people that want to have prodigious amounts of torque and horsepower simply slap on a supercharger or a turbocharger or two and call it a day. Back in the 60's, a guy by the name of Grant McCoon, who owned the Grant Piston Ring Company, decided the best way to add might to his car was to throw a second engine in the trunk.
The car in question, a 1966 Olds Toronado, actually has two engines and four wheel drive, since each engine operates the closest two wheels. The two combined engines total 760 horsepower, and the car's owner claims the vehicle hit 100 mph in only 11 seconds. The rear engine doesn't take up any room from the back seat, and it has it's own tachometer on the dash. The 41 year old vehicle still looks great, with virtually no rust, and no dents to mention. The owner claims the vehicle hasn't been driven in 31 years, and it still carries its 1976 license plates. Dozens of people have already bid on this rare commodity, and the price is around $25,000. If you're looking for something truly unique and a blown engine just won't do, this 760 HP classic is waiting for you.
Thanks for the tip, Paul!
[Source: eBay]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
chuck goolsbee 12:26PM (5/01/2007)
Where's the brake lights?
I bet this thing understeers like it doesn't even acknowledge the steer. ;)
--chuck
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JGN 12:29PM (5/01/2007)
Two engines, probably one gas tank. I guess you could have a lot of fun driving from gas station to gas station.
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Seabass 1:03PM (5/01/2007)
This car is just all kinds of wrong. Great idea, huge balls, but wrong.
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Mike Beversluis 1:27PM (5/01/2007)
Warren Mosler did something equally nuts with his push me, pull me Eldoraldo:
http://www.caranddriver.com/specialtyfiles/3563/specialty-file-mosler-twinstar-eldorado.html
Obviously, Jay Leno should have both of these.
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paul 1:32PM (5/01/2007)
this is too cool! a freak on the street! how much better can it get? this isn't about gas economy, this is one of a kind! i tip my hat to Grant McCoon
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Greg 2:02PM (5/01/2007)
Of course, you all remember the Hurst Hairy Olds, the dual V8 1967 Olds 442: http://www.oldsmobility.com/hursthairy.htm
Must see 4 wheel burnout:
http://www.oldsmobility.com/images/hursthairycenter_carcraft2.jpg
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mr.ed 3:56PM (5/01/2007)
Add about 15 grand to replace the dried out seals and gaskets, the rotted fuel and brake lines, etc. And notice the front tire is chocked with a brick. No Park position on the tranny any more, eh?
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Jason 4:32PM (5/01/2007)
I'd be scared to even start it up without a fire truck right next to me.
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Barney 5:10PM (5/01/2007)
He must have added another Toronado front drive to the rear. Lot's of work. There may be a reason it hadn't been driven in over three decades.
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spear 5:37PM (5/01/2007)
put it on a track and i'' beat it with a bicycle
and what kind of an asshole would put an auto in a car with that much (unecessary) power??
only in america, land of the lazy
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Paul Allen 7:18PM (5/01/2007)
Besides the fact that Toronado drivetrains were only available with automatic transmissions, there's another good reason to use them: It makes everything work.
When Car and Driver did their twin-engine CRX project car, they used two Accord engines with automatic trannies.
When asked what synchronizes the engines, they said simply, "The ground."
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Emor8t 11:47AM (5/02/2007)
Am I the only one that wants to say....
Ok.. Now supercharge it....
Yes, Yes I do have a death wish, and her name is speed.
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