Power to the front wheels? Safety first? Why not?
The Toronado was one of a very small list of luxury sports cars to use front wheel drive in the 1960s and 70s, alongside its General Motors-made sisters, the Cadillac Eldorado and Buick Riviera. The Toronado was unveiled in 1966, and production continued all the way to 1992 across four distinct generations.
The second generation of the Toronado ran from 1971 to 1978 and introduced two notable safety features. First, a pair of tail lights was mounted just below the rear windshield, over the trunk, serving as the predecessors to the later federally mandated third brake light. Second, the Toronado was to be a test-bed for General Motors’ “Air Cushion Restraint System”, which eventually evolved into driver and passenger-side airbags that, again, would become federally mandated. With all these firsts under its belt, the Toronado is a curious and storied platform for automotive collectors and historians alike. This 1977 Oldsmobile Toronado is draped in stunning Firethorn Red, with a matching Brougham trim interior that elevates the experience. You can see the full listing by clicking here!
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A Firethorn in your ride
The main event on this Oldsmobile Toronado is the Firethorn Red paint scheme draped from bumper to bumper. This iconic metallic paint was a staple of 1970s GM branding, most notably used on the legendary Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. We’re sure you’ll agree that it looks stunning on this Toronado as well.
Much like its sister, the Cadillac Eldorado, a long, wide body and similar front end define the Toronado. The profile dabbles with gentle curves and sloping lines, ending in a flat 90-degree angle up front, and a still sharp but more angular transition at the rear. The wheels are rather small for a car this size, but look right at home with thin white wall tires and chrome hubcaps. Square headlights, thin taillights, and chunky bumpers round out the exterior, giving it that cool, defining American land yacht vibe.
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Putting the ‘red’ in ‘red, white, and blue’
Later-year Toronados were offered in two trim packages: standard and ‘Brougham’. This 1977 Toronado is the latter, benefitting from a plush cabin that turned any drive into a relaxing time on grandma’s sofa. Voluminous red cut-pile carpeting fills the footwells, matching the split 60/40 bench seat and its folding armrest.
Everything in the cabin is red, from the door panels to the seats to the dash. The long, lean instrumentation panels are subtle and stay out of the driver’s way unless needed. The two-spoke steering wheel, red of course, is wearing an American Flag cover to remind you that you’re driving the quintessential image of 1970s America.
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Not all V8s are created equal
Unfortunately for this Toronado, the 1977 and 1978 models saw the original 455 ci (7.45L) V8 engines downgraded to a smaller 403 ci (6.60L) V8 engine for emissions compliance reasons. While more fuel efficient, this is sadly not the most powerful Toronado on the road, which to some might be a real disappointment. There is still ample power, however, even in these smaller engines, with 185 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque sent to the front wheels by a three-speed automatic transmission.
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Final thoughts
Overall, the Toronado is a unique part of American and General Motors’ history. This car wasn’t afraid to try out new and unusual technologies, including front-wheel drive and new safety features that would later become industry standards. This particular 1977 example benefits from the iconic Firethorn Red finish, with a matching interior that feels homey and comfortable thanks to the Brougham trim package. This car certainly has a place in the history books, and maybe it has a place in your driveway as well.
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