The defining side of immediately’s Nice Price or No Dice Toronado is the wrap-around rear window, a function restricted to the seemingly uncommon XS bundle. Let’s resolve if this literal barn discover can discover a new proprietor at its asking worth.
With its short-bed, customary cab format, and added-oomph Magnum V8, yesterday’s 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 Indy 500 Official Truck supplied about as a lot efficiency as Mopar may put in a truck on the time. That, and a clear presentation, supplied compelling justification for the vendor’s $10,000 asking worth. Unfortunately for them, the combo simply missed the mark, falling in a slender 55 % No Dice loss.
Whoever first mentioned, “Go big or go home,” most actually drove a automotive like immediately’s 1978 Oldsmobile Toronado XS. Olds cheekily referred to as out the automotive’s dimension on this mannequin’s badging, denoting the particular roof version as “XS” or extreme.
Olds launched the second-generation Toro for the 1971 mannequin yr. This was a time when American automobiles bought bigger with each ensuing new version, and the Toronado was no completely different in its second rodeo. The improve in wheelbase, weight, and total dimension was apparently the sensible transfer on Olds’ half since gross sales jumped by over 13 % over the outgoing mannequin. Considering the substantial dimension, it’s not stunning that GM was in a position to pack plenty of modern options into the Toro redux over the course of its run.
The Toronado might be finest identified for its distinctive FWD drivetrain, which packs an enormous block V8 subsequent to a bosom buddy THM425 three-speed computerized transaxle linked through a post-torque converter chain drive. Other improvements tried on the mannequin over the course of its seven-year run included redundant, high-mounted hind lights, torsion bar entrance suspension, and the provision of early variations of airbag security restraints and rear antilock brakes.
As denoted by that XS badge, this Toro has one extra modern and exceedingly cool function: a panoramic rear window that wraps all the best way round from B-pillar to B-pillar and gives unobstructed sight strains for the motive force. The glass was created utilizing a hot-wire folding approach that GM was protecting on on the time. It was additionally used on the Chevy Caprice coupe of the period, solely, in that case, to much less dramatic impact.
As cool as all which may be, it apparently wasn’t compelling sufficient to maintain this Toro from being packed away for years like a no-longer modern disco-era wardrobe. The advert calls this automotive a literal barn discover because it was pulled from storage together with 100 different automobiles (!) in March of final yr after 30 years of inactivity. The advert reveals the automotive in its quick post-barn situation — coated in mud and chook poop — after which after having been cleaned up. To say the transformation is phenomenal is an understatement.
The inside, in purple with material pillow-topped upholstery, can also be in superb situation. The vinyl roof, urethane bumper snoods, and all of the chrome additionally look to have survived the barn keep admirably.
According to the vendor, the rejuvenation course of concerned draining and cleansing the gas system, dripping Marvel Mystery Oil down every cylinder, after which firing the automotive up with new plugs, tires, and a battery. Now it’s claimed to begin and run “very nice.”
That properly working engine is a 185-horsepower Olds 403 CID V8. This was the final yr of the large physique fashion, in addition to that engine. The subsequent yr, the Toronado adopted a brand new, smaller dimension, which additionally meant a smaller 350 CID engine. The new mannequin would show rather more gas environment friendly than this last-of-the-dinosaurs version, which solely will get about 11 mpg out of these lifeless dinos.
Unfortunately for us, the vendor of this Toro selected FaceBook Marketplace to supply the automotive. As such, they omit sure essential info, akin to mileage and title standing. Perhaps it doesn’t matter on a automotive that’s been out of the system for therefore lengthy and isn’t going for use for any important driving obligation. For a collector, although, somebody like Adam in Michigan, this could be an intriguing alternative. That is, if its $9,800 asking worth is reflective of the automotive’s precise worth and never simply on a dollar-per-pound foundation.
What’s your tackle this long-dormant Toronado and that $9,800 asking? Does that appear like a deal, contemplating its uniqueness? Or would paying that a lot be an enormous mistake?
You resolve!
Facebook Marketplace out of Spokane, Washington, or go right here if the advert disappears.
H/T to Joe S. for the hookup!
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Source: jalopnik.com