1979 Oldsmobile Toronado

Coupe

5.7L 350Cu. In. V8 GAS OHV Naturally Aspirated

Automatic

3Z57R9E103590

Clear

GAS

OVER 50 PHOTOS BELOW! This is an amazing opportunity for you to own a piece of Oldsmobile history! The distinctive Oldsmobile Toronado was introduced in 1966 to great fanfare as the first modern American car with front-wheel-drive. Every Toronado to follow retained that feature, including this 3rd generation model, which was introduced in 1979. Like its sister cars, the Buick Riviera and Cadillac Eldorado, these new Toronados were drastically smaller in size than the year before, receiving the "downsizing" that most GM cars went through in this period. The 1979 Toronado is particularly distinctive with its one-year-only grille and front bumper treatment. It's the rarest of the 1979-85 Toronados. Although a diesel was available, this car has Oldsmobile's 350 cid V8 engine (the next-to-last year it was offered) and a 3-speed Hydramatic transmission. This car is LOADED and was extremely well-equipped for its day! Standard and optional equipment on this Toronado includes power windows, power door locks, power trunk release, driver's and passenger's 6-way power seats with manual recliners (55/45 split arrangement), power side mirrors, loose-pillow seating in Durand velour, Tempmatic air conditioning, Twilight Sentinel headlamp control, fiber optic lamp monitors, factory AM-FM stereo with 8-track tape and power antenna, level control, fiber optic lamp monitors, wire wheel covers, and cruise control. Perhaps rarest of all is the factory power Astroroof, which is a silver-tinted glass sliding sunroof with sunshade. This particular example is even more unusual with its rare Russet Firemist paint, which was a Toronado-only color. I believe most or all of the paint on this car is original. The car also does not have the very common vinyl landau top, which I think enhances the appearance considerably. For its time the Toronado was a unique car not only to look at but also to drive. This Toronado runs, drives, brakes and handles beautifully! The engine has great smooth power and the transmission shifts smoothly. It cruises at freeway speeds with no problems, and the cruise control works very well. THE GOOD Clearly this car is a survivor and is one of few in original condition. There are approximately 82,000 miles on the odometer which (based on the car’s condition) are assumed to be correct. Mechanically the car starts, runs, drives and stops well. The interior is an amazing time capsule as you can see from the photos. All the gauges, the power antenna, the dual power mirrors, seats, windows, power trunk release and door locks all work. The upholstery is in almost perfect condition, and the car comes with its original carpeted factory GM floor mats, including the huge front one-piece mat that goes across the width of the flat floor. The headliner is in good condition and is not sagging, as is common with these older headliners. The power sunroof works great, does not leak, and comes with the original crank in case of power failure. The car comes with its original owner’s manual and other delivery documents from when it was new. It is ready for you to drive and enjoy. The chrome trim and emblems on the car are all intact, and the bumpers are straight, shiny and rust-free. This car has spent its entire life in California, as far as I know and as attested by its 1979-issue blue California license plates, and is rust-free. The car has its original simulated wire wheel covers with Olds rocket emblems (the non-locking type) and they are complete and in very good condition. In the last two years, the car has received brand new Toyo tires, front end work (new axle..), a new professional Delco battery, a carburetor rebuild, and valve cover gasket repair. The car traveled over 600 miles round trip to the Riviera Owners Association National meet in Monterey, California in 2012, and made the trip beautifully. THE NOT SO GOOD Though in great condition overall, this car is 35 years old and has a few dings and scratches here and there. As is almost always on the case on these cars, the rear bumper fillers are deteriorated and in need of replacement, although they are all there with no missing pieces. The front fillers are in much better shape and are still serviceable. Though the finish is glossy and the sides of the body are straight and almost completely free of dings, there is chipping on the front header panel, and a meticulous owner might want to have that part refinished or possibly the whole car, although it can be driven and shown as is. The air conditioner is not working properly, most likely because of some vacuum issues, although the compressor is working and producing cold air (repairs were done in 2012). Fan works on all speeds but air is not properly getting blown out of the vents (again, probably vacuum door issues). The digital clock is not working. The load level control may or not be working, but it is disconnected right now. The 8-track stereo tape player works great and plays with great sound tone through the original 4-speaker system, but the AM/FM radio is difficult to hear although it does bring in stations (probably a wiring connection issue). None of these things listed greatly deter from how nice this car is overall. I simply mention them so you the potential buyer has a good idea of the car’s true condition. Also pay close attention to the photos, as they are the best way to see the car’s visual details and condition. DETAILS Winning this auction is a commitment to buy the vehicle. Please ask all questions before the auction ends. You are buying a used car with no warranty. Buyer must pay $500 deposit at the end of the auction and the balance within one week. The car is located in Los Angeles, California. Pick up and transportation of the car is the buyer’s responsibility. Cash, bank issued cashier’s check or wire transfer are the only accepted methods of payment, although I will accept Paypal for the (non-refundable) deposit. I reserve the right to end the auction early as the car is available for sale locally.