Thank you to all you car folks who have viewed this profile. Please do not be a stranger to put this red 1968 Toronado, (and my gold W-34 Toronado too) on your favortive list. These photos were taken in August of 2006.
Sorry - this Oldsmobile is not for sale at any price, it is willed to my brother.
UPDATED Feb 6, 2009. Here is a link from Barrett-Jackson PBCCA Palm Beach, Fl, from the Spring of 2005:
http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/search.aspx?aid=283&d=01/17/2009&st=1&lot=1530
1968 Oldsmobile Toronado with 400hp W-34 option. Only 111 1968 Olds Toronados had this option(out of 26,454 total units). VIN # is 394878M615553.
The W-34 option consits of: high lift cam (286 degree, 285 intake, 287 exhaust. .472 lift on both intake and exhaust, OEM # 400165), OM code transmission (beefed-up torque convertor), recurved distributor, ram-air intake(1968 only, unit is under the hood),notched rear bumper(1968, and 1970 GT, 1969 was straight edge on all units) and switch on the left on the radiator(1968 W-34 only, this unit automatic puts the grills up, due to engine heat and/or hot weather ).
This Toronado rolled off the assembly line in Lansing,MI, from Plant#2, on Feb. 3, 1968.
Options: W-34 package, a/c(not comfortron -thank God), chrome wheels,disc brakes. This model is kind of a stripped model,am radio, no power seat, roll-up windows, dual rear view mirrors(rare for early Toros). Interior is orignal and still in mint condition (ie no tears on the driver's side -common on early Toronados).
This car has been in NC twice(1968,2005/2006), Fl (1996-2005), New York(few months of 2005), Maine (2006- present)
This car was ordered by an Oldsmobile zone manager in North Carolina, Bob Branan, who worked for Oldsmobile for many years. From what I was told, so many Oldsmobiles were sold in North Carloina, the TAR HEEL STATE was its own zone.
I first saw this rig on a Thrusday, Aug 21 or 22 of 1997 at the Olds 100th Anniversary in Lansing, MI. Lost touch with the Florida owner over the years.
About 2003 on 442.com, I saw that Marty Leonard, (the third owner, and who I meet in August of 1997) posted "Big Red" on that site.
Then on internet, in the spring of 2005 I saw this car sold at the spring auction at Barrett-Jackson, in FL. Some photos of this Toronado was posted on teh B-J 2005 site, that was the first time I saw this red '68 W-34 with the red front bumper. I was pretty mad to say the least. I knew darn well- THIS IS THE VERY SAME TORONADO I RODE SHOTGUN IN AUGUST OF 1997 !!! The car sold for a little over $10,500.
Then one night, in late November of 2005, while I was dubbing around on Ebay - I saw THIS very clean, very mint interior,very red, very rare, very 1968 W-34 Toronado for sale Toronado. I was not the higest bidder on Ebay (second highest), but the deal fell thorugh between the seller and buyer. The long of the short of it , was the higest bidder did not want to $10,500, only $10,000.
Need I say more? As far as I know I am the 5th owner of this 1968 W-34 Toronado.
In June or July of 2006 I had the 6-disc CD charger, that was in the glovebox and trunk - removed. A new starter was in installed. I also installed an K&N air filter (a unit that fits the stock air cleaner).
I NEVER plan on selling this Toronado, plus I all ready have it in my will for my younger brother (who likes the red bumper).
Somewhere between 25-26 1968 Toronados are accounted for, that have the W-34 option.
Thank you for reading this profile.
. I like the chrome front bumper(when I first saw this car, August 21(or 22), 1997. My brother likes the red bumper. I have heard mixed opinions. To see a picture of this very same Toronado(with a chrome front bumper), please log on to, 442.com(under photo gallery, under 1968 section). Most likely in the future, I will have the front bumper rechromed.
A link about 1968 Oldsmobile Toronado information:
http://www.toronado.org/Members/1968_info.php
To see a picutre of this Toro (with a chrome bumper), please go to page 3.
More picture to be added to this site, photos from the late 1990s, back when this Toronado had a chrome front bumper.
Please check out some of my Toronado/ Olds links.
PROFILE UDATE July 13, 2008.
PLEASE CHECK PAGE 2 of this 1968 TORONADO PAGE.
The items were signed at a music concert at LL Bean, in Freeport, Maine, on Saturday July 12, 2008, about 9:40 pm.
The car parts, that Kathy Mattea singed, are from a 1968 Olds Toronado(s), in case you are wondering.
Please check out some Oldsmobile and Buick links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll3ueYLkJiY
http://hursthairyolds.com/smyser.aspx
http://www.droldmobile.com/
http://www.classicoldsmobile.com/
http://www.toronado.org/
http://oldspower.com/
http://www.reoldsmuseum.org/pages/Highlights.htm
The TOA is open to all 1966-1992 Toronados and 1995-1999/2001-2003 Auroras.
Thank you to all who have read this profile onthis very rare Oldsmobile.
