Archived · Classic Cars · 2 min read
Oldsmobile Tornado
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Historical article recovered from a Wayback capture dated 2010-03-15.
Oldsmobile Tornado
1965 - 1970
Country:
Engine:
V8
Capacity:
7446 cc
Power:
385 bhp
Transmission:
3 spd. auto
Top Speed:
209 km/h
Number Built:
143,134
Collectability:
This huge, stylish coupe of 1965 was the first car of its kind to bring front-wheel-drive to the U.S market (excluding of course the beautiful Cord’s from the mid 1930’s, such as the 810).
The Tornado came on a massive 119 inch wheelbase, and weighed an enormous 4,366 pounds - the size and weight counting against it if you were looking for a true sports car.
But a “muscle” car it was, having the mighty 425 ci V8 producing 385 bhp as standard, matched to an aggressive style and wonderful flowing lines that somehow belayed its sheer mass.
The seven litre “Rocket” motor used a three-speed Hydra-Matic gearbox with Torsion-bar suspension and single leaf springs, while twin vertical and horizontal dampers were used at the back.
The drive system featured a split transmission with the torque converter behind the V8 engine and the gearbox located remotely under its left cylinder bank.
This arrangement allowed the heavy engine to sit over the front wheels, which resulted in a favorable weight distribution of 54% forware, 46% at the rear - not bad for such a large FWD car!
The Tornado’s tyres were specially developed to handle more grip and to also best accompany the front-wheel drive. After massive pre-release testing it was finally launched to hugely encouraging reviews with only the perceived too-small drum brakes earning any notable criticism.
The styling was executed by GM design chief William L. Mitchell and was exquisite. Design features included jutting front fenders, hidden headlamps, muscularly flared wheel arches, and a cropped tail trailing a smooth fastback roofline. All this combined to make the Toronado the winner of the Motor Trend Car of the Year Award.
Americans purchased 40,000 in its first year, but from 1967 seemed to prefer the Riviera due to its cheaper price and more conventional styling. From 1971 the Tornado was given a completely new, but awful, bodyshell which seemed to take away the uniqueness of the earlier version.
