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    AutoHunter Spotlight: 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado

    A few years ago, while judging at the Radnor Hunt Concours with former GM head of design Ed Welburn, we took a walk around a 1966 Toronado on the show field, looking closely at all the styling elements of the car. After doing a full circle of the car, Ed said one word: “Magnificent.” He was right. The original Oldsmobile Toronado is an incredible car, with some of the best postwar American styling ever.

    AutoHunter now has one of these landmark cars up for auction: a first-year 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado Deluxe being represented by its owner in Phoenix, Arizona. The auction ends on Monday, July 28, at 12:15 p.m. (PDT).

    The Toronado project started as a design painting by Oldsmobile stylist David North in 1962. He called it his “Flame Red Car.” It was his idea of a compact sports/personal car, but it was never intended for production. Sometimes, though, miracles can happen, even at companies the size of GM. A few weeks after the design was finished, the Oldsmobile division was informed it would be permitted to build a personal car in the Riviera/Thunderbird class for the 1966 model year, using North’s design rendering.

    Unlike every other American personal luxury car of the time, the Toronado is front-wheel drive, one of the first in the U.S. since the 1930s. An interesting fact is that special 8.85 x 15 TFD (Toronado Front Drive) tires were developed for the car by Firestone. They featured a stiffer-than-normal sidewall and also had a tread pattern and a thin white pinstripe unique to only that tire. The car was a hit and went on through many generations, with the first-generation cars now considered classics (hence its inclusion at the concours Ed and I attended).

    According to the description, this 1966 Toronado Deluxe is powered by a rebuilt, numbers-matching Rocket 425ci V8 mated to a three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. The car has covered 76,476 original miles from new, and features air conditioning, power windows, power antenna and front disc brakes. It is finished in Ebony Black and is offered by the seller with manuals, service receipts and a clear title.

    The exterior looks to be in spectacular show condition, with only a few stone chips. With a little bit of work, this car would be ready for a regional concours, where it would probably do quite well. Driving a car like this Toronado on an event like the Copperstate 1000 would be amazing – and something you rarely see at a vintage car rally.

    The interior, which is finished in its correct green cloth and vinyl upholstery, features a front bench seat with a fold-down armrest. The cabin looks to be in great shape, with only minor wear on the driver’s seat. I personally love the dash layout with the horizontal barrel-style speedometer and additional instruments for temperature, amperage, clock and fuel level.

    Under the hood is the numbers-matching Oldsmobile 425ci Rocket V8 with 385 horsepower at 4,800 rpm, and a staggering 475 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 rpm. It sends power to the front wheels via a three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. The engine received a complete rebuild in 2001, and the four-barrel carburetor was rebuilt in June 2025. Everything under the hood not only looks correct, but also is in excellent condition.

    Truly great examples of these first-year Olds Toronados do not come up for sale often and are quite rare to see these days. This specific example looks to be a great car that would provide its new owner with years of enjoyment. If you are interested, though, I would act fast – the auction for this 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado Deluxe ends on Monday, July 28, at 12:15 p.m. (PDT).

    Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

    Pick of the Day: 1978 Chevrolet Suburban Custom Deluxe

    Vehicles with a lot of space for people and gear typically end up having a lot of miles too. Roomy SUVs, such as the Chevrolet Suburban, are great for out-of-state family road trips; they can also be used for commercial purposes. Somehow, our Pick of the Day, a 1978 Chevrolet Suburban, has escaped a life of high mileage. You can find it on ClassicCars.com listed by a dealer in Lenexa, Kansas.

    This “Superwagon,” as Chevy called it in the brochure, has been kept in a climate-controlled garage its whole life, accruing only 25,674 original miles over the past 47 years, according to the selling dealer. To put that in perspective, several years ago, I put 2,600 miles on a Ram 1500 Rebel EcoDiesel going from Austin, Texas to Phoenix, Arizona and back in about a week.

    However, this Suburban’s historically light travel schedule hasn’t excluded it from updates. At one point, the body was repainted in its original color of Mariner Blue, which goes nicely with the chrome bumpers and bright trim. Thanks to a Belltech lowering kit, there’s a four-inch drop in the front and a six-inch drop at the rear, giving this rig a nice stance on its 20 x 9-inch front/22 x 10.5-inch rear US Mags wheels and low-profile tires.

    Despite the low mileage on the rest of the truck, the 305ci V8 was rebuilt and equipped with an Edelbrock intake manifold, polished aluminum valve covers, ceramic-coated headers, and a custom exhaust system with MagnaFlow mufflers. As a C10 model, this Suburban sends its power to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic.

    Whoever refreshed this Suburban also made sure to include the interior. The story is that the blue and white patterned vinyl upholstery is original, but a lot of the things around it have been updated. Recently, the headliner was replaced and a Vintage Air climate control system was installed, adding comfort to the convenience of the power steering and power front disc brakes. The original radio was swapped out for a Custom Autosound AM/FM stereo, which is connected to Rockford Fosgate kick panel speakers—perfect for road trip playlists or audio books for long drives to and from jobsites.

    Clearly, this 1978 Chevrolet Suburban Custom Deluxe has plenty of miles left in it. If you want to rack up more by hauling your family to your next vacation destination or building your business, you can take it off the market for $29,900.

    Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com

    302-Powered 1941 Ford Pickup Street Rod

    This 1941 Ford pickup was built into a street rod before it was acquired by its current owner in 2013. The body was repainted seafoam green with flourishes and a pink tonneau, and the truck rides on a Mustang II-style front end with 15″ alloy wheels. Power is provided by a Ford 302ci V8 paired with a three-speed automatic transmission, and the cabin features a custom-upholstered bench seat, a cassette stereo, power windows, air conditioning, cruise control, and a four-spoke steering wheel. This Ford pickup hot rod is now offered as part of the SawMill Collection on dealer consignment with a clean Washington title.

    The selling dealer tells us the bodywork is a mix of steel and fiberglass panels, and it was painted seafoam green with custom flourishes. The doors and tailgate operate on electric poppers.

    The bed is lined in wood and the fuel tank has been relocated under the rear of the bed. The lights are integrated into the trim under the bed, and the tailgate is operated by an electrical switch and swings to the side. The struts for the pink tonneau require replacement.

    A Mustang II-style front end with disc brakes has been installed, and the truck has power steering. The 15″ KMC Wheels alloys are mounted with staggered tires.

    Custom upholstery covers the bench seat and door panels. The dashboard and steering column are painted to match the exterior, and the truck has power windows, cruise control, a cassette stereo, and air conditioning.

    Stewart-Warner gauges were added along with a four-spoke steering wheel. The current owner has added 30k of the 37k miles on the five-digit odometer, with total chassis mileage unknown.

    The Ford 302ci V8 was installed as part of the build and is topped by a single Holley carburetor.

    Power is sent to the rear wheels through a C4 three-speed automatic transmission. The fuel tank was moved to the rear of the truck and is accessible via a filler cap located in the bed.

    The frame stamping is shown above, and the current Washington title lists 186428540 as the VIN.

    455-Powered 1935 Chevrolet Master Deluxe 2-Door Town Sedan Street Rod

    This 1935 Chevrolet Master Deluxe two-door Town Sedan was turned into a street rod by a previous owner. The steel body was repainted burgundy, leather upholstery was fitted along with an air conditioning system, a Kenwood stereo, and Classic Instruments gauges, and the car was repowered with a Pontiac-sourced 455ci V8, TH400 automatic transmission, and rear axle. The engine is topped by a tri-power setup with a trio of carburetors that were recently rebuilt, and the seller also recently mounted staggered BFGoodrich tires on the Rally-style wheels. The car also has a rear sway bar and a Mustang II-style front end with coil springs and disc brakes. Acquired by the seller in 2024, this Chevrolet Master Deluxe is now offered with a clean Wisconsin title in the seller’s name.

    The seller tells us the bodywork and fenders are steel, and the bumpers have been removed. The grille insert is painted to match the body, and the windows are tinted. The seller notes the side windows are not weather-tight, that a section below the grille was redone with filler, and that there is corrosion below the running boards.

    The car rides on a Mustang II-style front end and a leaf-spring solid axle with a sway bar. The seller notes the front disc brakes and rear drums could benefit from service and describes the pedal feel as soft. The 215/60 front and 235/70 rear BFGoodrich tires were recently mounted on the 15″ Rally-style wheels.

    The interior was customized with gray leather upholstery, a CD stereo, air conditioning, and Classic Instruments gauges. The trunk is operated on a popper that was fitted in 2024.

    The seller has driven the car ~50 of the ~8,600 miles indicated, which represents the distance driven on the build.

    The 455ci V8 is believed to have been sourced from a Firebird, and it is topped by a tri-power intake manifold with a trio of Rochester carburetors that the seller recently had rebuilt. A knock is noted after engine shut-off. A dual-circuit master cylinder has also been installed.

    The TH400 automatic transmission and rear end were also reportedly from the Firebird. The car has a dual exhaust system.

    The car is titled as a 1935 Chevrolet using serial number J3441, which is the body number for the car.

    6.0L Vortec-Powered 1936 Ford Tudor Sedan Street Rod

    This steel-bodied 1936 Ford Model 68 Tudor sedan was acquired by the seller in 2025 and built into a street rod. The car was repainted burgundy and has a redone interior with white upholstery, a Bluetooth-capable radio, and extra gauges, and it rides on lowered suspension with a Mustang II-style front end and whitewall tires. Power comes from a 6.0-liter Vortec V8 linked with a four-speed automatic transmission and a ’69 Ford 8″ axle with a Quick Performance limited-slip differential. Driven ~10k miles since completion of the work, this Tudor street rod is now offered in Canada with Ontario registration.

    The car has a steel body and original-style frame, and it was repainted in 2024. The front bumper has been removed.

    Coker 15″ whitewall tires have been installed, and the car was fitted with a Mustang II-style front end with disc brakes and power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering as well as coilovers out back. The seller tells us the rear drum brakes were also overhauled.

    The interior has been redone with white upholstery, an B&M shifter, a Bluetooth-capable stereo, and modern speakers. There is no headliner.

    Auto Meter and Autogage gauges have been installed, but there is no speedometer or odometer. Total chassis mileage is unknown, and the seller estimates they have driven the car 10k kilometers.

    The seller tells us the engine is a 6.0-liter Vortec V8 that was rebuilt before it was installed. It has tubular headers linked to a dual exhaust system.

    A four-speed automatic transmission was installed along with a ’69 Ford 8″ axle with a 3.44 Quick Performance limited-slip differential.

    The car is registered as a 1936 Ford using VIN B70M35. The registration acts as the proof of ownership in Ontario.

    Custom Studebaker “Dream Roadster”

    This Studebaker “Dream Roadster” was purchased by the seller as a 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk in 2002 and subsequently modified over the course of a custom build that was finished in 2019. The body was altered using steel panels from various production vehicles before being repainted in a Sunrise Pearl House of Kolor finish. Power comes from a 4.6-liter Ford V8 paired with a three-speed automatic transmission, and additional features include independent front and rear suspension along with four-wheel disc brakes, power-assisted steering, 20″ Weld wheels, and black leather and cloth upholstery. The car was used by Microsoft as a model for the Forza Horizon 4 video game as part of the Hot Wheels Legends Car Pack, and other recognition is said to have included winning first in class awards at the 2019 and 2020 Detroit Autorama, being a Gene Winfield “Select Six” contender at the 2019 Syracuse Nationals in New York, a “Fine Nine” contender and Darryl Starbird’s “Personal Choice” award at the Darryl Starbird National Rod & Custom car show in 2020, and a “Judge’s Pick” award winner at 2021 Eyes on Design Concours d’Elegance in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan, in addition to SEMA “Battle of the Builders” participation. It was offered by the seller on BaT in May 2022, and it has since been driven 100 miles. This “Dream Roadster” is now offered with a build book, parts records, assorted literature, and a clean Michigan title that describes the vehicle as a 1957 Studebaker.

    Drawing influence from the Bill Cushenbery-built Car Craft “Dream Rod” coupe and its subsequent “Tiger Shark” redesign that would serve as the basis for the Hot Wheels “Python” model, the seller fabricated a custom steel roadster body utilizing several production car pieces prior to its finish in House of Kolor Sunrise Pearl. Details include a Studebaker cowl, windshield, and door frames, a 1960 Pontiac nose section and door skins, a 1959 Ford Thunderbird hood, and rear sheet metal from a 1963 Chevrolet Corvair.

    Additional details include a 1967 Oldsmobile Toronado right-side headlight door, Harley-Davidson-sourced headlights, and 1965 Shelby Mustang side mirrors as well as a modified Lincoln Mark VIII tail light section and a 1988 Audi sunroof grafted into the rear deck to access the trunk and fuel filler.

    Polished Weld Evo 20″ wheels wear Nitto tires sized 245/35 up front and 295/40 out back that have been modified with gold stripes. Braking is handled by slotted cross-drilled rotors paired with six-piston Wilwood calipers on the front along with inboard cross-drilled units at the rear. The suspension consists of a chrome-finished 1996 Corvette-sourced independent front suspension assembly with inboard cantilevered shocks along with a Jaguar XJS-sourced rear setup with chrome coilovers. The car is equipped with power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering.

    The open cabin features Corbeau fixed-back bucket seats clad in black leather and cloth along with color-coordinated trim panels and carpeting. The shifter is housed within a custom center console, and additional equipment includes a Nardi steering wheel mounted to an Ididit steering column, RJS lap harnesses, and shift and turn signal indicators incorporated into the rear-view mirror.

    Refurbished Studebaker instrumentation consists of a 6k-rpm tachometer and a 120-mph speedometer flanked by readings for fuel level, voltage, coolant temperature, and oil pressure. The five-digit odometer indicates that nearly 125 miles have been driven since completion of the build. True mileage is unknown. The windshield wipers are inoperative.

    A 4.6-liter Ford Modular V8 was installed during the build and features a Holley Street Demon carburetor fitted atop a powder-coated Edelbrock intake manifold. Cooling is from a Griffin aluminum radiator with electric fans, and other additions include a Ron Francis wiring kit, MSD ignition components, a Rock Valley stainless-steel 15-gallon fuel tank, and a pair of Sanderson headers linked to a side-exiting exhaust system. The seller notes cracks are present at the end of the front-hinged hood.

    Power is sent to the rear wheels through a C4 three-speed automatic transmission. Additional underside images are shown in the gallery.

    Materials accompanying the car include a book that summarizes the build, a custom hand-stitched bag, service records, and assorted literature.

    In addition to the aforementioned awards, the car was featured in season 10, episode 15 of the television show Bitchin’ Rides, and it was displayed at the Triple Crown of Rodding in Nashville, Tennessee.

    20 Cars That Only Exist Because an Engineer Said ‘Trust Me’

    The history of the automobile is filled with bold ideas, wild risks, and the occasional leap of faith. Sometimes, it takes more than just market research or boardroom consensus to launch a memorable car—sometimes, it takes one passionate engineer standing up and saying, “Trust me.”

    These are the vehicles that defied logic, ignored doubters, and redefined what was possible, all because someone behind the scenes believed in their vision.
    From quirky oddballs to world-changing icons, the industry’s most fascinating stories often start with an engineer’s stubborn creativity and determination to bring something truly different to the road.

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    17 Cars Your Grandpa Would Laugh At—Until He Drove One

    We all know someone who judges a car by its quirky looks or questionable reputation—maybe even your grandpa. Yet, beneath odd styling and misunderstood badges, some vehicles hide surprising performance, comfort, or innovation. These are the cars that spark laughter or skepticism at first glance, only to leave drivers grinning after a test drive.
    It’s easy to dismiss a small hatchback or a boxy hybrid, but don’t be fooled. This list uncovers 17 cars that defy their reputations—vehicles grandpa might mock, but would secretly love after taking the wheel. Prepare to rethink what makes a car truly great.

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    15 Cars That Were Too Early, Too Weird, or Just Too Good for This World

    The automotive world thrives on innovation, yet not every brilliant idea finds a lasting place on the road. Throughout history, certain cars have dared to be different—pushing boundaries with radical technology, design, or philosophy. Some were too far ahead of their time; others were so unconventional that mainstream buyers simply weren’t ready. And a rare few proved so good, so pure, that commercial success was never really the point.
    This article uncovers fifteen such vehicles—machines that challenged the status quo and, despite their short-lived impact, left a lasting imprint on automotive culture. Prepare to meet the visionaries, the oddballs, and the unsung heroes of the car world.

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    15 Factory Mistake Cars That Accidentally Became Collector Legends

    Sometimes, the most coveted cars in the world aren’t born from perfection, but from unexpected factory mistakes. Whether it’s a miscalculated design, a manufacturing blunder, or an unintentional parts swap, these errors can turn ordinary vehicles into rare collector treasures. The automotive world is full of stories where a simple oversight led to a one-of-a-kind masterpiece—vehicles that now command astronomical prices and spark heated bidding wars.
    It’s a testament to how serendipity can elevate a car from overlooked oddity to legendary status. These accidental icons remind us that sometimes, flaws are what make something truly unforgettable.

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