The Oldsmobile Toronado was a personal luxury car produced by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors from 1966 to 1992 across four generations. A key feature of the Toronado was its transaxle version of GM’s Turbo-Hydramatic transmission, making it the first front-wheel drive car in the U.S. market since the Cord 810/812 in 1937.

The Toronado utilized the GM E platform, which was first introduced by the rear-wheel drive Buick Riviera in 1963, and later adapted for the front-wheel drive 1967 Cadillac Eldorado. Throughout its 26-year history, the Toronado, along with the Riviera and Eldorado, shared the E platform.

Interestingly, the name “Toronado” held no significance when first chosen and was originally assigned to a 1963 Chevrolet show car. Despite this, the name became synonymous with Oldsmobile’s luxury offering in the market.

Key Points:
1. Manufactured by Oldsmobile from 1966 to 1992 over four generations.
2. Featured a transaxle version of GM’s Turbo-Hydramatic transmission, pioneering front-wheel drive in the U.S. market.
3. Shared the GM E platform with the Buick Riviera and Cadillac Eldorado during most of its production run.
4. The name “Toronado” was initially selected for a 1963 Chevrolet show car and later became associated with

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