Photo: Facebook Marketplace Spokane, Washington
The automotive term "barn find" has evolved over the years to mean far more than the face value of the term itself. At one point, a barn find was just that, a classic car found hidden under a roof, often in a rural setting, and unearthed for all to see. Nowadays, the term can be applied to any slightly crusty family runabout that's sat outside a bit too long. But this 1978 Oldsmobile Toronado XS is the real deal; it sat in a barn for almost 30 years. But you could never tell after it's been cleaned up.
Coming to us for sale out of Spokane, Washington, it's hard to say just how many second-generation Toronado XS variants are left in the wild. Safe to assume the answer probably isn't all that many. Only 2,400 and change were built in 1978, which makes this example right here a genuine survivor. The second-gen Toronado never received quite the same praise as its predecessor. As one of the first front-wheel-drive passenger cars built in large numbers in North America, a hyper-fixation on the lauded gen-I at least makes sense.
But that's not to say the second-generation Toronado didn't have its merits. With either a 6.6-liter Oldsmobile V8 or a 7.5-liter variant of the tried and true Rocket V8 to play with, 70s smog and emissions restrictions didn't stop huge engines from defining mid-to-full-size American passenger cars of the period. The late 70s represented the last days in which General Motors marketed raw size as the defining factor of a contemporary American luxury car. This being the final 1978 model year for the gen-II Toronado, this particular example really is the last of a dying breed.
The special-edition XS model sported snazzy cosmetic upgrades like a single-piece, wraparound rear windscreen, and a large moon roof, and it's thought only 2,000 or so were made for 1978, the final year before the Toronado was redesigned for its third generation. After three decades in hiding, it's finally time for this one to make its return. The process of getting this Toronado back on the road was done by the book. First, the fuel system was drained of any decades-old gas that's turned to varnish by now.
Once that was done, the spark plugs and carburetor were removed and serviced before they were all put back together and given a thorough washing. With all the dirt removed, we can see how the factory red pinstriping native to the Toronado XS makes for a look quite unlike lesser models in the lineup. In terms of rare-factor, these items take this classic Olds and puts it into a higher category altogether. The value of it all? Well, after a discount, it can be yours for $9,800.
But that's not to say the second-generation Toronado didn't have its merits. With either a 6.6-liter Oldsmobile V8 or a 7.5-liter variant of the tried and true Rocket V8 to play with, 70s smog and emissions restrictions didn't stop huge engines from defining mid-to-full-size American passenger cars of the period. The late 70s represented the last days in which General Motors marketed raw size as the defining factor of a contemporary American luxury car. This being the final 1978 model year for the gen-II Toronado, this particular example really is the last of a dying breed.
The special-edition XS model sported snazzy cosmetic upgrades like a single-piece, wraparound rear windscreen, and a large moon roof, and it's thought only 2,000 or so were made for 1978, the final year before the Toronado was redesigned for its third generation. After three decades in hiding, it's finally time for this one to make its return. The process of getting this Toronado back on the road was done by the book. First, the fuel system was drained of any decades-old gas that's turned to varnish by now.
Once that was done, the spark plugs and carburetor were removed and serviced before they were all put back together and given a thorough washing. With all the dirt removed, we can see how the factory red pinstriping native to the Toronado XS makes for a look quite unlike lesser models in the lineup. In terms of rare-factor, these items take this classic Olds and puts it into a higher category altogether. The value of it all? Well, after a discount, it can be yours for $9,800.
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