The Toronado of 1966 may not have
been the first front-wheel-drive American built
car, but it was the first to be successful and
gain acceptance with the motoring public. It
would go on to win the Motor Trend Car of Year
award in 1966 for its unique and innovative styling.
The wonderful Oldsmobile Toronado coupe was introduced in 1966. At the time, it was the largest and most powerful front wheel drive car ever produced, and one of the first modern front wheel drive cars equipped with an automatic transmission. The original Toronado was powered by a 425CID Super Rocket V8 engine rated at 385hp (287kW), mated to a three speed Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission. The Toronado was Motor Trend magazine's 1966 "Car of the Year."