Car Porn

Oldsmobile offerings for 1970 - The Toranado GT & the FWD 4-4-2

 

Because it has no resemblance to a GTO of past. Why carry on a name with no resemblance? Doesn’t matter if it’s as powerful or more powerful. The GTO name badge is of not just power but a style and a look. I just don’t think that a model name should be continued on unless it pays homage with some styling ques to the models that the reputation was built on.

 

The front wheel drive 442 was not an offering from Oldsmobile. Hurst commissioned a Toronado drivetrain transplanted into a 442. I think only one was ever built.

 

The GTO was more power than was reasonable in a sleeper Tempest. Considering the styling of other brands at the same time, the Tempest was no stand out. We appreciate its beauty now, but at the time it was just another coupe.

 

Big block front tire burnouts!!

 

True, but as time went on the reputation was built under the new name GTO with its own unique styling queues. Only a 10 year run with only 7 of those years [1964-1970] being what built the reputation. My point being the name was earned under those styling queues and If the name was being brought back out 10 plus years after it was retired there should be some styling queues carried over. That’s my opinion anyways.

 

I think this car is really well done, but that front bumper is too large and bulky.

 

1975 Ranchero, a buddy of mine has one like that. Not that nice though.

 

Looks like all they did was fill in the license plate bracket and paint it. That was originally a chrome monstrosity IIRC.

 

Don't think GM ever offered a MT in that car. A lot of people would kill for a MT version...

 

They did offer the SS with MT, it was actually one of the last cars sold that got better MPG and was quicker in MT form over AT.

 

It looks like a snowplow, really needs to be cut down and tucked in.

 

Ahh yes the good old bumper growth in America.
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In 1971, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued the country's first regulation applicable to passenger car bumpers. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 215 (FMVSS 215), "Exterior Protection," took effect on 1 September 1972—when most automakers would begin producing their model year 1973 vehicles.
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Gone were the beautiful tight to the body chrome bumpers from 1972 on. The first ones from 1972 to 1973 had just bumper guards added on to the chrome bumpers. In 1974 the standards got stricter. They enacted a 5mph impact law that all manufacturers has to adapt to. So from 1974 on the bumpers had to have an impact crumple zone, hence the reason the bumpers were now protruding out from the body. Basically ruining the clean look of the body lines.

A look at the first bumper guards added to the bumpers to make them pass after 1972 and before they got even stricter in 1974 where the impact zone protruding from the body had to be implemented.

 

I can tell you that when the 1968 GTO came out there were a lot of people who didn’t like it compared to the 67. I turned 16 that year and it took me a couple of years to get used to what we all thought was a radical change.

 

I personally Love the 1968-1969 GTO’s. But then I’m a bit partial.
I Love all models from 1964 to 1970.

 

In the movie Duel Dennis Weaver got those bumper guards stuck under the bumper of that schoolbus.

 

LOL
Good memory, I also remember that scene.