Whoever thought up the idea for these was a genius. This was a vehicle specifically designed as an 'airport limo', and for no other purpose. High passenger capacity; lots of luggage room; flat floors.... All good ideas, but very expensive for the time. Virtually every part to the rear of the firewall was custom-made. Unfortunately, the development of larger, full-sized extended passenger vans and mini-buses killed it.
Would have been neat to be a fly on the wall of the sales meeting with Oldsmobile corporate... "We'd like to buy a large number of Oldsmobile Toronados......but we only want the front half."
Every couple of months, someone "discovers" these airport limos. The Olds Club magazine had an article a few months ago about someone who restored one. There was a picture of all eight doors, freshly primered, in his dining room.
It's true. But hey that's the way it usually goes with these unique old vehicles. I'm glad that folks who don't know about them are discovering them.
We had one In Maine for years it sat outside of the bar. We used it as a smoking room.someone had one to many one day and ended up owning it for a big price. Left on a flat bed never to be seen again.
