Oldsmobile Vintage Race Car: Craigslist Find of the Week
The LS1tech Craigslist Find of the Week is a special feature we have to showcase some of the truly special oddities that appear on Craigslist. This find definitely fits the bill. What you are looking at is an Oldsmobile Toronado Trans Am race car. No need to adjust your monitor if the images appear a bit blurry, what you see is what you get with this ad. Based on the description, we are guessing the seller isn’t the most technologically-savvy.
This Olds raced competitively in the SCCA Trans Am scene from ’87-’92 and carries a log book to match. It features a 650 horsepower, stroked-to 385c.i. small block Chevy with a dry sump oiling system. That engine is paired to a 4-speed manual dogbox with a quick change rear end, so gearing can be changed depending on the track. All of that is tucked into a streamlined package, with a heavily-ducted intake setup to keep that small block cool on track. The fuel cell is in the trunk along with the dry sump setup.
Considering that in 1987, the Oldsmobile Toronado was a compact FWD car, there is little original left in this Toronado. It features a NASCAR style body shell mounted atop a tube frame chassis. With twin 4″ ducting, the four-piston Brembo brakes up front are paired with Alcon’s in the back. The fiberglass(?) bodywork covers 16″ diameter wheels, measuring 12″ wide in the front and a staggering 14″ wide in the back. Naturally, said wheels are paired with fat racing slicks, that appear to be corded on the inside edge. Controlling the motions of those tires is a double wishbone and coil-over shock suspension setup. The ad states that the car is “well-sorted,” and that does seem to be the case.
The interior is spartan, and again very much like a stock car racer would be. The requisite cage, door nets and harnesses all appear to be in order. A custom half dash is filled, somewhat haphazardly, with gauges, instrumentation and switches, for items like fuel and battery cut off.
The ad states that the car comes with plenty of spares, including wheels, and body panels. It’s ready to race, and the seller assures that it is competitive as-is. Yours now for $34,500.
This car last appeared on BringATrailer.com a few years ago, also in Northern California, and can be found now on SFBayCraigslist.
Jake Stumph is the Content Editor behind LS1tech.com. He is an avid racer and car enthusiast. He considers himself very lucky to be able to write about cars. You can follow him on Facebook and YouTube.
