81pilot

I know its not a vette, but I entered into a discussion a few weeks ago where I mentioned my FIL's 68 442 front wheel drive and was summarily treated like a liar by some. But was also asked to provide some sort of proof, well here a link to the pics. And just as I said, it has a ton of crap packed around it so I couldn't get under the front, but I got engine bay pics and a pic under the rear showing the conspicuous absence of a rear drive. He is the first and only owner, I have seen the original paperwork. It was called the little toronado, my BIL has an actual fyler on his computer and is going to send it to me, my FIL corrected me and said only 3 were ever produced, they were made through an Olds, Hurst partnership. And this one was the only one inadvertantly sold to the public to my father in law while he was in the Navy. My wife drove it to High School some in the early 80's. Here is the link to the pics, I will post the flyer when he gets it to me.
http://s665.photobucket.com/albums/vv19/81pilot/442/

Jeff

Alan 71

Hi Jeff,
I remember your thread. I thought you were saying the Toronado front drive was in a 68 CORVETTE. No... I'm just teasing, I remember what you said your FIL had in the garage. The pictures certainly show what you described!!!!
I'll be curious to see the literature too.
Regards,
Alan

shank0668

That sure is interesting.

Gordonm

I was originaaly going to say but after seeing that it does use the Toronado drivetrain. I worked as a GM Olds mechanic many years ago. The Toronado drivetrain was pretty heavy duty and they stuck them behind some torquey 455s. Anything is possible, would not surprise me if it was a GM expiriment. That would be an interesting car to research.

riggs 74

I use to be into Oldsmobile's back when I had a 69 442 and thought
I read or seen most everything about the 442, I have never seen
this before. This would be a great car to restore and show. This is
one of those cars that people will argue about its existence. Rare
is an under statement for this car, with the right documentation this
car would probable bring a lot of money.

Thanks for sharing, I would love to see more of this car.

Riggs.

81pilot

At one time years ago I talked to a guy who knew about them, but lost his info. I have no idea where to start looking for info. I suspect now it may have been a Hurst built prototype supplied by Olds for Hurst R&D, because they(Hurst) were the reason the 455 went into the Hurst 442's and 68 was the year they did all of thier R&D on the cars using the Toronado engine, but I can't find any metion on any archives mentioning the front wheel drive be prototyped only the motor. Maybe a Hurst historian might know, I really would like to find some ballpark value on it, if it is a one off prototype, he needs to sell it to a group where it can be restored and placed in a museum.

shank0668

I suggest you join this forum and post in this thread with your pictures, they think you are talking total "BS"

81pilot

Which forum?

shank0668

Opps sorry
http://www.realoldspower.com/phpBB2/...d1a1e47f277c35

shank0668

One guy said he believes that it's in the hurst heritage book.
It is a hurst, from looking at hurst pics.

81pilot

Thanks! I signed up and waiting to be allowed access. Man they really threw me under the bus. It looks like it may be the one made for George Hurst in 68. If thats so that is cool. I really have nothing to gain from a lie. Its not even mine! I really doubt my 70 year ole FIL will ever touch it, and I am sure it has more value if I leave it alone! :O) So I hope we find the real story on it and it gets sold, it needs somewhere other than a cluttered garage!

shank0668

Want a 78 vette? Just kidding. I want to see there reactions.....

It would have been cool to see under the front.

81pilot

I found out today he has that book in his library! He thought they may have mentioned it, but I still don't think he realizes its value not only in money, but to the car community as well.

shank0668

I wouldn't want to touch that car, I would try to find a museum that would buy it.

shank0668

bobbarry

Well I stand amazed!

It would be very interesting to see what the VIN derivative from that motor is. The body-plate shows a Lansing build, where any prototypes would likely have come from, but the rest doesn't appear to be prototype-type codes, so it was probably built from a regular 442.

But undoubtedly there would be a lot of interest in this in the Olds world. It appears that the front fenders bulge a bit more than stock, but that's hard to tell from the pictures without a comparison-shot.

Thanks for the pictures; like I said, that's one special Olds!

shank0668

Block match vin?

...Roger...

Wow...Wow.... Are you signing up at the Olds forum as 81pilot ? I want to see their reaction if you link to this thread ?

2002ConvertibleBBB

Jan.

shank0668

Jay Leno, never considered that.