1966 Forest Mist Dark Green Toronado

[Deltap100]

I have been searching, without any luck, for a 1966 Toronado with a Forest Mist Dark Green interior and exterior color.  It is the car I learned to drive in and has proven hard to find. Unfortunately the interior fabric is no longer made so I have to find an original with a good interior.  If sale is made a 2% of the selling price finders fee will be paid once the car is registered in my name, trying to make it worthwhile for you to look around.  

Thanks

[JamesBulldogMiller55Buick]

Good luck finding a 50 year old parts car with a good interior that has the right color. 

If you do find that, you should pick my lottery ticket numbers

 

try SMS fabrics in Oregon

Edited February 2, 2016 by JamesBulldogMiller55Buick (see edit history)

[John_S_in_Penna]

Mr. or Miss DeltaP, are you sure the fabric is no longer made?

SMS Auto Fabrics in Oregon has a huge inventory of authentic

fabrics, and, I believe, will even make fabrics to a custom order.

They even had the correct fabric in purple (plum) for my '69 Cadillac.

 

Cars of that era had at least 15 paint colors from which to choose,

and a few possible interiors for any given paint color.

I believe that a black interior might be much more common for that paint.

With your specific desires, you are probably eliminating 98% of all the

Toronados out there.

 

To find a "green with green" car, you'll have to be constantly vigilant.

 Maybe the right car will come for sale within months;

 but maybe you'll need to keep your untiring vigil for 10 years.

 

To improve your chances, I would suggest putting a

continuing want-ad in the newsletter/magazine

of the Toronado Owners' Association.  Their website is www.toronado.org.

Explain in the ad that you want to match a fondly remembered family car,

and people may go out of their way to help you.

Because 1966 Toronados are popular, the club also might have documented

what % of 1966 Toronados came with certain paint colors--and even with

specific interior combinations.  Ask that first to see how rare green-green is. 

 

I'm sure the search will be worth it when you finally get it!

Edited February 2, 2016 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history)

[Deltap100]

Well, that didn't go well, I am not particularly good at this internet era.  John, in case you didn't get the first message, thanks for getting back to me.  I am a long time member of TOA and ran an ad for two years without success.  Probably time to do so again.

I have owned two 66 Toronados, one in Dubonnet and one in Autumn Bronze.  The Dubonnet car was very nice and still smelled new inside.  The Autumn Bronze car was not as clean but I sold them both because they just didn't quench the desire for the Green or Green car.  After speaking with experts far above my skills I have decided there should be 6 of these out there somewhere based on the assumption that 1% of those made have survived.  I know where two are that are just not for sale at any price and I am going to look at another that is also not for sale but we will see about any price?  

I am hoping that things like the here to far never heard of upholstery supplier you gave me may help and I am grateful for all of the leads I can get.

Thanks again,

Dick 

[John_S_in_Penna]

Dick, it sounds like you're experienced at old cars.  Good!

SMS Auto Fabrics is the foremost supplier of antique-automobile

fabrics, whether they be headliners, vinyls, cloth, etc.

 

Are you willing to get a car in another color and repaint it

to the correct green you seek?  And reupholstering in the

correct green fabric (along with dyeing the dash board and

door panels and installing new headliner) is a possibility too.

Or maybe you'll find a green car with a black interior, so only

the interior needs redoing.

 

For an excellent job, you might find those 2 things costing you

$17,000 ($10,000 for the paint color change, and $7000 for the

interior).  It might beat waiting for a car to become available, however.

 

But at least you've located a couple of cars in the right colors!

Even though they aren't for sale now, make sure the owners

know you want them--and the fond family associations you want to remember.

Keep in touch with those owners, maybe once a year;

and eventually you may find that they're willing to sell.

I have heard cases where such patience finally pays off.

Edited February 2, 2016 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history)

[keiser31]

You can try to Google "1966 Oldsmobile Toronado photo" and see some there. Sometimes you can research the car by clicking on the "visit page" on the photo. You never know. You just might find the car you are looking for that way. I did it and I see a couple of them that are that color.

Edited February 2, 2016 by keiser31 (see edit history)

[Deltap100]

Thanks everybody, for all these good suggestions.  Just emailed SMS to see if they have any cloth, etc.  Also asked them if they would part with or contact any clients that ordered the same. Who knows?  Appreciate it!

Dick

[John_S_in_Penna]

I've found that SMS usually takes a while to respond.

(I have always called them, and asked for samples by mail,

which may take 3 weeks or so.)  So be patient, or follow up

with a call.

 

But they have things that no one else does, and are widely

respected in the hobby.

[60FlatTop]

Was the autumn bronze car a low option model with new exhaust and a fresh Bill Hirsch Miracle Paint bottom? If it was a lot of the paint drips still remind me of that car. I remember a nice ride my wife and I took through The Grand Canyon of the East and lunch at the Glenn Iris Inn.

Bernie

Edited February 3, 2016 by 60FlatTop (see edit history)

[CHRIS S23]

MY GOOD FRIEND IS SELLING A 1966 TORONADO  50K ORIGINAL MILES NO RUST AND HAS A/C!  HERE ARE SOME PICTURES!  I KNOW HE WANTS $18K NOT SURE WHAT THESE GO FOR BUT HE IS PRETTY FIRM ON THE PRICE!

 

"Car is Green & all Original"

Edited February 3, 2016 by CHRIS S23 (see edit history)

[John_S_in_Penna]

MY GOOD FRIEND IS SELLING A 1966 TORONADO  50K ORIGINAL MILES NO RUST AND HAS A/C!  HERE ARE SOME PICTURES!  I KNOW HE WANTS $18K NOT SURE WHAT THESE GO FOR BUT HE IS PRETTY FIRM ON THE PRICE!

 

"Car is Green & all Original"

 

Even though that car probably isn't the shade of green

Dick is seeking, he could repaint it if it has the right interior.

(Personally, I've never seen a '66 Toronado with a green interior

like that, so it may be that Dick has conquered the major obstacle!)

[60FlatTop]

Those are really nice cars. There are subtle differences that make the '66 the best looking one. I think I had mine around 1989 or 1990 and at the time I paid something like $4500. With new exhaust and routine stuff I was in there at close to $6,000 25 years ago. It was a car that always had a good following. There are a ton of Cord styling cues that GM put into that car. In Rochester Philanz Olds got my friend, Nick Lipton to put his Cord on the showroom floor with introduction of the '66.

 

When Phil closed up, about ten years ago, we searched through everything trying to find a picture of the two on the showroom floor. Didn't find it. Great car.

 

I stopped at my Dutch Uncle's to pick up some venison and elk steaks with it and he said "Gee, you always have nice road cars." You remember stuff like that.

 

I'd buy another.

Bernie

[Deltap100]

The response from everyone is really great, thanks for taking the time to reply and to even send pictures.  SMS responded immediately and gave me a lead, only one person has inquired about this color in recent history.  I sure hope it pans out.  The 66 Toronado photos are great too, I would really hate to repaint a car that is original, but I will give it a few days of thought.  The metallic green I am trying to find is so dark it is almost black but I may have to try another car to see if it will do while I am on the search for the perfect car.  Sure miss not having a Toronado in the garage.

Thanks again to everyone for helping! Car hobby folks are the best!!!!!

Dick

[John_S_in_Penna]

SMS responded immediately and gave me a lead, only one person has inquired about this color in recent history.  I sure hope it pans out.  

 

Dick, is the green interior pictured the one you're seeking?

 

Does "giving you a lead" mean that SMS Auto Fabrics has the green fabric,

or can acquire or duplicate the fabric?  We're all rooting for you!

 

A bird in hand is worth two in the bush, as the saying goes.

If the green car in Posting #10 is close, consider buying it first,

enjoying it, and eventually deciding whether you want to repaint it.

You might hate to have your long search end up in someone else buying

this green car. 

Edited February 4, 2016 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history)

[John_S_in_Penna]

Here is another potential car for you, which I happened to

see advertised on the internet:  http://www.cars-on-line.com/76815.html

 

"1966 Oldsmobile Toronado

Oldsmobile Toronado . This is a unbelievable car with only 56,000 actual miles. The interior is like brand-new, the car had one repaint, no accidents no smoking just a great car. Price - $ 22,500  Call (216) 310-3700, Naples, Florida US"

 

This Toronado appears to have the green cloth interior you want,

but the car's paint is tan.  Since the car has been repainted,

you could always repaint the exterior and not feel guilty.

 

Dick, I hope you check this forum again!

Edited February 6, 2016 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history)

[John_S_in_Penna]

The original poster was active for a little while,

but he hasn't checked back to see the latest findings.

I even sent him two private messages which he

didn't open.

 

Dick, you've been searching for years, and we've

found a good possibility that you haven't even seen!

And this thread was already down to Page 8 of the forum.

You should include your phone number with your want ad,

so people can actually reach you!

Edited February 18, 2016 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history)

[mercer09]

probably wasnt looking to spend 18k, that would be a safe assumption if it isnt the color he really wtd.

[dgpnaples]

I have a friend here in Naples Florida that has the car you are looking for, unfortunately I don't think he wants to sell it. I will see him tonight and ask him. 

 

Dean.

[Deltap100]

Dean, thanks for checking on this for me.  I travel a great deal and will be away from my home computer often.  I am interested in this car but have a car to check out in another location first.  It is the correct color inside and out.  It is also not for sale but neither were the last two I have owned, one took me close to 5 years to get. I may have to repaint a car of another color but I would prefer not to do that unless it is the only choice I have.  I am sorry I didn't leave my phone number so here is my cell phone.  412-760-4052.  I still work and so the travel.  I am planning to go to see the Dark Green car in another month as it is in a very cold location with tons of snow.  I want to be able to drive it and I wouldn't ask anyone to put the car in "salt".  Thanks everyone for helping.  SMS was helpful but I never got a reply to my email so who knows if if was even delivered, a firewall could have stopped it. In any case I will keep looking whenever I can shake loose from work.  Thanks all!!