I always liked Toronados. My favorite is probably the inaugural 1966 fastback, but I love them all, right up to the final 1992 models.
But as those of you fine folks following my random scribblings over the past three years know, I also have a MAJOR soft spot for the more formal, glitzy and Broughamtastic 1971-78 Toros.
A rare variant of this generation was the XS coupe, which featured a unique bent-glass wraparound backlite, and power moonroof.
Originally, this model was supposed to have power retractable glass T-tops, but it was deemed too complex at the 11th hour.
So the moonroof was substituted, and the car was made available to the public starting in 1977.
It was a healthy bump pricewise over the standard Toronado Brougham coupe with landau top and opera windows.
While the still extremely Broughamy Toro Brougham coupe could be had for $8,134, the base price for an XS was $11,132.
Predictably, the Brougham coupe handily outsold the flossier XS, to the tune of 31,371 vs. 2,714 XSs.
Anyway, my friend in MN, Dustin Carpenter, sent me this link earlier this week.
It looks good. Very good. With just shy of 81,000 miles, it’s very clean. And for $5,975, it could be a fun land yacht to take to the two or three cruise nights that haven’t been cancelled. But I digress.
“1977 Toronado XS. Very good shape, new heads, CV joints, battery, tune up, brake pads and rotors, and radiator, dual exhaust.”
“Drives well. Great glass and vinyl roof. remote trunk release, Tilt steering, AC, Moon-roof, Cruise, AM/FM 8 Track, 60/40 Power seats. Inspections welcome. $5975 OBO.”
All ’77 Toros came with a 403 CID V8,with 200 bhp and a 4.35 x 3.38 bore and stroke. No diesels, no six cylinders, so plan accordingly.
So, there you have it. It’s times like this I’m glad I already have two Town Cars to feed and no room for a third Broughamtastic gas guzzler. But she sure is pretty. Check out the ad and seek out the owner, ifin you’re so inclined.