Tag Archives: Mimbolove1970s

1971 Oldsmobile Toronado in Liberty Hill, Texas

Written by Ken Altes

455 cu. in. Olds V8 pulls this heavy FWD car.  The 1960s was an innovative decade at General Motors.  The Toronado in 1966, along with the Cadillac Eldorado, were the heaviest FWD production cars ever and first American FWD since the 1937 Cord, but the transaxle was so stout that it was used under GM RVs into the 1970s.  GM started the decade with the independent suspension, air-cooled rear-engined Corvair, the next year the 215-cubic-inch (3.5 liter) aluminum V-8 and rear transaxle and turbocharging –  the only American engine design ever to win a Formula 1 title.  The super handsome 1963 Buick Riviera is a classic, originally pitched in-house as a new Cadillac model.  The 1966 Pontiac Tempest had a single overhead cam (SOHC) straight six.  What am I missing?  The 1970s was a different story, the American car nadir (not Nader – that was the 60s) with downsizing and stifling engines.

1970 Oldsmobile Toronado1970 Oldsmobile Toronado for sale

1973 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Convertible in West Austin Field

Written by Ken Altes

This 1973 Chevrolet Caprice Classic convertible is rotting behind a West Austin mechanic’s garage.  Such a waste!

1973 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Convertible in Austin TX

1970 Buick LeSabre Custom convertible in Wimberley, Texas

Written by Ken Altes

This elegant Buick LeSabre Custom was built on a 124″ wheelbase, weighs about 4000 lbs. The base engine was the Buick 350ci V8 churning out 260 hp with a top speed of 112 mph, and 0-60 mph 9.3 seconds. Power front disc brakes remained an extra-cost option.

American Excess: 70s Cadillac Eldorado Convertible with 500 ci V8

Written by Ken Altes

The previous model was very handsome and innovative as a front wheel driver (along with the Olds Toronado), but this fat, sloppy car in S. Austin, Texas, weighs over 5000 lbs and is a parody.