Image via MyClassicCarTV/YouTube
We’ve seen concepts of cars with living room interiors, but this Oldsmobile Toronado really has just that. While the interior is so wild it will make you do a double take, the exterior is also quite distinct, making this Oldsmobile 67-X a memorable vehicle.
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Not surprisingly, George Barris was the builder of this crazy Oldsmobile Toronado. There were actually four of them created for Canada’s centennial celebration back in 1967. It’s one of the most bizarre automotive stories from the twentieth century.
Barris cut the cars up, adding 15 inches in length so the interior was large enough to fit all the living room appointments. That made them almost 20 feet long, which dwarfs almost all modern SUVs!
He also removed a lot of the body panels, replacing them with fiberglass that flared out and was more flowing, giving the Toronado a more futuristic look.
Plus, the car retained its fiery 7.0-liter V8 pumping 385-horsepower. That was sent to the rear wheels, so extending the length of the car didn’t require replacing the driveshaft.
Commissioned by Esso Oil, the cars were part of a promotional stunt designed to get Canadians traversing the vast country. Anyone could enter the contest to win one of these wild cars billed as the ultimate for road trips, thanks to the plus interior.
People had to drive to five different Esso gas stations spread across Canada, collecting a safety driving tip. Once a person amassed those, which of course required some extensive road tripping, they could mail those in and be entered in the contest.
Those cars were given away, but the whereabouts of only two are know, with some speculation about a third. The fourth is likely lost forever, although it could suddenly resurface.
Most people don’t realize there’s a fifth car, one Barris retained for himself.
Check out a video review of the car here.
Images via MyClassicCarTV/YouTube
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