The 1966-67 Buick Riviera, Cadillac Eldorado & Oldsmobile Toronado Represent General Motors' Best
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- Learn more about the Buick Riviera, Cadillac Eldorado and Oldsmobile Toronado, some of GM's finest designs of all time!
I think the Toronado had the most futuristic styling of the 3. What a piece of art. Gorgeous in and out.
Talk about a difficult choice! Adam has excellent taste by recognizing the importance of those 3 as the pinnacle of American style and quality
Gorgeous car, ugly brakes! 🫣
I agree. The Buick is sensational. No front wheel drive. Great engine. And beautiful.
I like the Toronado the best. I remember when it first came out in the ‘66 model year and I thought it was one of the best styled cars. Also the flat floor was cool.
Three of the most beautiful American cars ever produced.
I cant't decide, I agree that this was GM's best design period and I have always loved all three. It was great that you put them all together.
In 1984, during my first trip to the U.S. , my school exchange family owned a 1966 Toronado. It was the most impressive car I had ever seen and I got to drive it when I turned 16 during my stay.
I decided there and then I must have one some day. BUT I bought a 1967 Riviera instead - from any angle you look at it, it is a design masterpiece.
3 beautiful cars....I prefer the Eldorado.
Still think the Riviera is the best of the bunch 😎!
Agreed
I vote for the Riv too. In 1997, I bought a one owner, impeccably maintained, completely original, garage stored 40k Las Vegas white on red ‘66 Riv for $2500. Was mint without a speck of rust and original paint. Came with a bale of receipts of everything ever done to the car. Most hilarious was that Midas muffler had a lifetime guarantee on exhaust, and like clockwork, the old man brought it in every 3 years to replace the dual resonators 😂. I drove it all the way back to Alberta Canada and replaced the tires, rad, pitman arm and ball joints on the way. Beautiful drive. Had to auction it off in 06 to buy my first house. Brought $6500. Watching your video made my heart ache. I had some amazing times in that car and I wish that I never let her go! Thanks 🙏
I love the Buick's styling as well as the Oldsmobile but the Oldsmobile's styling is unmatched anywhere so I'd probably would choose the Oldsmobile tornado (with air-conditioning)😅
Thanks again Adam, big fan of the channel
In their day, the Riviera and Toronado looked like they came from space in comparison to anything else. I’ll never forget the Riviera thru my school bus window. I was mesmerized.
That Toronado is fabulous. Colour, styling, the lot! It is even making me reconsider my love of the Riviera styling.
I love the Riviera best, I fell in love with those cars in middle school and it hasn't changed. The 67 Riv is still a favorite.
I’ll take that Buick. The Buick division was king of the GM conglomerate in the 60’s when it came to design aesthetics.
The ‘65 Riviera still gives me chills to this day …
This is the era when GM was at the top. The E body trio is the epitome of style.
I'm an Oldsmobile guy so I lean toward the Toronado. Autumn Bronze is such a striking color.
I've always had a soft spot for the Riviera though. The Cadillac is outstanding but I agree in regard to ride quality.
Olds would be my first choice then the Riviera.
I prefer the 1967 El Dorado hands down but they are all exceptional beauties for sure. You are one lucky guy. Thanks for the insightful and educating videos. Much appreciated.
He certainly is one rich...er.... lucky guy for sure 🤨
@@dmansf49ers71 which one did you prefer?
Riviera wins overall for me, with all parts summed together. The Toronado has a stunning front end. The Caddy has a stunning rear end. But rear wheel drive and no weak points give it the Riviera.
I'm an azz man myself, and I like the 66 Toro rear in its own right. The Eldo is the winner here in my opinion and I pick it from a styling and FWD utility perspective. He's no doubt correct about the ride quality, but I don't think that influences me as much.
Of the three, the Eldorado appeals to me. The other two are beautiful. I doubt any of those choices would been bad in 1967.
Those are all three fabulous, but man, that Buick is just over the top. Stunning. Thanks for sharing those with us.
I must say that I really enjoy your enthusiasm for the domestic rides that some of us (dating myself) grew up riding in.
They're classics!
Maybe not now in the fervor for the muscle cars (my brother and I own a '71 Chevelle that is a copo our
pop ordered), but they were definitely great cars, classic or not. We grew up in them.
It's funny when you take someone that didn't grow up in the era of quiet, sitting on the sofa type of ride, with plenty of "get on down the road ability", for a spin down the highway!
The result is almost always the same: "My 'X' (insert any brand, foreign or domestic nowadays) isn't like this!"
You damn right!!
Sure, it costs more for gas and the new cars are quicker - that doesn't mean they're better. Beauty is just that, you choose what you like. I like the old cars!
my favorite is the Boattail Riviera. Of those 3 I would go with the Eldorado. They are all attractive but I find the Cady more elegant.
Riviera gets my vote for the best of the best. Love everything about that car. I used to prefer the first gen and even the boat tail, but now I really love the 2nd gen Riviera. Yours in partial with the simple and sinister black exterior with the bright white interior is just a gorgeous combo. That said... All three of these are 10/10 styling designs.
I'm always happy to see your fleet, Adam. It's so refreshing to see these cars owned by a true enthusiast. Hope you had a wonderful weekend! Thanks for giving us a great video to finish it off with.
Thx!
Agreed. “An Iron Fist in the Velvet Glove.” My 66 had the Buick rally wheels. Adam’s car would look ridiculous with those wheels!
Of the three, Rivera is the hands down winner! I wish a '66 Pontiac Grand Prix had been added to the mix because it would be my 2nd pick!
Tornado styling would have been my pick.
@@JBsC6 We used to call em Tornados too back in HS days..
It really is incredible that GM was able to produce three of the most beautiful cars ever made in these three.
While, as you point out, they share some elements, each one stands alone as a distinct interpretation of what a personal luxury car should be.
While I’d love one of each, the Eldorado is my first choice. That’s why I’ve owned six of them, including the black ‘67 now in your collection.
Couple reasons I believe the Eldorado is the most significant.
This car was the antitheses of all Cadillacs that came before it. It’s like a minimalist work of art compared to its Baroque predecessors and siblings. It had sporting ambitions that had never crossed the mind of most Cadillac buyers. It’s design was so timeless that it was able to breath life into a moribund brand and give it a new lease on life through the Art and Science ethos.
These things can not be said about the Toronado or Riviera.
Beautiful cars I’d love to own, but nowhere near the significance of the ‘67 Eldorado.
I wish I’d kept the Eldorado you now own, but if I can’t have it, there’s no place I’d rather her be than in your garage.
In 1967, I was 15 when I first saw a 1967 Olds 98 convertible and, to this day, have never been more impressed by the styling of vehicle! The 1967 Eldorado was a close second, though.
Life goals to own all 3 honestly, just amazing the designs they had back then. I own a 2017 LaCrosse Avenir I got new when I was 16 as a gift from my family. I chose it because the styling is over the top among other sedans nowadays (I’m from 2001)
Nice ride ya got there . 😎
The Buick Riviera for me the number one car the great 1960s at its best. 🙂
The set up of all three E Cars was interesting. I liked seeing them together and hearing about them. I like how each GM brand made them different. They lost that with time, but it came back in a way. They should have kept that focus. The Riviera has some elegance in the interior because of the attention to detail. When Adam said his Toronado had a 455 Rocket, I thought about that song by Kathy Mattea 455 Rocket. "Adam has got a 455 rocket". I like all three because of GM, but would take the Oldsmobile Toronado. It is still interesting to see when power windows were optional on these cars. They became more feature loaded over time too. You still see the influence of the Eldorado in Cadillac today in 2023. Thank you Adam.
He said 425 cu in engine not 455. That didn't come for a few years! I do think he was off by 10 HP as If my memory is correct I think it was rated at 385 HP not 375 HP
He did say 455 service block
Thank you Mark. @@markbehr88
@@OLDS98 pleasure 👍
@@jakereal3604 Adam said the original Toronado engine had been replaced with a 455 by a dealer at some point.
Eldorado for me… Styling perfection and in a perfect color combination.
Few could argue against the premise of the title of this video. Fewer still after watching. I grew up around 68' to 73' Rivieras. The best ever.
Toronado 425 was rated at 385hp. Also the first year Toro sold more than 40k units. The '67 dropped in sales. The 425 had .921" lifters and a forged steel crankshaft vs the Olds 455 .842" lifters and nodular iron cast crankshaft.
I absolutely love the ElDorado’s styling … especially The rear lights and the formal roofline. Great episode Adam!
Riviera by far. My grandfather had a 66 with the mail head. I couldn't wait to drive it. Would let me drive the car to run errands. Had deluxe interior bucket seats shifter in the center console. Love the barrel speedmoter
Riviera my fave but I like the flat floor on the Toronado and Eldorado the only fwd cars that make sense to me at least there's some benefit to it. One thing that's a must for Riviera though is the console shifter it was so cool like engine throttle from a jet plane.
Yes. My 66 was specifically ordered with the split bench buckets. One important benefit was that it was convenient to make out with women in the front seat- and I had many hot women who wanted to make out in that car! 😅😅😅
I love the riviera the most. Very nice looking car.
A great comparison video, Adam. The first one of these 3 I've seen. And If I had to pick one of these three wonderful cars, I'd probably pick the Toronado.
Absolutely love these GMs without a vinyl roof. Shows the lines
I totally agree that these three cars are probably some of the best styled cars GM ever made.
What a stellar collection -unbelievable finds, all three!! I was very fortunate to have a ride once in a well restored Riviera similar to yours, think it may have been a 68 or 69 -but I agree it had a very luxurious ride for what it was. I once owned a seventies boat Riviera, and GM kept that a theme before they went front drive in '79 -those just rode different. My choice would have been the Riviera -if not for sentimental reasons 🙂 Ride quality carries a big stick though when you test drive something. Awesome job finally sharing these three in a great comparison Adam!!
OMG.. First off.. great video.. Beautiful day, 3 beautiful cars.. I really love the Toronado color. Reminds me of a 65 color that my friend had on his Catalina 2 + 2. It was a Cadillac color, and looks like this color. I have never looked at a 67 Eldorado so closely.. I have never been much of a Cadi guy. But you are right, the Eldorado is truly a work of art.. Im personally leaning towards the Toronado, but The Riv is just gorgeous... Thanks for a great video.. Big difference from the winter videos on the back porch.. ;-)
I received the Corgi Toronado as a kid in the same colour and it was my favourite toy car. The others are nice, but they just can't compare!
My oldest Brother had a toy 66 Tornado car. It was steel and a foot long! Was in the same Autumn bronze and would wind up when you pushed it backwards, then take off forward. Nobody was allowed to play with it though, but I’d sneak into his room and take it down when he was out 😁. It got lost somewhere when my mom had to sell the house. Was this like yours??
Great group. I have owned a '67 Toronado in pale yellow, with disc brakes and a black vinyl top. My Eldorado was a forest green with a black vinyl top. Great design for both. Downside for both, in the days of bias ply tires, these cars would eat front tires. Radials corrected that. '66 Toro had different front CV joints that were problematic. By '67 that was corrected. Truly some of GMs best designs.
You are a very fortunate gentlemen, not only to have the means to collect these cars, but even more rare, a place to store them.
Love the Toronado, cuz it's just so different from the other 2.
But man that Riviera is a stunner.
Yeah the Riviera.
I like them all but I would take the Riviera. Very nice presentation.
I have a 1967 Eldorado. I agree that they are a work of art!
I would love any of the three. If I could only drive one it would be the Riviera. But from a pure styling perspective the Eldorado is pure genius.
I would have picked the Riviera, but that Cadillac would have been difficult to pass up- I love the styling
Styling wise my favourite is the Toronado. It looks so futuristic and unique, like nothing you would expect from the 1960s. It looks like either a one-off concept, or a prop for a sci-fi movie!
I'm always partial to Oldsmobile...but my gosh; the sheer studliness of that Cadillac!! Just sheer asthetics, I think nose to tail, the Eldo just nails it. All three are amazing... great vid!
These really are wonderful cars. You are correct when you say that this era was a high point in GM styling. I envy your collection.
I'm a Riviera fan! I had a 65 Riviera fully loaded when I was about 20. Wish I'd never gotten rid of it. Spent a lot of years chasing them but their price keeps getting higher out of my range. But I recently got a 68 Le Sabre 400 and pretty sure it might have the same roofline and rear as your Riviera. It also has the exact same console in it! I'm really digging it! Buick all the way!
I love the styling of the Buick ... I must have one a 1966/67 in my workshop.
I can’t pick my favorite! Love em all.
I grew up in a Brooklyn Italian Neighborhood and these three cars were all over the place. My favorite is the Eldo.
I agree, The Riviera is the car to choose... I owned a 71' Boat tail and it was a real looker! I miss that car!
I too love the 71 Riviera. So cool and interesting. And the 63 Vette vibe. Odd that the boat tails were not good sellers.
My dad had a 66 Toronado in the day, he bought new. My mother hated it because it was a two door and she always had alot of kids in the car, in the back seat. If I recall correctly, we had alot of problems with the front wheel drive system and my dad got rid of it in 69 and bought a Dodge Polara. I always liked the way the car looked, beefy and wide with the cool front hideaway lights. My uncle was a supervisor at the Buffalo GM plant and would always drive cars to our house to check out. (show-off!)
I'd vote for the Buick anticipating the soon-to-be even more beautiful & stunning CLASSIC 1971-73 Buick "Boatail" Riviera in my opinion...
Great collection Adam the color combinations make the style of the cars come alive.I am a Buick guy so I am with you the one year only plum interior would be nice.I love the plum interior GM had in 1965-1966-1967.
I love the styling on all 3, particularly the Toronado, but those drum brakes. Voting with my heart: Toronado. Voting with my head: Riviera.
What an incredible trio! Of the three, my favourite by far is the Eldorado, which to me has to be among the five best designs GM ever produced in their entire history. Its like a piece of art, the more you look at it, the more details become apparent. I like the Toronado for its futuristic styling. The Riviera is attractive, but I find it much more subdued and of its time than the others. Great episode!
I like the way you think! Agree totally.
I'd pick the Riviera as well, especially if it came in the same gorgeous wine color as the Toronado.
This era was to me the peak of GM styling, with these cars the pinnacle because they were up with the Corvette at the top of the hierarchy, but it's hard to pick one. There's a part of me that wants to prefer the Riviera as maybe the most conservatively-engineered of these underneath & in its external appearance, but still a beautiful car; but I like some of the Eldorado and Toronado traits that are still informing modern designs. I think I'm 1) Toronado 2) Eldorado 3) Riviera on looks but 1) Riviera 2) Eldorado 3) Toronado if I wanted to own just one and not collect the whole set.
You put SO much effort into these videos. And it shows. The videos are so much fun to watch.
I'm not a GM fan by no means but that car is a Hallmark of engineering and I'd love to have one
Soooo hard to pick! The Oldsmobile wins my heart as the interior is gorgeous and the exterior is elegant front to back.
I'd love a 1966 Riviera in Riviera Red Iridescent (Toronado's Autumn Bronze Iridescent). It really is a glorious color.
So close but bottom line for me, Eldorado interior and exterior. Thanks Adam!
Have looked closely at both Riviera and Toronado when was residing in US. My choice has to be the Riviera👌
The Toranado is my favorite.
Toronado gets my styling vote. Riviera gets my chassis vote, though. Eldorado is an okay car; I wouldn't kick it out of my garage.
Three great examples you have of high period in GM design. Thank you for sharing.
I'd go with the Riviera.
I have owned four 1966 Toronados and wish I still had each one for different reasons. The only first generation I now own is a 1969 which I bought in 1991 for $500.
I’d pick the Eldorado. It’s a piece of art!
Toro, Elmo, Riv. PS the Riv also has a much shallower trunk. Love this comparison, thank you and congratulations on your amazing collection Adam!
Yea it’s shocking how small the trunks are on the Riv. The full size spare and gas tank takes up most of the space
I owned a 1967 Riviera, it was a friend of my Dad's and he'd let me use it for special events when I was in high school. When I was a college senior he sold it to me and bought a new Cadillac. Sadly it was stolen after two years. It was used to rob a liquor store, and out ran the police and was ditched in a quarry after being stripped. So I took the insurance money. It was purchased at a salvage auction and completely restored by a guy who owned another Riviera and always wanted to buy mine. I saw it one day when driving by his garage, when I stopped in to check to see if it was my car, he just looked at me and said "It's not for sale." I missed the car, but was so happy that it was brought back to life by someone who treasured it to too.
The Eldorado is one of the most beautiful cars ever made. No bad angles. It has aged best of the 3 and looks contemporary today.
Three examples of GM's best styling efforts. I'd buy the Riviera for the same reasons as Adam, but I think the Toronado's exterior styling is the best.
Three beautiful cars. My pick would be the Toronado, but a 67 rather than this lovely 66.
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe lol boy that’s a tough choice. All three masterpieces.
Wow. All three are magnificent. I am usually a Buick guy but the Toro is a masterpiece
Mr. McGuire, our next-door neighbor, drove into his driveway one afternoon in a red Toronado. It was 1966, and we were all watching Batman on TV. We called the Toronado a Batmobile, and were absolutely amazed at how modern it looked. It was like the future just drove into their backyard!
I would have picked the Riviera too. I still want a 66 or 67 Riviera. I’d like to find a GS in good condition but it’s ok if it’s not the GS. I love the styling of those cars.
If I was picking my favorite, I would go for the Toronado.
To jump from a 1966 to 1970 power plant, what a bonus from a service update. Way to go dude! I definitely would not complain if it were me.💪
I’m not. I’ll take it.
I had an uncle who bought Tornado's, always used. He loved then. I've driven all of them. That said, I'd pick the Riviera for its ride and brakes.
We concur with your choice of the Riv. In it's understated elegance, to us it looks like a chiseled black diamond... GM's pinnacle of design.
I love the interior of that Riviera! ♥
I'm with you, Adam. While they're all stunners. I'd pick the Buick.
The Eldorado is absolutely gorgeous, elegant and just more modern looking than the other two, in my opinion.
I have a 71 Riv but would pick the Eldorado, love black on red.
If Jay Leno had a son, it would probably have to be Adam, they both have impressive car collections, and impressive knowledge about the cars, so much like in certain ways
the Eldo rear fins look like they could steer a Boat if the could swivel ! and the Eldo Roof has a Top Hat look to it !
Terrific video. Well now, you do need the entire set of GM full-size fastbacks-with the addition of a ‘66 Pontiac 2+2 (Catalina) and a ‘66 Impala SS . ❤
I like the styling of the toronado and the sophistication of the eldorado I think I like Cadillac Best. I wish the Caddy had the 455 and rear c pillar of the buick .
Always preferred GM vehicles ❤
Had Buick Riviera, Cadillac, Oldsmobile, gold Toronado
Altho I loved my gold Lincoln Continental ❤
The color of that Oldsm😅bile is awesome .
That Toronado is absolutely stunning. If I ever won the lottery I would have that color copied on all of my vehicles. I live where it snows a lot, so I’m a fan of front wheel drive.
I like all three, being a car guy too. But I'm a fan of the Toronado, had an early 80's. Any of these three I'd be happy with. And you said you couldn't imagine test driving that '67 Riviera new. Well, I can remember being in the passenger seat of one, brand new, when my Dad had brought one home and was test driving it. I always (except when he special ordered a car) got to ride first in a new car he was crushing on. Even as young as I was. It was so cool not to have "vent" windows then. Luxury fast too. But.....he didn't buy it and kept his '65 Leman's until '68. Oh, we had a '57 TR3 then too. In '68, even though we premiered all of the Pontiac's in the showroom fall of '67, especially the Rubber nose GTO, sadly (but not) GM was not his next car after the previous three Pontiac's. A '68 Charger came home one day.
The Riv every day. Thanks for sharing them. All are outstanding.
Choosing one car over the other is like choosing your favorite child. I’d have to go with the Eldorado as overall most beautiful closely by the Riv. The Toro’s front end is gorgeous but am just not a fan of the rear end design.