1966 Two Engine Toronado – The Ultimate Sleeper Car 850HP
For those of you who follow my offerings, you will recall the very unique two engine 1966 Toronado built by the Grant Piston Ring Company. That car was sold in 2007. Imagine my surprise and delight when I received a phone call from a gentleman from Olympia, WA who also owns a similar two engine 1966 Toronado.
The car was built by the late John Gorman, a true craftsman and known for his building of the Indy car driven by Jerry Grant. The VIN # on this car is 396876M502405 and mileage is 6886 (believed to have been zeroed out when the second engine was installed).
The folklore of this particular car is that the builder John Gorman was part of the engineering team that designed and built the Grant Piston Ring car. He decided to build another one for himself while improving, modifying and creatively adding some amazing engineering wizardry to this car.
The current owner purchased this car in 1978 and has only driven it approx. 300 miles in the last 32 years. Unlike the Grant Piston Ring Toronado which needed a complete restoration, this car is in very nice condition and can be enjoyed and driven today. The car was re-painted prior to 1978 and the paint is holding up quite well considering the amount of time that has passed. It is certainly not show condition but it is quite good according to the owner.
Spring 2011, both carbs were rebuilt. Car starts and runs fine.
This unique car features:
4-Wheel Drive
850 Cubic Inches
approx. 850 Horsepower
MSD igntion system
high performance Oldsmobile camshafts
Holley 850 CFM double pumper carbs
| Unique Features of this Car |
Street legal engines may be operated together or independently. Only two of these cars are in existence today of which the original car was built by Grant Piston Ring Company at a cost of $40,000 in 1966. This car, the second one built, has far more engineering advancements over the first including:
• Unique single oversized cooling system to support both engines. Coolant lines route through frame rails to support rear engine with modified rear engine water pump to allow rear seat/firewall clearance
• Single Tachometer and Throttle pedal to run both engines
• Oil pressure gauge light split to show both engines separately
• Oldsmobile rocker switch starts rear engine
• Two engines feed off of the one original gas tank
• Oldsmobile switch located on dash modified to override the transmission and shift from 3rd to 2nd using the horn button.
• Two extra fans in front, and two in trunk to remove engine heat
• Functional trunk w/o view of rear engine
• This car has a functional trunk and a functional rear seat to completely conceal the rear engine. The Grant car had a back seat but no trunk.
• Car has been driven less than 300 miles in last 32 years by same owner
• Odometer reads 6,886
| Car Specifications |
Drivetrain:
Engines (2)
No. of cylinders and type………………………………………..……… V-8 OHV
Bore x Stroke, mm…………………………………………………..…… 105 x 101
Inch…………………………………………..………….……………… . 4.11 x 3.98
Displacement (cubic inches)……………………………………………. 850
Compressions Ratio…………………………………………………… 10.5:1
BHP @rpm (both engines)………………………………………….. 850 @4800
Ignition………………………………………………………………. 2 Independent systems/MSD
Fuel Type……………………………………………………………… Premium Unleaded
Chassis & Suspension:
Frame Type…………………………………………….. Boxed perimeter supplemented by Grant sub frame in rear
Brake System…………………………………………… Drum front and rear
Swept Area………………………………………………………… 367 sq. in.
Tire Size…………………………………………………..………. . 8.85-15
Steering Type………………………………………………… Power Rack & Pinion
Turns, lock to lock………………………………………………………….. . 3.4
Turning Circle……………………………………………………..……… .. 43.3
Front Suspension………………………………….. Unequal, A-arms, torsion bars, tube shocks, anti roll bars
Rear Suspension…………………………………… Same as front, except mounted on subframe with locked tie rods
General:
Curb Weight, lb……………………………………………….…… 5661
Test Weight, lb……………………………………………….……. 6041
Weight Distribution (with driver)
Front/Rear %……………………………………………………………………. 48/52
Wheelbase, in…………………………………………………. 120.0
Track, front/rear, in……………………………………………… 63.5/63.5
Overall length, in…………………………………………………. 211.0
Width………………………………………………..…………… 78.5
Height……………………………………………….…………….. 52.8
Frontal Area, sq.ft……………………………………………….. 23.0
Ground Clearance, in…………………………………………… 4.7
Overhang, front/rear…………………………………………… 48.0/42.0
Departure Angle, degree………………………………………… 13.4
Usable Truck Space, cubic ft.……………………….……….. 12
Drivetrain: (2)
Transmissions…………………………. Automatic, torque converter, 3-Speed Turbo Hydromatic TH400
Gear Ratios: 3rd (1.00)………………………………………… 3.21:1
2nd (1.48)…………………………………………..…………… 4.76:1
1st (2.48)…………………………………………….…………. 7.96:1
Differential Type……………………………………………….. Planetary
Ratio…………………………………………………………….. 3.21
Instrumentation:
Tachometer……………………………………………………….……… 1
Ignition Switches………………………………………………..………… 2
Water Temperature Gauge…………………………………..………… 2
Oil Pressure Gauge……………………………………….…………….. 2
Fuel Gauge………………………………………………………………… 1
Speedometer, 130mph………………………………….………………. 1
Fuel Consumption
Normal Driving, mpg…………………………………………………… 7-10
Data plate information:
ST-09C
TR66-39687
EUC-1077-Body
050-D- XX Paint
5Y Body by Fisher
VIN # 396876M502405
VIN Decodes as follows:
First digit – GM line = 3 = Olds
2nd & 3rd digit = series within model line = 96 = Toronado Deluxe
4th and 5th digit = body type = 87 = 2 door plain back hardtop coupe
6th digit = year = 6 = 1966
7th digit = production plant = M = Lansing, MI
last 6 digits = sequential production # = 502405
The data plate information decodes as:
ST = style = 09C
TR66 = refers to the year 1966
39687 = same as above VIN Decode
EUC = refers to Toronado
1077 = refers to body #
050Trim refers to black all vinyl interior (not sure about the D)
XXpaint = porcelain white
5Y = refers to the build date = May (not sure about the Y)
According to my research, the Toronado Deluxe model includes:
– Strato Front Seat with Fold-Down Armrest
– Full-Length Front Door Armrests with Dual Door Handles
– Optional Power Window and Seat Controls Located in Deluxe Armrests
– Assist Handles on Door Panels
– Unique Sew Style on Seats and Side Trim Panels
– Wheel Trim Rings
– Door Panel Reflectors
| In Summary |
– Truly a unique ’66 Toronado
– I believe that there are only 2 of these twin engine Toronados in the world
– You will be the hit at the next cars & coffee in this car
– Carbs just tuned – it runs fine
– Watch the video to get a better feeling about how this unique car works
| Vehicle Condition |
I have not viewed or photographed this great car. I am relying on the pictures, video and details provided to me by the seller. I can tell based on numerous conversations that this car has been well maintained and well loved. The owner has owned this car for 32 years.
Owner suggests that the tires be replaced (they are 30 years old).
The owner invites and encourages any interested party to inspect this car in Olympia, WA and see this car for yourself. Seeing is really believing.
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Price: $59,000
Terms & Conditions
This item is being sold as is, where is with no warranty, expressed written or implied unless there is a warranty in effect from the factory. The seller shall not be responsible for the correct description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein, and makes no warranty in connection therewith. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, imperfection, defect or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected this item, and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgement solely. The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects associated with this vehicle at the buyer’s request prior to the close of sale. Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs regardless of any oral statements about the item.
Buyer is responsible for cost of shipping but seller may be able to assist in arranging shipping. I can be reached at (630) 567-0066 to discuss the item.
Good luck!