Anyone have a pic of the Toronado using WD?

[67caravel]

Back in the late 60's or early 70's EAZ-Lift or Reese did an advertisement using a couple of Olds Toronados towing some boats using weight distribution where the back wheels of the Toronados were taken off. I know some of you remember this because I did a search on the forums and saw it discussed.

Does anybody have a copy of the advertisement they could post here? I would love to share it with another forum.

Thanks in advance,

X

[Road Ruler]

Sure! They used a conventional WDH to do this test.

It does show the effectiveness of the weight distributing feature of this connection system.

[overlander63]

9 years later, we have our answer...

[Becky B.]

Originally Posted by overlander63

9 years later, we have our answer...

Ha!Ha!

[Road Ruler]

..... ya I know it is a little late to the gate. LOL

Also found some more info on the original FWD Olds Toronado.

The FWD system used in the cars, although fresh to the industry was so HD it was used in the GM built motorhomes.

[overlander64]

Originally Posted by Road Ruler

..... ya I know it is a little late to the gate. LOL

Also found some more info on the original FWD Olds Toronado.

The FWD system used in the cars, although fresh to the industry was so HD it was used in the GM built motorhomes.

My research indicates that the motor, transmission/transaxle is virtually identical to what was utilized in the 1970-1978 Oldsmobile Tornado/Cadillac Eldorado (so far as I am aware the factory only utilized the Oldsmobile 455 V8 in the GMC Motorhomes). The motorhome use much heavier torsion bars in the front suspension . . . have been trying to locate a source for these as I would like to find out whether they could be retrofitted to my Eldorado as its originals are sagging and don't have any adjustment left for vertical lift. Believe it or not, my research also indicates that the final drive ratio in the GMC motorhomes was 3.07 . . . it still seems that a 3.07 final drive would provide less than good performance . . . I know the 2.70 final drive in my Cadillac stuggles on hills with my '64 Overlander (6,100 pounds loaded for travel).

Kevin

P.S.: My research indicates that there were very few changes to the basic transmission/transaxle from its introduction in 1966 through its discontinuance in 1978. It seems that the final drive wa 3.07 for 1966-1973 and 2.70 from 1973-1978.

[overlander64]

I am not certain what year the advertisement appeared in trailering publications, but one of the Class III trailer hitch manufacturers had an advertisement illustrating a Chevrolet Citation towing a trailer with its rear wheels removed. I believe that the advertisement appeared in 1978 but could have been as late as 1980.

Kevin

P.S.: Found the Photo -- it is dated 1980:

[Road Ruler]

Thnxs for the info Kevin. If you look close at the GM motorhome chassis pic you can see that it still has the 5 bolt front axles. It seems to me I have seen a photo of one with eight. They may have upgraded the front axles in the later years.

[Ganaraska]

I remember the original ad from the 60s. There was an article about it in a magazine, they said they tightened the anti sway good and tight and the whole rig drove around as one. I don't know if they took it on the road but they did drive it around and photograph it.

[overlander64]

Greetings Road Ruler!

Originally Posted by Road Ruler

Thnxs for the info Kevin. If you look close at the GM motorhome chassis pic you can see that it still has the 5 bolt front axles. It seems to me I have seen a photo of one with eight. They may have upgraded the front axles in the later years.

I think that you are correct. My suspicion is that they found it difficult to find 15" tires with sufficient weight carrying capacity, and those Tornado/Eldorado wheels are a known design issue as they can be easily bent by just barely rubbing a curb . . . one of the most difficult parts to find when refurbishing a 1966-1978 Eldorado/Tornado is a set of five OEM wheels that aren't bent or otherwise out-of-true . . . . I looked for four years and had to give up and have six of the best salvage yard wheels that I could find restored to a degree of trueness that the tires wouldn't prematurely wear on my Tornado.

Kevin