Video: Jay Leno’s 1,076 Horsepower Olds Toronado Goes Virtual

leno-olds-1In the early 1960s, something like 90% of American automobiles were rear-wheel drive, because that’s what Americans knew and loved. Slowly but surely though, automakers introduces more and more front-wheel drive models, included the odd Oldsmobile Toronado. Equipped with a powerful V8 engine that drove the front wheels, the Olds Toronado is one of the weirdest production models to come out of Detroit.

Naturally, weird-car guy Jay Leno had to own one, though he had some major modifications made a few years back that made his Toronado a proper front-engine, rear-wheel drive vehicle. So when the designers of Gran Turismo 6 visited his California garage and saw this awesome Toronado, they decided it had to be part of a virtual download pack.

leno-olds-2Of course Leno did more than just put a front-drive car onto a rear-drive frame. In fact, Leno straight-up replaced the original drivetrain, swapping in a heavily modified motor and transmission from the Cadillac CTS-V. With the addition of two turbochargers, the Toronado nearly triples its output, producing some 1,076 horsepower.

As you might imagine, such a car (weighing in at over 4,000 pounds!) is difficult to drive in anything but a straight line. Even so, it’s so cool and unique that Gran Turismo’s designers decided that it had to be included in an upcoming virtual download pack featuring all sorts of crazy, out-there cars. Yet somehow we think Leno’s Toronado is the wildest of them all.

About the author

Chris Demorro

Christopher DeMorro is a freelance writer and journalist from Connecticut with two passions in life; writing and anything with an engine.
Read My Articles

Hot Rods and Muscle Cars in your inbox.

Build your own custom newsletter with the content you love from Street Muscle, directly to your inbox, absolutely FREE!

Free WordPress Themes
Street Muscle NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

streetmusclemag

We'll send you the most interesting Street Muscle articles, news, car features, and videos every week.

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

Street Muscle NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

streetmusclemag

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...


fordmuscle
Classic Ford Performance
dragzine
Drag Racing
chevyhardcore
Classic Chevy Magazine

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...

  • fordmuscle Classic Ford Performance
  • dragzine Drag Racing
  • chevyhardcore Classic Chevy Magazine

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

streetmusclemag

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Loading