Although the rotational direction of the transmission gears had to be reversed, a large number of components were shared with the conventional TH400. The chains were made from very strong hardened steel and required no tensioners or idler pulleys because they were pre-stretched on a special machine at the factory. ![]() ![]() The Hy-Vo chain drive was developed by GM's Hydra-Matic Division and Morse Chain Division of Borg-Warner. Called the TH425 in FWD form, the transmission's torque converter was separated from its planetary gearset, with the torque converter driving the gearset through a 2 in (51 mm) wide silent chain-drive called Hy-Vo, riding on two 7.5 in (19 cm) sprockets. The Turbo-Hydramatic heavy-duty three-speed automatic transmission became available during development of the Toronado. The Toronado intake manifold's unique shape was depressed to allow for engine hood clearance. It was an increase of 10 hp (7.5 kW) over the Starfire 425, and an increase of 20 hp (15 kW) over the standard 425 engine in the Ninety-Eight. Oldsmobile engineers selected a conventional, though performance-boosted, Olds 425 cu in (7 L) Super Rocket V8 rated at 385 hp (287 kW) and 475 lb⋅ft (644 N⋅m) of torque. It had a stiffer sidewall than normal, and the tread and stylishly thin white pin-stripe were also unique. They proved so well-built the UPP was employed basically unchanged in the 1970s GMC motorhome.įirestone designed an 8.85" x 15" tire especially for the Toronado called the TFD ( Toronado- Front- Drive) tire. During its seven-year development, UPP components were driven over 1.5 million test miles to verify their strength and reliability. The unusual Toronado powertrain developed by Oldsmobile, called the Unitized Power Package ( UPP), packaged a Rocket V8 and transmission into an engine bay no larger than one for a conventional rear-wheel drive car. In 1956 Oldsmobile had also introduced a personal 2-door concept car called the Oldsmobile Golden Rocket that didn't progress into production. However, the capability to develop and engineer it on such short notice was doubtful. Hooven of the Ford Motor Company, had patented a similar FWD layout, and Ford considered the design for the 1961 Ford Thunderbird. ![]() Although initially envisioned for the smaller F-85 line, its cost and experimental nature pushed the program towards a larger, more expensive car. Oldsmobile had been working on front-wheel drive since 1958, a project shepherded by engineer John Beltz (who originated the 4-4-2 and would later become head of the division). Despite the efforts of Oldsmobile and General Motors styling chief Bill Mitchell to put the car on the smaller A-body intermediate used by the Oldsmobile Cutlass, they were overruled for cost reasons. For production economy, the still-unnamed car was to share the so-called E-body shell with the redesigned 1966 Buick Riviera (then entering its second generation), which was substantially larger than North had envisioned. A few weeks after the design was finished, however, Oldsmobile division was informed it would be permitted to build a personal car in the Riviera/Thunderbird class for the 1966 model year, and North's design was selected. His "Flame Red Car" was a compact sports/personal car never intended for production. The Toronado began as a design painting by Oldsmobile stylist David North in 1962. The 1967 Toronado's 425 cubic-inch Super Rocket V8 engine
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