Thursday, March 10, 2011

eBay Find of the Day: George Barris� 70-X Toronado from Expo �67


George Barris is a living legend, perhaps best known for his work on the Lincoln Futura-based Batmobile for the �60s Batman TV series starring Adam West. One of his lesser-known creations is this: the 70-X Toronado, aka a heavily customized 1967 Oldsmobile Toronado. It was one of four custom Olds� commissioned by Canada�s Imperial Oil and built by Barris for Expo �67 in Montreal. And now you have the chance to own this unique piece of customising history for the low, low price of US$99,000.

The Toronado held the distinction of being the first front wheel drive car produced in the U.S. since the Cords of the 1930s, though was otherwise ordinary for the time. A 425ci big block under the hood, a wide grin and two sharp fender protrusions to impale unsuspecting pedestrians were the standout features of the �67 model year. In Barris� hands, though, the Toronado became something even more exotic.

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