Jo-Han 1971 and 1972 Oldsmobile Toronado comparison

[fomocomav]

     There is nothing more beautiful than a ‘70s land yacht (except for the Maverick J).  I thought since I had 2 DIFFERENT Toronado kits, I’d take some pictures and post them for you fine folks.

The Boxes:

     The box top illustrations are similar in appearance, except for the diagonal stripes and the yellow TORONADO  on the 1971 Kit.  Those are the biggest giveaway.    If you look only at the car for a quick glance, you can miss it.  I did when I first saw them.  I was too focused on the red, white and blue scheme of the car.  The long side flaps are similar on one side (the drawing of the car coming around the bend) and the exact same on the other side (pic from dealer brochure). 

     You have to look closely to see the small differences in the illustrations.  First, the 1971 has no vinyl top.  Second, on the drawing on the side flap of the car coming around the corner, you will also notice the different number of vertical dividers in the grilles on the bottom of the bumper (the '71 has more).

     The instructions are the exact same.  Either someone substituted a different set before I got these, or Jo-Han never had them re-drawn to reflect the update.

[fomocomav]

     Inside, we find the 1971 kit is molded in white, while the 1972 kit is in ivory.  The details on this kit are very nice.  Typical Jo-Han for the era.  The quality is basically what you would expect from a Jo-Han kit. 

 

     The bodies are only different in that one has a vinyl roof, and the other doesn’t.  I’m basing my model year designations on the promo kits I’ve found online.  I could be off.  The front bumper grilles are the only other differences I can find.  I’ve only posted pictures from one kit here, because they are no different other than the bumper and the roof. 

 

     I checked the dealer brochures for both 1971 and 1972 for the Toronado, and the interior details (dash layout, seat pattern, door panel pattern) are the same.  I haven’t checked any pictures of the engine for detail differences there. 

[Can-Con]

The '71 also has the louvers on the trunk lid that every '71 full size GM car had for ventilation. Only year they had that.

The engine and chassis are exactly the same parts that were in all JoHan toros since '66. [also Caddy Eldorados except for the CADILLAC lettering on the valve covers]

 

Here's a couple shots of my '72 Toro

[fomocomav]

Thanks for pointing that out!  And a very nice looking Toronado you have there!

[disabled modeler]

That is AWESOME...!  My first real car was a 72 Toronado....been looking for a affordable kit or promo for some time now.  Mine was dark green with a cream colored top and interior...great car.

[tomsheehy]

My built 71...built in 2006

[Bob Ellis]

I picked up my '72 Toronado at Woolworths when they piled them at 99 cents. The were piled with the '71 442s. I knew that the 71s had trunk louvers, but now I know that the '72 has the grocery cart door protection strip that the '71 doesn't have.

My neighbor had a white with mint green vinyl top. So I built my Johan that way.

One of the nicest Johan models ever made.

[unclescott58]

I have a '72 sitting in waiting. I had to fix the "A" pillars. The chrome is bad. I need to send those parts off to Chrome-Tech. Beyond that it's complete and looks great. Still a favorite car of mine.

[disabled modeler]

Those are just gorgeous cars and builds...I need to find me one for my family owned vehicle replica collection.  I bought my 1 to 1 car at 16 years old for 400.oo needed nothing and very good condition from the original owners at 80,000 miles...it never asked for anything ran and rode great.  I loved their classy looks and performance.  

[om617]

Thanks for sharing,very nice kit. The built ones are beautiful. 

[tim boyd]

Both those finished Toro's are super-scharp.  Great job, guys.  TIM 

[Motor City]

My Dad died a few months ago, so I retrieved some of the models last night from my folks' house.  Among them was the '72 kit, one of twelve promos and kits I bought at the Jo-Han plant in '74 for $3.00 each.  I should have kept them all.

[disabled modeler]

My Dad died a few months ago, so I retrieved some of the models last night from my folks' house.  Among them was the '72 kit, one of twelve promos and kits I bought at the Jo-Han plant in '74 for $3.00 each.  I should have kept them all.

Jim.... Sorry to hear about your dad...my deepest condolences.  Really glad you got his old ones...far too many times they are just tossed out.  its cool he had the 72 Toro...was my first 1 to 1 car at 16 years old.  The Johan snap and promo kits were my favorites too..still are.  I am lucky enough to have what is left of my dads oldies to restore.

[Motor City]

Jim.... Sorry to hear about your dad...my deepest condolences.  Really glad you got his old ones...far too many times they are just tossed out.  its cool he had the 72 Toro...was my first 1 to 1 car at 16 years old.  The Johan snap and promo kits were my favorites too..still are.  I am lucky enough to have what is left of my dads oldies to restore.

thanks, Mark; he had a good, long life; I plan to build it at some point;

that was a cool first car to own; mine was a '71 Eldorado (mine was shot, but I wish I still had it in some ways); those old E bodies could go through anything

 

 

[disabled modeler]

thanks, Mark; he had a good, long life; I plan to build it at some point;

that was a cool first car to own; mine was a '71 Eldorado (mine was shot, but I wish I still had it in some ways); those old E bodies could go through anything

 

 

Jim... Your welcome.  I love the big Caddys too we owned a few...67,68,69,70 coupe/sedan DeVilles even a 68 Hearse once.  My dad wanted to build/collect models/promos of the cars the family had owned over the years so that is my plan too now...he had some of them in his collection but they need parts in order to restore them to what he would have wanted them to be...I hope.  When I got another 1 to 1 car I gave my Toro to my mom she drove it for years.  Be nice if these would be easier to find now.

[Motor City]

Mark,

Those are some awesome cars.  I'll bet the hearse got a lot of attention.

I'd like to have a model for every car I've owned, but not all were made.  What I have: '68 Eldo, '71 Eldo, '73 Caprice 454 hardtop, '87 El Camino (use '82 kit and '86 El Camino SS kit), '91 Beretta.

The others weren't made: '76 Regal coupe, '77 Eldo Biarritz, '89 Riviera, '95 Riviera, '01 Monte Carlo SS.  I do have a die cast of the Monte Carlo SS in the exact color combination.  My Dad bought the Caprice, Regal and Rivieras new.  I bought the El Camino, Beretta and Monte Carlo new. 

 I've still got most of these cars and need to pare down.      

[disabled modeler]

Mark,

Those are some awesome cars.  I'll bet the hearse got a lot of attention.

I'd like to have a model for every car I've owned, but not all were made.  What I have: '68 Eldo, '71 Eldo, '73 Caprice 454 hardtop, '87 El Camino (use '82 kit and '86 El Camino SS kit), '91 Beretta.

The others weren't made: '76 Regal coupe, '77 Eldo Biarritz, '89 Riviera, '95 Riviera, '01 Monte Carlo SS.  I do have a die cast of the Monte Carlo SS in the exact color combination.  My Dad bought the Caprice, Regal and Rivieras new.  I bought the El Camino, Beretta and Monte Carlo new. 

 I've still got most of these cars and need to pare down.      

Jim... I have the same problem...the ones i do have of them need parts and repairs,some were never made as kids or promos,others I cant find where I could afford them.  I have a 83 ElCamino promo and a 90s Beretta promo.  The list of vehicle our family owned is huge my friend.

[peekay]

Thanks for the great review, first chance I've had to peak inside the box of one of these. I always enjoy this sort of post.

And the two built models are beautiful!

[Motor City]

Mark,

I've still got most of the real cars.  You kind of get attached to them.      

 

 

1968eldo.bmp

[disabled modeler]

Mark,

I've still got most of the real cars.  You kind of get attached to them.      

 

 

1968eldo.bmp

Jim... I hear that one...I had a few I really miss that we had to sell off after my accident to pay on the bills...that hurt.

[Ron Hamilton]

I did a ;71 Toronado when it was a new car, and I would love to have it back to re-do. Well, I recently found an unbuilt '72 In my stash, which is on the "to do" list. I thought those cars were so cool.

[disabled modeler]

Ron...Your lucky to have those...my first real car was a 72...been after a model or promo of one for years now.  Beautiful and powerful cars.

[Dodge Driver]

Thought I'd give this thread a bump, due to the great photos here.

[yellowsportwagon]

I noticed something in looking at this old thread. The promo 71-72 Toro has the correct coil spring rear suspension chassis. The kit chassis is only accurate for 66-70 Toros

[unclescott58]

7 hours ago, yellowsportwagon said:

I noticed something in looking at this old thread. The promo 71-72 Toro has the correct coil spring rear suspension chassis. The kit chassis is only accurate for 66-70 Toros

Any photos of the promo, and it rear suspension?