. He should know better! An for a TORONADO???
Leno Cuts Up 2 C5's
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From: All that glitters is Gold - Hockey Is CANADA'S game
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by stangkiller18
Pictures?!
Here is a write MotorTrend
Combining the classic style of a 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado with the contemporary punch of concept engine pushing more than 1000 horsepower, Jay Leno's project car serves as a real-world evaluator for products under consideration by GM Performance Parts. While the exterior appears to be an accurate restoration, a C5 Corvette chassis and transaxle was modified and grafted beneath the Toronado's bodywork. Underhood a 425-cubic-inch engine uses a modified aluminum block and cylinder heads from the Cadillac CTS-V racing program. The basic aluminum double-wishbone suspension with front and rear transverse leaf spring was retained, although new springs and Bilstein shocks were added to fine-tune the car's handling and support the Toronado's heavier steel body. In the trunk is hidden a custom fuel cell, a pair of high-volume electric fuel pumps, a 12-volt battery, and custom air conditioning system designed by Vintage Air
Last edited by Zilla; Dec 22, 2004 at 10:47 AM.
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From: Philadelphia Burbs
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St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by LANZ06
Anyone see the show RIDES last night. Jay leno was having a Toronado custom made. He was converting it from front wheel drive to rear wheel drive. He cut up 2 C5's to complete the project. He said the hardest part of the project was keeping the Corvette guys from finding out what he did to the Corvettes.
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From: Houston, Tx Got traction?
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08
Thanks for the picture! Is this basically a Corvette drivetrain with a Tornado Body? IRS with an aluminum block LS series engine?
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From: Schaumburg IL
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St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Originally Posted by j3studio
He loves Vettes - I'd give him a little room on this one. Look at it this way: was he supposed to use bad donor parts?
ligthen up guys..you won't find a lot of car enthusiatis like Jay Leno, he is a true Gear Head at heart...and being a millionare he can do just about anything he wants to pursue his passion.I wouldn't care if he cut up 20 vettes
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
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Sad to see the C5's go down, but that Olds is a beast.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Dallas TX
Originally Posted by Jackal
Im sorry but that car was just about the ugliest I have ever seen. It may be one of a kind, but I wouldnt want it, even if it had 2000 HP.
The thought of destroying two vettes is just not right 
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: rancho santa margarita, ca
Originally Posted by roscoe118
Well, he did add that they were destined to be scrapped 
How about a Toronado with 1000HP
Couldn't help but love the perma-grin he had on his face while he was driving the car
BTW, was the James Hall on the show the Jim Hall from Halltech Eng?
How about a Toronado with 1000HP
Couldn't help but love the perma-grin he had on his face while he was driving the car
BTW, was the James Hall on the show the Jim Hall from Halltech Eng?
Besides, think of it this way.... that's two less c5's on the road, so the value of all of our cars just went up.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 801
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From: Ashburn VA
The C5s were already destined for the scrap heap (totaled I believe), so no harm no foul. Jay is my hero any ways. Every man should be able to collect cars like matchboxes like he does, and he's very down to earth about it. Just has a great passion like most of us with the bank roll to back it up. Must be nice to be the king!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Camden County NJ
I'm sure it will be off the hook. Jay is a true car buff with the bank to back it. If anyone really loves American muscle, it's him. I dought if he does something disrepectful to the Vette. I guess we will have to wait and see
Last edited by BT-01-vette; Dec 22, 2004 at 05:06 PM.
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From: Apple Pie Moonshine Bring it back
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by MSGvette
The thought of destroying two vettes is just not right So really he saved them from the crusher.
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Zilla
Just found a picture, the car is now rear wheel drive. another interesting tidbit abouot the C5 chassis was that is actually wider than the Toronado due to the fact that the Toronado body curves inwards ...............
