Rides Leno's Tornado

[ballistic69]

I liked the build up. I found irony in comparing it to a $150k Bentlet GT though, with all the fabrication, 2 C5's cut apart and GM's involvement, I guestimate the Torino cost at least $200k to build.

[ProdigyCustoms]

That is exactly my point Todd. They made such a big deal of the cars historical significance of front wheel drive, then gave it up? The made a big point they wanted to compete with the new Bentley, a all wheel drive car? For that matter, they could have left it a front driver with a hoped up Northstar? Is it a cool car, hell yeah, I just thought they lost their focus along the way.

[toddshotrods]

Hey man, I called you Frank - is that your name?!?! If not I apologize. I am horrible with names, and I after I posted that I kept wondering if I had it right.

I agree 100% on them losing focus. Still a cool car, but seems to have veered a little to the left from conception to execution.

From what I have seen, that seems to be common with custom vehicles though. On one extreme, the factories have focus groups, etc, and spend a boat load of money developing solid themes for production vehicles. At the other end of the spectrum you have a lot of custom shops that seem to just throw every trick in the book at a project and call it a day.

No offense to anyone's particular building style. I am really talking about some of the "big name" shops that build a lot of theme vehicles that often end up being watered down dreams. I think the difference shows in the end because the ones who nail it produce vehicles that are talked about for years, not forgotten in months.

Here you have Big Red and El Mule. Streetrodding had the Foose designed Boydsters I & II. Street Machines will have Chicayne, etc. They are vehicles that you can look back at years later and still marvel at, and often become the benchmark for future builds. I think Leno's original idea could have been that profound. An Olds (which will soon be no more) Toronado (the once great technological wonder) sport luxury coupe (an American icon) taking on Bentley's new dream car, with GM's best new technology. But hey, I am just a broke little dreamer with a few unfinished projects and a small shop on the back of my house. He is a successful millionaire with a warehouse full of rolling dream machines! More power to him because he loves his new toy, and that's really all that matters in the end.

You guys should build that Riv! That would be a nice way to set the pace for the twenty-first century!

Todd

[ProdigyCustoms]

Yes it is Frank. We are in tune.

[Larry Callahan]

I finally got to watch the episode last night. Too cool! Leno is near me. I think I'll try to pay a visit after the new year and see if I can get more info (or a ride) in his new toy.

I love the fact it looks totally stock!

[PeteRR]

Great project. It was the best use of two Corvettes I ever saw.

[moparguy]

If that car is not protouring then I dont know what is. I dont think they dropped the ball or lost sight during the build of the car. They said that they wanted it to compete with a Bentley GT and it certainly does that and more!
I think them mentioning the cars heritage was just being insightful about the old car in general.
That buildup seems to rank very high in the pro-touring hall of fame