Oldsmobile Toronado a real victory

Jim Ostrander has a soft spot for discarded and unloved things — especially vehicles. He's found they're big on fun and small on price. Even before he could drive, he scooped up a worn-out and well-loved 1967 Chevy Impala for just $75.

Since then, he's been a full-fledged “car guy,” owning GTOs, Firebirds and 442s. The Schaumburg resident's eyes are always peeled for a good deal. And in 2009, he stumbled into yet another one.

Ostrander was working for Victory Auto Wreckers in Bensenville when one summer day he saw a 1968 Oldsmobile Toronado come cruising in on the back of one of the company flatbed tow trucks. Unable to spot noticeable damage or an overt reason for its arrival, he inquired about the vehicle's past.

He learned the luxury-oriented Olds was bought new in 1968 on Chicago's South Side. That first owner traded it in just one year later. The second owner had it until he passed in the early 2000s. It then sat in the family's Addison garage for the rest of the decade until his wife, ready to part with the coupe, called Victory to haul it away.

Once on the junkyard's lot, Ostrander's co-worker managed to coax the massive 455-cubic-inch “Rocket” V-8 back to life simply by adding a battery and spraying some fresh gas in the carburetor.

While the rejected relic was running and driving, its return to the road wasn't guaranteed. The price of scrap steel was high and the hefty old classic could fetch quite a handsome return.

Before sending the Toronado to its doom in the crusher, Ostrander's boss offered it up to anyone who had the cold hard cash to match its value as scrap. Ostrander eagerly plunked down the needed dough and drove it home.

After a good cleaning, the interior was shining like new. A few maintenance parts were installed, including an alternator, water pump and drive axle. After taking care of some light surface rust, Ostrander had the vehicle painted in its original light green color.

“Driving it is just like floating leisurely down the road,” Ostrander said.

On those marshmallowly jaunts around town, the car enthusiast is usually found accompanied by his pit bull, Sophie. The four-legged friend had been involved in four different car accidents before being rescued by Ostrander from an area shelter.

“Nothing makes her happier than going for a ride,” said Ostrander. “And nothing makes people smile like seeing her go by.”