<PAGE>

   As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 20, 2002

                                                  Registration No. 333-_________

================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   ----------

                                    FORM S-8

             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                         TOREADOR RESOURCES CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                  DELAWARE                                   75-0991164
        (State or other jurisdiction                      (I.R.S. Employer
      of incorporation or organization)                  Identification No.)

         4809 COLE AVENUE, SUITE 108
                DALLAS, TEXAS                                   75205
  (Address of Principal Executive Offices)                   (Zip Code)

                   AMENDED AND RESTATED 1990 STOCK OPTION PLAN
        AMENDED AND RESTATED 1994 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN
                             2002 STOCK OPTION PLAN
                            (Full title of the plan)

                              G. THOMAS GRAVES III
                      PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                         TOREADOR RESOURCES CORPORATION
                           4809 COLE AVENUE, SUITE 108
                               DALLAS, TEXAS 75205
                     (Name and address of agent for service)

                                 (214) 559-3933
          (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

                                    Copy to:
                                JANICE V. SHARRY
                              HAYNES AND BOONE, LLP
                           901 MAIN STREET, SUITE 3100
                               DALLAS, TEXAS 75202
                                 (214) 651-5562

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<Table>
<Caption>
=====================================================================================================================
     Title of Securities       Amount To Be    Proposed Maximum Offering      Proposed Maximum           Amount of
      To Be Registered          Registered          Price per Share       Aggregate Offering Price   Registration Fee
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>              <C>                        <C>                        <C>
COMMON STOCK,
$.15625 PAR VALUE..........   1,136,960(1),(2)        $3.00(3)                 $3,410,880(3)             $313.80
=====================================================================================================================
</Table>

(1)  This registration statement also covers such additional and indeterminate
     number of shares as may become issuable pursuant to the antidilution
     provisions of the employee benefit plans described herein and as
     promulgated by Rule 416 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(2)  Includes 336,960 shares of common stock authorized for issuance pursuant to
     the Toreador Resources Corporation Amended and Restated 1990 Stock Option
     Plan, as amended to date, 300,000 shares of common stock authorized for
     issuance pursuant to the Toreador Resources Corporation Amended and
     Restated 1994 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan and 500,000 shares of
     common stock authorized for issuance pursuant to the Toreador Resources
     Corporation 2002 Stock Option Plan.

(3)  Estimated solely for the purposes of calculating the registration fee
     pursuant to Rule 457(c) and 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
     amended, on the basis of the average of the high and low sales prices of
     the common stock on the Nasdaq National Market on September 19, 2002.


<PAGE>
                STATEMENT UNDER GENERAL INSTRUCTION E TO FORM S-8

         Toreador Resources Corporation ("Toreador") previously filed (i) a
registration statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-14145) with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on October 15, 1996 to register 225,000
shares of common stock authorized for issuance pursuant to the Toreador Royalty
Corporation (n/k/a Toreador Resources Corporation) 1990 Stock Option Plan, to
register 200,000 shares of common stock authorized for issuance pursuant to the
Toreador Royalty Corporation (n/k/a Toreador Resources Corporation) 1994
Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, and 340,000 shares issuable upon the
exercise of certain non-qualified options granted to certain employees,
directors and consultants of Toreador, (ii) a registration statement on Form S-8
(Registration No. 333-88475) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
October 5, 1999 to register 295,000 shares of common stock authorized for
issuance pursuant to the Toreador Royalty Corporation (n/k/a Toreador Resources
Corporation) Amended and Restated 1990 Stock Option Plan and (iii) a
registration statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-53632) with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on January 12, 2001 to register 143,040
shares of common stock authorized for issuance pursuant to the Toreador
Resources Corporation Amended and Restated 1990 Stock Option Plan.

         Toreador is filing this registration statement on Form S-8 with the
Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to General Instruction E to Form S-8
to register (i) an additional 336,960 shares of common stock authorized for
issuance pursuant to the Toreador Resources Corporation Amended and Restated
1990 Stock Option Plan, as amended to date, (ii) an additional 300,000 shares of
common stock authorized for issuance pursuant to the Toreador Resources
Corporation Amended and Restated 1994 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan
and (iii) 500,000 shares of common stock authorized for issuance pursuant to the
Toreador Resources Corporation 2002 Stock Option Plan.

                                     PART II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

         The following documents, which have been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission by Toreador Resources Corporation pursuant to the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, are hereby incorporated by reference in, and
shall be deemed to be a part of, this registration statement:

         (a) The registrant's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2001 (Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 0-02517,
filed on April 15, 2002, with the Securities and Exchange Commission);

         (b) The registrant's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal
quarter ended March 31, 2002 (Securities and Exchange Commission File No.
0-02517, filed on May 20, 2002, with the Securities and Exchange Commission),
the registrant's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June
30, 2002 (Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 0-02517, filed on August
14, 2002, with the Securities and Exchange Commission), and the registrant's
current report on Form 8-K (Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 0-02517,
filed on January 8, 2002, with the Securities and Exchange Commission); and

         (c) The description of the common stock of the registrant contained in
the registration statements filed under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, previously filed by the registrant with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose
of updating such description.


<PAGE>

         All documents filed by the registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, subsequent to the
date of this registration statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which
deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall also be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this registration statement and to be a part hereof
from the date of filing of such documents.

Item 4. Description of Securities.

         Not applicable.

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

         Not applicable.

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

         The registrant's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the
"Certificate of Incorporation"), provides that no director of the registrant
shall be liable to the registrant or any of its stockholders for monetary
damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. However, this does not apply
with respect to any action in which the director would be liable (i) for any
breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the registrant or its stockholders,
(ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional
misconduct or knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or (iv) for any transaction from which
the director derived an improper personal benefit.

         The bylaws of the registrant provide that the registrant shall
indemnify and advance all reasonable attorneys' fees, retainers, court costs,
transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating
costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service
fees, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred
in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend,
investigating or being or preparing to be a witness in any action, suit,
arbitration, alternative dispute resolution mechanism, investigation,
administrative hearing or any other proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative ("Proceeding") to, any person who is, or is
threatened to be made a witness in or a party to any Proceeding by reason of his
or her being a director or former director of the registrant or who, while a
director or officer of the registrant, is an employee or agent of the registrant
or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit
plan or other enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of
the registrant ("Indemnitee"). The rights of Indemnitee shall include, but not
be limited to, the right to be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by
Section 145(b) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware in
Proceedings by or in the right of the registrant and to the fullest extent
permitted by Section 145(a) of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware in all other Proceedings. to the fullest extent permitted by applicable
law in effect on the effective date of the bylaws and to such greater extent as
applicable law may thereafter permit. Pursuant to Section 145 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the power to indemnify applies only if
such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in
the best interest, or not opposed to the best interest, of the registrant and
with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to
believe his conduct was unlawful.

         Pursuant to Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware, the power to indemnify applies to actions brought by or in the right
of the registrant to procure a judgment in its favor if the Indemnitee acted in
good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the Registrant and except that no
indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to
which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the registrant unless
and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such
action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the
adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such
person is fairly and



                                       2
<PAGE>

reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery
or such other court shall deem proper.

         Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
further specifically provides that the indemnification authorized thereby shall
not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such officer or
director may be entitled under any bylaws, agreements, vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors, or otherwise.

         Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers or persons
controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and is therefore unenforceable.

Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.

         Not applicable.




                                       3
<PAGE>

Item 8. Exhibits.

         The following is a list of exhibits filed as part of this registration
statement.

Exhibit No.       Description
-----------       -----------

4.1               Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Toreador
                  Resources Corporation (previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to
                  Toreador Resources Corporation Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
                  for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, File No. 0-02517 and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

4.2               Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Toreador Resources
                  Corporation (previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Toreador
                  Resources Corporation Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
                  quarter ended June 30, 2002, File No. 0-02517 and incorporated
                  herein by reference).

4.3               Toreador Royalty Corporation Amended and Restated 1990 Stock
                  Option Plan, effective as of September 24, 1998 (previously
                  filed as Exhibit A to Toreador Royalty Corporation Preliminary
                  Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange
                  Commission on March 12, 1999, File No. 0-02517 and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

4.4               Amendment Number One to the Toreador Resources Corporation
                  Amended and Restated 1990 Stock Option Plan (previously filed
                  as Exhibit 10.1 to Toreador Resources Corporation Quarterly
                  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, File
                  No. 0-02517 and incorporated herein by reference).

4.5               Toreador Resources Corporation Amended and Restated 1994
                  Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (previously filed as
                  Exhibit 10.2 to Toreador Resources Corporation Quarterly
                  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, File
                  No. 0-02517 and incorporated herein by reference).

4.6               Amendment Number Two to the Toreador Resources Corporation
                  Amended and Restated 1990 Stock Option Plan (previously filed
                  as Exhibit 10.4 to Toreador Resources Corporation Quarterly
                  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, File
                  No. 0-02517 and incorporated herein by reference).

4.7               Toreador Resources Corporation 2002 Stock Option Plan
                  (previously filed as Exhibit 10.16 to Toreador Resources
                  Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                  December 31, 2001, File No. 0-02517 and incorporated herein by
                  reference).

4.8               Amendment Number One to the Toreador Resources Corporation
                  2002 Stock Option Plan (previously filed as Exhibit 10.5 to
                  Toreador Resources Corporation Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
                  for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, File No. 0-02517 and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

5.1*              Opinion of Haynes and Boone, LLP.

23.1*             Consent of Haynes and Boone, LLP (included in the opinion of
                  Haynes and Boone, LLP, filed herewith as Exhibit 5.1).

23.2*             Consent of Ernst & Young LLP., independent public accountants,
                  to incorporation by reference.

23.3*             Consent of LaRoche Petroleum Consultants, Ltd., independent
                  petroleum engineers, to incorporation by reference.

24.1*             Power of attorney (included on signature page to this
                  Registration Statement).

----------

* Filed herewith.



                                       4
<PAGE>

Item 9. Undertakings.

         (a) The registrant hereby undertakes:

                  (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
         being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

                           (i) To include any prospectus required by Section
                  10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

                           (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
                  arising after the effective date of this registration
                  statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
                  thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
                  fundamental change in the information set forth in this
                  registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
                  increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
                  total value of securities offered would not exceed that which
                  was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of
                  the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the
                  form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange
                  Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act of
                  1933, as amended, if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume
                  and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum
                  aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
                  Registration Fee" table in the effective registration
                  statement; and

                           (iii) To include any material information with
                  respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed
                  in this registration statement or any material change to such
                  information in this registration statement;

         Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) of this
         section do not apply if the information required to be included in a
         post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic
         reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange
         Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of
         the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are incorporated by
         reference in this registration statement.

                  (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under
         the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each such post-effective
         amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating
         to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
         at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
         thereof.

                  (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
         amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at
         the termination of the offering.

         (b) The registrant hereby further undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each
filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section
15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that is incorporated by reference
in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.

         (c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the



                                       5
<PAGE>

registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court
of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.





                                       6
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on September 20, 2002.


                                    TOREADOR RESOURCES CORPORATION
                                             (Registrant)


                                    By: /s/ G. THOMAS GRAVES III
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                           G. Thomas Graves III
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer


         KNOW BY ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned
directors and officers of Toreador Resources Corporation, a Delaware
corporation, hereby constitutes and appoints each of G. Thomas Graves III and
Douglas W. Weir or either of them (with full power to each of them to act alone)
his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution
and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments)
to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorney-in-fact and agent, acting alone, or his substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.





                                       7
<PAGE>

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated.

<Table>
<Caption>
        SIGNATURE                             CAPACITY IN WHICH SIGNED                           DATE
        ---------                             ------------------------                           ----
<S>                                      <C>                                              <C>

/s/ G. THOMAS GRAVES III                 President, Chief Executive Officer and Director  September 20,  2002
------------------------------
G. Thomas Graves III


/s/ EDWARD NATHAN DANE                   Director                                         September 20,  2002
------------------------------
Edward Nathan Dane


/s/ PETER L. FALB                        Director                                         September 20,  2002
------------------------------
Peter L. Falb


/s/ THOMAS P. KELLOGG, JR.               Director                                         September 20,  2002
------------------------------
Thomas P. Kellogg, Jr.


/s/ WILLIAM I. LEE                       Director                                         September 20,  2002
------------------------------
William I. Lee


/s/ JOHN MARK MCLAUGHLIN                 Director                                         September 20,  2002
------------------------------
John Mark McLaughlin


/s/ H.R. SANDERS, JR.                    Director                                         September 20,  2002
------------------------------
H.R. Sanders, Jr.


/s/ DAVID M. BREWER                      Director                                         September 20,  2002
------------------------------
David M. Brewer


/s/ HERBERT L. BREWER                    Director                                         September 20,  2002
------------------------------
Herbert L. Brewer


/s/ JOSEPH J. SIMONS                     Director                                         September 20,  2002
------------------------------
Joseph J. Simons


/s/ DOUGLAS W. WEIR                      Senior Vice President - Chief Financial Officer  September 20,  2002
------------------------------           (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Douglas W. Weir
</Table>



                                       8
<PAGE>

                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

<Table>
<Caption>
Exhibit No.       Description
-----------       -----------
<S>               <C>

4.1               Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Toreador
                  Resources Corporation (previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to
                  Toreador Resources Corporation Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
                  for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, File No. 0-02517 and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

4.2               Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Toreador Resources
                  Corporation (previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Toreador
                  Resources Corporation Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
                  quarter ended June 30, 2002, File No. 0-02517 and incorporated
                  herein by reference).

4.3               Toreador Royalty Corporation Amended and Restated 1990 Stock
                  Option Plan, effective as of September 24, 1998 (previously
                  filed as Exhibit A to Toreador Royalty Corporation Preliminary
                  Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange
                  Commission on March 12, 1999, File No. 0-02517 and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

4.4               Amendment Number One to the Toreador Resources Corporation
                  Amended and Restated 1990 Stock Option Plan (previously filed
                  as Exhibit 10.1 to Toreador Resources Corporation Quarterly
                  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, File
                  No. 0-02517 and incorporated herein by reference).

4.5               Toreador Resources Corporation Amended and Restated 1994
                  Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (previously filed as
                  Exhibit 10.2 to Toreador Resources Corporation Quarterly
                  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, File
                  No. 0-02517 and incorporated herein by reference).

4.6               Amendment Number Two to the Toreador Resources Corporation
                  Amended and Restated 1990 Stock Option Plan (previously filed
                  as Exhibit 10.4 to Toreador Resources Corporation Quarterly
                  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, File
                  No. 0-02517 and incorporated herein by reference).

4.7               Toreador Resources Corporation 2002 Stock Option Plan
                  (previously filed as Exhibit 10.16 to Toreador Resources
                  Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                  December 31, 2001, File No. 0-02517 and incorporated herein by
                  reference).

4.8               Amendment Number One to the Toreador Resources Corporation
                  2002 Stock Option Plan (previously filed as Exhibit 10.5 to
                  Toreador Resources Corporation Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
                  for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, File No. 0-02517 and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

5.1*              Opinion of Haynes and Boone, LLP.

23.1*             Consent of Haynes and Boone, LLP (included in the opinion of
                  Haynes and Boone, LLP, filed herewith as Exhibit 5.1).

23.2*             Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent public accountants,
                  to incorporation by reference.

23.3*             Consent of LaRoche Petroleum Consultants, Ltd., independent
                  petroleum engineers, to incorporation by reference.

24.1*             Power of attorney (included on signature page to this
                  Registration Statement).
</Table>

----------

* Filed herewith.




                                       9
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "TOREADOR RESOURCES CORP", "cik": "0000098720", "assigned-sic": "1311", "irs-number": "750991164", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-99959", "film-number": "02769151"}, "business-address": {"street1": "4809 COLE AVENUE SUITE 108", "city": "DALLAS", "state": "TX", "zip": "75205", "phone": "2145593933"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "4809 COLE AVENUE SUITE 108", "city": "DALLAS", "state": "TX", "zip": "75205"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "TOREADOR ROYALTY CORP", "date-changed": "19920703"}}
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 20, 2002

                                                  Registration No. 333-_________

================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   ----------

                                    FORM S-8

             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                         TOREADOR RESOURCES CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                  DELAWARE                                   75-0991164
        (State or other jurisdiction                      (I.R.S. Employer
      of incorporation or organization)                  Identification No.)

         4809 COLE AVENUE, SUITE 108
                DALLAS, TEXAS                                   75205
  (Address of Principal Executive Offices)                   (Zip Code)

                   AMENDED AND RESTATED 1990 STOCK OPTION PLAN
        AMENDED AND RESTATED 1994 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN
                             2002 STOCK OPTION PLAN
                            (Full title of the plan)

                              G. THOMAS GRAVES III
                      PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                         TOREADOR RESOURCES CORPORATION
                           4809 COLE AVENUE, SUITE 108
                               DALLAS, TEXAS 75205
                     (Name and address of agent for service)

                                 (214) 559-3933
          (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

                                    Copy to:
                                JANICE V. SHARRY
                              HAYNES AND BOONE, LLP
                           901 MAIN STREET, SUITE 3100
                               DALLAS, TEXAS 75202
                                 (214) 651-5562

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
=====================================================================================================================
     Title of Securities       Amount To Be    Proposed Maximum Offering      Proposed Maximum           Amount of
      To Be Registered          Registered          Price per Share       Aggregate Offering Price   Registration Fee
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON STOCK,
$.15625 PAR VALUE..........   1,136,960(1),(2)        $3.00(3)                 $3,410,880(3)             $313.80
=====================================================================================================================
(1)  This registration statement also covers such additional and indeterminate
     number of shares as may become issuable pursuant to the antidilution
     provisions of the employee benefit plans described herein and as
     promulgated by Rule 416 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(2)  Includes 336,960 shares of common stock authorized for issuance pursuant to
     the Toreador Resources Corporation Amended and Restated 1990 Stock Option
     Plan, as amended to date, 300,000 shares of common stock authorized for
     issuance pursuant to the Toreador Resources Corporation Amended and
     Restated 1994 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan and 500,000 shares of
     common stock authorized for issuance pursuant to the Toreador Resources
     Corporation 2002 Stock Option Plan.

(3)  Estimated solely for the purposes of calculating the registration fee
     pursuant to Rule 457(c) and 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
     amended, on the basis of the average of the high and low sales prices of
     the common stock on the Nasdaq National Market on September 19, 2002.
STATEMENT UNDER GENERAL INSTRUCTION E TO FORM S-8

         Toreador Resources Corporation ("Toreador") previously filed (i) a
registration statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-14145) with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on October 15, 1996 to register 225,000
shares of common stock authorized for issuance pursuant to the Toreador Royalty
Corporation (n/k/a Toreador Resources Corporation) 1990 Stock Option Plan, to
register 200,000 shares of common stock authorized for issuance pursuant to the
Toreador Royalty Corporation (n/k/a Toreador Resources Corporation) 1994
Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, and 340,000 shares issuable upon the
exercise of certain non-qualified options granted to certain employees,
directors and consultants of Toreador, (ii) a registration statement on Form S-8
(Registration No. 333-88475) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
October 5, 1999 to register 295,000 shares of common stock authorized for
issuance pursuant to the Toreador Royalty Corporation (n/k/a Toreador Resources
Corporation) Amended and Restated 1990 Stock Option Plan and (iii) a
registration statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-53632) with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on January 12, 2001 to register 143,040
shares of common stock authorized for issuance pursuant to the Toreador
Resources Corporation Amended and Restated 1990 Stock Option Plan.

         Toreador is filing this registration statement on Form S-8 with the
Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to General Instruction E to Form S-8
to register (i) an additional 336,960 shares of common stock authorized for
issuance pursuant to the Toreador Resources Corporation Amended and Restated
1990 Stock Option Plan, as amended to date, (ii) an additional 300,000 shares of
common stock authorized for issuance pursuant to the Toreador Resources
Corporation Amended and Restated 1994 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan
and (iii) 500,000 shares of common stock authorized for issuance pursuant to the
Toreador Resources Corporation 2002 Stock Option Plan.

                                     PART II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

         The following documents, which have been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission by Toreador Resources Corporation pursuant to the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, are hereby incorporated by reference in, and
shall be deemed to be a part of, this registration statement:

         (a) The registrant's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2001 (Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 0-02517,
filed on April 15, 2002, with the Securities and Exchange Commission);

         (b) The registrant's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal
quarter ended March 31, 2002 (Securities and Exchange Commission File No.
0-02517, filed on May 20, 2002, with the Securities and Exchange Commission),
the registrant's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June
30, 2002 (Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 0-02517, filed on August
14, 2002, with the Securities and Exchange Commission), and the registrant's
current report on Form 8-K (Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 0-02517,
filed on January 8, 2002, with the Securities and Exchange Commission); and

         (c) The description of the common stock of the registrant contained in
the registration statements filed under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, previously filed by the registrant with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose
of updating such description.
All documents filed by the registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, subsequent to the
date of this registration statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which
deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall also be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this registration statement and to be a part hereof
from the date of filing of such documents.

Item 4. Description of Securities.

         Not applicable.

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

         Not applicable.

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

         The registrant's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the
"Certificate of Incorporation"), provides that no director of the registrant
shall be liable to the registrant or any of its stockholders for monetary
damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. However, this does not apply
with respect to any action in which the director would be liable (i) for any
breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the registrant or its stockholders,
(ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional
misconduct or knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or (iv) for any transaction from which
the director derived an improper personal benefit.

         The bylaws of the registrant provide that the registrant shall
indemnify and advance all reasonable attorneys' fees, retainers, court costs,
transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating
costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service
fees, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred
in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend,
investigating or being or preparing to be a witness in any action, suit,
arbitration, alternative dispute resolution mechanism, investigation,
administrative hearing or any other proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative ("Proceeding") to, any person who is, or is
threatened to be made a witness in or a party to any Proceeding by reason of his
or her being a director or former director of the registrant or who, while a
director or officer of the registrant, is an employee or agent of the registrant
or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit
plan or other enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of
the registrant ("Indemnitee"). The rights of Indemnitee shall include, but not
be limited to, the right to be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by
Section 145(b) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware in
Proceedings by or in the right of the registrant and to the fullest extent
permitted by Section 145(a) of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware in all other Proceedings. to the fullest extent permitted by applicable
law in effect on the effective date of the bylaws and to such greater extent as
applicable law may thereafter permit. Pursuant to Section 145 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the power to indemnify applies only if
such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in
the best interest, or not opposed to the best interest, of the registrant and
with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to
believe his conduct was unlawful.

         Pursuant to Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware, the power to indemnify applies to actions brought by or in the right
of the registrant to procure a judgment in its favor if the Indemnitee acted in
good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the Registrant and except that no
indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to
which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the registrant unless
and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such
action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the
adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such
person is fairly and

                                       2
reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery
or such other court shall deem proper.

         Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
further specifically provides that the indemnification authorized thereby shall
not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such officer or
director may be entitled under any bylaws, agreements, vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors, or otherwise.

         Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers or persons
controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and is therefore unenforceable.

Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.

         Not applicable.

                                       3
Item 8. Exhibits.

         The following is a list of exhibits filed as part of this registration
statement.

Exhibit No.       Description
-----------       -----------

4.1               Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Toreador
                  Resources Corporation (previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to
                  Toreador Resources Corporation Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
                  for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, File No. 0-02517 and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

4.2               Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Toreador Resources
                  Corporation (previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Toreador
                  Resources Corporation Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
                  quarter ended June 30, 2002, File No. 0-02517 and incorporated
                  herein by reference).

4.3               Toreador Royalty Corporation Amended and Restated 1990 Stock
                  Option Plan, effective as of September 24, 1998 (previously
                  filed as Exhibit A to Toreador Royalty Corporation Preliminary
                  Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange
                  Commission on March 12, 1999, File No. 0-02517 and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

4.4               Amendment Number One to the Toreador Resources Corporation
                  Amended and Restated 1990 Stock Option Plan (previously filed
                  as Exhibit 10.1 to Toreador Resources Corporation Quarterly
                  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, File
                  No. 0-02517 and incorporated herein by reference).

4.5               Toreador Resources Corporation Amended and Restated 1994
                  Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (previously filed as
                  Exhibit 10.2 to Toreador Resources Corporation Quarterly
                  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, File
                  No. 0-02517 and incorporated herein by reference).

4.6               Amendment Number Two to the Toreador Resources Corporation
                  Amended and Restated 1990 Stock Option Plan (previously filed
                  as Exhibit 10.4 to Toreador Resources Corporation Quarterly
                  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, File
                  No. 0-02517 and incorporated herein by reference).

4.7               Toreador Resources Corporation 2002 Stock Option Plan
                  (previously filed as Exhibit 10.16 to Toreador Resources
                  Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                  December 31, 2001, File No. 0-02517 and incorporated herein by
                  reference).

4.8               Amendment Number One to the Toreador Resources Corporation
                  2002 Stock Option Plan (previously filed as Exhibit 10.5 to
                  Toreador Resources Corporation Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
                  for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, File No. 0-02517 and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

5.1*              Opinion of Haynes and Boone, LLP.

23.1*             Consent of Haynes and Boone, LLP (included in the opinion of
                  Haynes and Boone, LLP, filed herewith as Exhibit 5.1).

23.2*             Consent of Ernst & Young LLP., independent public accountants,
                  to incorporation by reference.

23.3*             Consent of LaRoche Petroleum Consultants, Ltd., independent
                  petroleum engineers, to incorporation by reference.

24.1*             Power of attorney (included on signature page to this
                  Registration Statement).

----------

* Filed herewith.

                                       4
Item 9. Undertakings.

         (a) The registrant hereby undertakes:

                  (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
         being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

                           (i) To include any prospectus required by Section
                  10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

                           (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
                  arising after the effective date of this registration
                  statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
                  thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
                  fundamental change in the information set forth in this
                  registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
                  increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
                  total value of securities offered would not exceed that which
                  was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of
                  the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the
                  form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange
                  Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act of
                  1933, as amended, if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume
                  and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum
                  aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
                  Registration Fee" table in the effective registration
                  statement; and

                           (iii) To include any material information with
                  respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed
                  in this registration statement or any material change to such
                  information in this registration statement;

         Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) of this
         section do not apply if the information required to be included in a
         post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic
         reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange
         Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of
         the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are incorporated by
         reference in this registration statement.

                  (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under
         the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each such post-effective
         amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating
         to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
         at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
         thereof.

                  (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
         amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at
         the termination of the offering.

         (b) The registrant hereby further undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each
filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section
15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that is incorporated by reference
in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.

         (c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the

                                       5
registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court
of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

                                       6
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on September 20, 2002.

                                    TOREADOR RESOURCES CORPORATION
                                             (Registrant)

                                    By: /s/ G. THOMAS GRAVES III
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                           G. Thomas Graves III
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer

         KNOW BY ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned
directors and officers of Toreador Resources Corporation, a Delaware
corporation, hereby constitutes and appoints each of G. Thomas Graves III and
Douglas W. Weir or either of them (with full power to each of them to act alone)
his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution
and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments)
to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorney-in-fact and agent, acting alone, or his substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                                       7
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated.
SIGNATURE                             CAPACITY IN WHICH SIGNED                           DATE
        ---------                             ------------------------                           ----
/s/ G. THOMAS GRAVES III                 President, Chief Executive Officer and Director  September 20,  2002
------------------------------
G. Thomas Graves III

/s/ EDWARD NATHAN DANE                   Director                                         September 20,  2002
------------------------------
Edward Nathan Dane

/s/ PETER L. FALB                        Director                                         September 20,  2002
------------------------------
Peter L. Falb

/s/ THOMAS P. KELLOGG, JR.               Director                                         September 20,  2002
------------------------------
Thomas P. Kellogg, Jr.

/s/ WILLIAM I. LEE                       Director                                         September 20,  2002
------------------------------
William I. Lee

/s/ JOHN MARK MCLAUGHLIN                 Director                                         September 20,  2002
------------------------------
John Mark McLaughlin

/s/ H.R. SANDERS, JR.                    Director                                         September 20,  2002
------------------------------
H.R. Sanders, Jr.

/s/ DAVID M. BREWER                      Director                                         September 20,  2002
------------------------------
David M. Brewer

/s/ HERBERT L. BREWER                    Director                                         September 20,  2002
------------------------------
Herbert L. Brewer

/s/ JOSEPH J. SIMONS                     Director                                         September 20,  2002
------------------------------
Joseph J. Simons

/s/ DOUGLAS W. WEIR                      Senior Vice President - Chief Financial Officer  September 20,  2002
------------------------------           (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Douglas W. Weir
8
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit No.       Description
-----------       -----------
4.1               Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Toreador
                  Resources Corporation (previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to
                  Toreador Resources Corporation Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
                  for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, File No. 0-02517 and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

4.2               Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Toreador Resources
                  Corporation (previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Toreador
                  Resources Corporation Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
                  quarter ended June 30, 2002, File No. 0-02517 and incorporated
                  herein by reference).

4.3               Toreador Royalty Corporation Amended and Restated 1990 Stock
                  Option Plan, effective as of September 24, 1998 (previously
                  filed as Exhibit A to Toreador Royalty Corporation Preliminary
                  Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange
                  Commission on March 12, 1999, File No. 0-02517 and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

4.4               Amendment Number One to the Toreador Resources Corporation
                  Amended and Restated 1990 Stock Option Plan (previously filed
                  as Exhibit 10.1 to Toreador Resources Corporation Quarterly
                  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, File
                  No. 0-02517 and incorporated herein by reference).

4.5               Toreador Resources Corporation Amended and Restated 1994
                  Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (previously filed as
                  Exhibit 10.2 to Toreador Resources Corporation Quarterly
                  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, File
                  No. 0-02517 and incorporated herein by reference).

4.6               Amendment Number Two to the Toreador Resources Corporation
                  Amended and Restated 1990 Stock Option Plan (previously filed
                  as Exhibit 10.4 to Toreador Resources Corporation Quarterly
                  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, File
                  No. 0-02517 and incorporated herein by reference).

4.7               Toreador Resources Corporation 2002 Stock Option Plan
                  (previously filed as Exhibit 10.16 to Toreador Resources
                  Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                  December 31, 2001, File No. 0-02517 and incorporated herein by
                  reference).

4.8               Amendment Number One to the Toreador Resources Corporation
                  2002 Stock Option Plan (previously filed as Exhibit 10.5 to
                  Toreador Resources Corporation Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
                  for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, File No. 0-02517 and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

5.1*              Opinion of Haynes and Boone, LLP.

23.1*             Consent of Haynes and Boone, LLP (included in the opinion of
                  Haynes and Boone, LLP, filed herewith as Exhibit 5.1).

23.2*             Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent public accountants,
                  to incorporation by reference.

23.3*             Consent of LaRoche Petroleum Consultants, Ltd., independent
                  petroleum engineers, to incorporation by reference.

24.1*             Power of attorney (included on signature page to this
                  Registration Statement).
----------

* Filed herewith.

                                       9