By the time GM designers put the finishing touches on their 1960 line-up, the jet-age influence on all their current vehicles was very clear and was in fact coming to an end, as actual space travel became more of a reality. The once long and tall tailfins would soon become a memory, but before the end of the era, the beautiful supersonic lines of cars like the 1960 Oldsmobile would be the punctuation of that grand decade. Mark Wilson is one of the many fans of these four-wheeled rocket ships. The affection for these models began back in the 1950s when a young Mark would hang around at his father's brake and alignment shop where plenty of guys would come in to get their cars properly placed closer to the ground. Always drawn to customs, Mark's fondness for personalized vehicles is based on the fact that self-styled cars express an owner's personality more than "store bought" transportation.
Many years later, Mark was cruising in cyber space and found a car on an auction site that really interested him. He placed his bid, but despite being the high bidder, Mark did not meet the seller's reserve, resulting in "no sale." A short time later he saw the car again at a swap meet, but again the price was just too high. One more time on the auction site failed to shake up someone willing to spend big bucks, and Mark ended up buying the car for half of what the owner was hoping to get. Picking up the car became an adventure of its own when Mark also purchased a Cadillac from the seller, and then nearly lost both cars on the way home when the well-loaded trailer decided to unexpectedly visit a few extra lanes on the freeway.
With the car safely at home, Mark worked up a game plan to personalize his Olds, and "the car actually began to build itself," he says. The original driveline and suspension had already been recently rebuilt so all attention was focused on the appearance. Happy with the original factory styling, he only shaved a couple emblems before Tim's Rod & Classic in Bakersfield, California, prepped the rust-free metal and "Slim" Tim Robison sprayed the Candy Apple Cinnamon fade paint job. Once the paint was dry, Ron Beam broke out his brush and laid on some magnificent lines. Inside was given the same consideration and it was decided some fresh threads by Aquiles Tovar was all that was necessary to make the passenger compartment transformation complete.
While Mark's custom is certainly not the most radical custom to roll down the boulevard, it can certainly hold its own in a crowd, proving it's not always the most modified car that is the most attractive.
Mark WilsonBakersfield, California1960 OldsmobileDynamic 88
ChassisWhen Mark purchased his Oldsmobile the original suspension had already been rebuilt and just the right amount had been taken out of the springs to dial in the perfect custom stance. Why mess with success when you have a comfortable ride? That's exactly what Mark thought and focused on a few other areas on his ride.
DrivelineAgain, the factory components, including the original Nailhead engine and Hydromatic transmission, were fresh so Mark chose not to disturb them, which doesn't mean he hasn't used them to their full potential since making over the long and low Olds.
Wheels & TiresBig billet rollers were never a big favorite for Mark so a set of traditional 15x7 chrome reverse rims equipped with a set of Shannon cone caps wrapped in narrow whitewall General 235/75R15 radials were brought in to do the trick.
Body & PaintThe one element that most makes the custom transformation of Mark's Olds is the gorgeous Candy Apple fade paint job laid on by "Slim" Tim Robison at his shop, Tim's Rod & Classic, in Bakersfield, California. The custom look is so successful it's hard to believe that other than the removal of a couple quarter-panel emblems, Mark's Dynamic 88 still retains all the factory trim and no body mods. Ron Beam finished off the exterior with just the right amount of pinstriping.
InteriorLike the exterior, Mark felt the factory styling and appointments inside the car needed no changes; some fresh paint and new threads were all that would be needed. Stitching up the two-tone vinyl in a traditional pattern was easy work for Aquiles Tovar because of the clean and complete condition of the car.