A Super 88 gets a Serious Custom Makeover – Joe Siclari’s 1961 Oldsmobile Super 88
Buying someone else’s almost-finished project can a gamble. In the best-case scenario, you can add some finishing touches, make a few personal changes, and hit the road. Sometimes, however, you end up redoing much more than you anticipated, either by choice or necessity. That’s a lesson Joe Siclari learned the hard way with this 1961 Oldsmobile Super 88.
“I bought this car sight unseen,” Joe says. “What a mistake that was!”
The previous owner of the 88 had passed away and Joe thought he was buying a nearly road-ready car, but quickly discovered it wasn’t all he expected when it wouldn’t even start to load on the trailer. “The paint wasn’t good. It did’t run. The transmission sucked from the factory,” Joe says. “Against my better judgment, I started over.”
The starting over process began when he yanked out the original 1961 Oldsmobile engine in February 2020, just before Covid hit. He decided to install a new crate small-block Chevy he had in the garage, in part to get the benefit of the 700R4 overdrive transmission. “I drive my cars a lot,” Joe says. “I really wanted overdrive.” Dual quads, vintage air cleaners, and plenty of chrome helped give the engine a proper early-’60s vibe.
Joe tackled the suspension upgrades himself. They included Slam Specialties air springs on custom control arms in the front and on custom mounts in the rear, with an AirLift management system. Scarebird front disc brakes were also added, along with Wheelsmith 15×6-inch chrome reverse wheels in Diamond Back Auburn bias-look 6.70 wide whitewalls.
Many body mods were already done when Joe got the car; others he added. There are more than you might realize, including shaved emblems, side trim, and handles, and a redesigned front end with ’65 Corvair headlight bezels, a custom grille, and one-off grille inserts in the bumper.
Around back, the reverse lights in the rear valence were removed, exhaust outlets and a frenched license mount added, and custom taillight lenses crafted by Vic Collins. Blue Sky Performance was called on for the custom paint, which consists of a House of Kolor Coconut Cream White base with Candy Pagan Gold panels done in a true early-’60s custom style.
The interior is pure ’60s, too, with ’64 Thunderbird bucket seats, lots of white vinyl tuck ’n roll upholstery, and a custom body-colored console with hidden Vintage Air and stereo controls. Original instruments are augmented with Mooneyes gauges, and there are many period details like tuck ’n roll floor mats and Fender amp fabric covering the speakers.
It may have taken more effort to reach the finish line than Joe expected, but the result speaks for itself – a standout 1961 Oldsmobile custom that’s super in so many ways.
Photos by Damon Lee and Todd Ryden
