John D’Agostino’s
1964 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88, ‘The Venician’
Every year hundreds of new customs and semi-customs roll out of garages and shops all over California. Many of them head straight for the show circuit. When it was completed in 2005, the Olds Dynamic 88, The Venician, was no exception. But, this lemon and French Pearl beauty was very different in one way: in just five outings, it topped the Semi-Custom class every time. Those successes came at the San Francisco Rod & Custom, Sacramento Autorama, Portland Rod & Custom Show, Seattle Roadster Show and the Fresno Invitational Autorama.
All those wins may sound amazing and unusual, but they’re business as usual for John D’Agostino who’s been on top of the world of customs since he hit it at full force back in 1970. In the intervening years, D’Agostino has used his imagination, creativity and the best builders, painters and trimmers in California to steal all the top awards. Sometimes his creations are wild, sometimes they’re spectacular and, in the case of The Venician, they can be understated and elegant.
When those Oldsmobile UAW workers finished this car back in 1964 it was an ordinary two-door coupe with a 394cid V-8 breathing through a single two-barrel carburetor to produce 280 horsepower. The smooth auto transmission directed power aft to the solid rear axle. Despite having almost 300 horsepower, this car was very much a run of the mill Oldsmobile, at least until the D’Agostino makeover began.
The custom bodywork includes two-inch peaked fenders running front to rear and ending in a tidy little fin at each side. In addition, the rocker panels were extended by two inches to balance the extra belt-line height. The body is completely seamless and it has been molded and decked. The custom bullet grill is fitted with Lucas-style dual headlights.
To accentuate the body mods, this ’64 has been lowered by four inches front and rear and rolls on chrome wheels cushioned by Cokerwhitewall tires.
When it’s time to drive away, forget about keys for those locks; the Venician is fitted with a keyless remote entry system. The interior is custom trimmed in pearl white and champagne and fitted with a custom Pioneer stereo system.
The Venician—created by D’Agostino and partner Val Tompkins– is a stunning and beautifully-crafted show stopper that has garnered attention and trophies ever since it was first unveiled at the San Francisco Rod & Custom Show in January 2005.
It’s been rumored to have been owned Jennifer Lopez, and most recently by well known car builder Motor Burns – She can now be yours, well maintained and ready to go — complete with folders of receipts and records!
Mileage: 22933
❇️ Location -Marblehead, Massachusetts
❇️ Asking Price $54,000
❇️ Contact Wayne at 781-799-5454
