Anyone who has more than a passing interest in custom cars is likely to be familiar with John D'Agostino's name. He's been a major player in the scene ever since debuting his mildly customized, Art Himsl-painted '70 Pontiac Grand Prix at the Grand National Roadster Show in 1970. Since then he has designed and produced more than 40 customs, averaging one new debut every year. All of his cars are traditional in style; most are also pretty radically redesigned.

Imagine our surprise, then, when D'Agostino unveiled two mild custom, '60s-era Oldsmobiles for the 2005 show season--a 1966 Dynamic 88, and this 1964 Dynamic 88, which he built in partnership with Val Tompkins of A&A Auto. D'Agostino tells us the reasoning behind choosing '60s Oldsmobiles was actually pretty simple. He wanted to craft tributes to RE Olds, founder of Oldsmobile, which was America's oldest car company until its demise in 2004. He also thought it would be cool to demonstrate how minor alterations paired with brilliant paint could transform otherwise conservative cars into classy custom cruisers.

The '64 was handed over to bodyman and painter John Cardinalle in Antioch, California, shortly after being purchased from the original owner. In the interest of accentuating the car's crisp styling and giving it a longer look, the front fenders were peaked and the rear quarter-panel peaks were extended to create small fins. The rocker panels were also extended, and all seams welded and filled. After frenching the stock taillight lenses and shaving off virtually all of the trim and emblems, John sprayed a bright finish of PPG Lemon Chiffon Pearl paint with Peach Pearl highlights.

Dressing up the stock grille with Lucas lights and a couple dozen bullets helped finish off exterior appearances, as did bolting on chrome 14x6-inch Wheel Vintiques rims with vintage cone center caps and Coker 1 1/4-inch whitewalls. The lowered stance--achieved by Frank Russo with modified coil springs and a C'd frame--contributed even more to the car's visual length. Like most D'Agostino customs, the original 394ci V-8 engine and automatic transmission were left stock, although they were rebuilt by Frank Russo and Brentwood Transmission, respectively. Antioch Muffler bent and welded the dual exhaust pipes.

Just as he's done many times in the past, D'Agostino called on Bob Divine to stitch pearl white upholstery in a manner evoking the look of the early '60s. Divine responded with rolls, pleats, and biscuit inserts on modified late-model bucket front seats, a stock rear bench, and a custom console. Naturally, the trunk was upholstered to match. Yellow carpet was laid down to coordinate with the lemon and peach paint on the dash, while a Pioneer stereo was stashed in the glovebox to provide cruise-worthy tunes.

Dubbed The Venetian, the lemon-hued Olds is far from the most radical custom to come from D'Agostino's stables, but that doesn't make it any less cool. In fact, a lot more enthusiasts can probably relate to this mild approach than to more elaborate creations. Our theory will be tested by the time you read this, as the car was scheduled to go up for sale at the Bonhams & Butterfield Barris Celebrity Auction at the Petersen Automotive Museum a few days after these photos were taken. D'Agostino, meanwhile, is already hard at work on a new custom, which just happens to be another Olds. We can't wait to see it.