1957 Oldsmobile Super 88 - Super 88

Remember the first car that ever really made an impression on you? You know the one I'm talking about-the one you lusted after as a kid and promised yourself you'd own one day. It's a dream that not enough of us get to realize. Let's face it, every one of us car guys has fond memories of a car that really made an impression on us during our youth-be it a hot rod owned by one of the older guys in the neighborhood or even a cool car Pop used to drive back and forth to work way back when. Well, La Verne, California's Tregg Wright is one guy who has realized that dream and has recreated his version of the powerful '57 Olds like the one in which he learned to drive.

As the street rodding hobby started expanding, and post-'48 rides and musclecars became more acceptable to the ranks, Tregg began to think about that once elusive Super 88 and how he would go about building it in today's environment. It didn't take a long thought process, and soon he was earnestly on the hunt. With a tip from pal John Genovese, he found a perfect candidate-a solid and complete driver that wasn't too pristine to modify. After driving the Olds as purchased for a while, Tregg decided it was time to transform the 88 into a more modern version of his boyhood favorite.

The original V-8 was yanked and replaced with a 454-cube big-block backed by a 700-R4, a custom driveshaft, and the stock (but nearly indestructible) Olds rearend. The frame was refurbished and treated to a bit of handiwork by Earl Williams (custom engine and trans mounts). The suspension was rebuilt and 2 inches were removed from the front coils, while blocks were used out back to lower the Olds just the right amount. A Mike Pemberton-designed front disc-brake conversion was added, as were a quartet of gas shocks and a Durex power-steering gear and pump assembly. The finishing touch, drivetrain and chassis wise, was a set of American Racing Salt Flats-15x6 up front and 15x8 out back-wrapped in a combination of Dayton and Cooper blackwalls.

The 88's body was in really good shape to begin with, so not a lot of restoration was needed. Tregg took care of the minor dents and dings and then coated it with a layer of PPG DP-90 black primer. The bumpers were re-chromed, as were most all of the plated components; Pedro Arreola worked up a sweat polishing all the car's stainless trim. Tregg had Mike over at the Glass House in San Dimas, California, replace the front and rear glass, and then had Durex rebuild all the car's original power-window mechanisms.

Tregg had every intention of driving the wheels off the Olds, so he paid close attention to the car's interior amenities as well. A fresh new Glide Engineering unit replaced the well-worn front bench, and the interior was completely reupholstered by Dave Gutierrez at Joe's Auto Upholstery. A pair of Classic Instruments gauges was added (oil pressure and coolant temp), as were Vintage Air air conditioning and a freshly restored (and resized) stock Olds steering wheel.

The result was exactly what Tregg was hoping for: his dream car from the past, done right and exactly how he'd pictured it in his mind's eye-right down to its big-block power and black primer finish.