Six years ago, after my mother Vilma passed away, I was pondering what to do with her neglected 1958 Oldsmobile 88. Over the past few years, I was seriously looking into finally just getting it renovated. Though it isn’t in the best condition, it still has some serious sentimental value to our family. Even today, just opening up the creaky doors and inhaling its special brand of old car smell evokes the cherished remnants of childhood memories.
And what a ride they had! An all new for 1958 Oldsmobile 88, with a pearlescent rose-colored hue, just dripping in shiny new chrome from end to end. My father Richard was decked out in his crisp Air Force uniform next to his radiant bride. Vilma chose a simple, yet elegant fitted white suit for her wedding ensemble, with a simple white floral & pearl adorned hat. They were never extravagant in their ways, and the wedding reflected their style.
But one day when I was older, my father attempted to teach me to drive in the Olds. On the way home from the store, he pulled the Olds over and asked “Wanna drive the rest of the way home?” It was there when I had my first taste of freedom, my flaxen hair blowing in the warm wind at the helm of a boat. Holding firmly onto the over-sized ivory-colored steering wheel I thought…Hey this car is really kinda cool after all!! When we stopped, I looked over expecting to get the gen-u-wine stamp of driving approval, but my father’s face was white with fear! Turns out I had swerved all the way home!
Through the course of curious events, starting with this blog and the sharing of my mother’s rich and fantastic young life through her 1950’s secret diaries… there have been some good opportunities and more amazing people that I’ve gotten to know, who I am forever grateful for having in my life. So, an already restored upgraded model called the “Super 88” came up for sale. The opportunity presented itself, and I pondered it. I walked away from it…. a couple of times in fact while considering buying it. But for some mysterious reason, it wanted to come home with me.
So thanks to the workings of our friend Charles Phoenix, good advice from Matt the owner of Anaheim Rod & Custom, and some contemplative discussions from my pals Richard & Kim from Esotouric's Secret Los Angeles, I decided to bite the bullet.
Now we’re gonna have some fun with it! And that includes going on future joyrides, and making lots o' new memories. Hopefully you are cool with coming along for a ride with my sister Victoria and I from time to time as we revive all those 1950’s Vintage Camera Girl Dreams of days gone by…