Robert Johnson's 1951 Oldsmobile

This photo of Robert's Oldsmobile was published in Motor Life May 1957.

Another photo of Robert's Olds from Motor Life May 1957.

1951 Oldsmobile 98 restyled by Joe Bailon of Bailon's Custom Shop for Satan's Angels member Robert Johnson of San Leandro, California. The Oldsmobile was Robert's fifth custom car, and shortly after buying it he made a short drive down to Bailon in order to give it a makeover. The Olds was nosed and decked, the hood was peaked and the door handles were removed. The stock headlights were combined with 1955 Chevrolet rims to achieve a shaded look. A frenched grille shell was hand-formed from exhaust tubing. The vertical grille teeth inside the modified opening were made from front and rear bumper guards from a 1953 Mercury that were cut in half and butted to the end. The bullets on the front bumper came from a 1953 Mercury. The rear fenders were extended and housed a pair of frenched 1953 Pontiac station wagon taillights. Bailon installed an additional pair of stock side trim spears, which were inverted. The inverted side trim recontoured the front wheel openings. Once the bodywork was done, the car was painted metallic blue and silver polychromatic lacquer. Dual spotlights and Oldsmobile Fiesta hubcaps wrapped up the style.

Magazine Features

Car Craft September 1957
Custom Cars September 1957
Custom Cars February 1958