This is a strikingly attractive car from an era long gone – with a smooth V8, plenty of style and in beautiful condition, it’s a real head turner.
Oldsmobile’s Rocket Eight V8 engine gave tremendous performance and durability – and in fact in 1951 Oldsmobile won the NASCAR championship. The extravagant hood ornament reflects the Rocket theme Oldsmobile boasted.
This was the top-of-the-line 4-door model, with the 98 on a longer wheelbase than lesser versions and the Holiday Deluxe, the best equipped.
The original sales document remains with the car, showing that this fine example was sold new in Chicago with delivery on May 9 1951.
It was ordered with a suite of options, which added $398.85 to the purchase price, making a total cost of $2969.78 – when a base Chevrolet sedan cost $1600. The Oldsmobile was finished in a very attractive metallic Palm Green colour, which shows-off the brightwork really well.
The Oldsmobile remained in Chicago for many years before being shipped to Alberta Canada, then to Australia, arriving in Queensland in 2021. The present owner has had the car in Western Australia for a little over a year.
Records with the car show a thorough strip-down and repaint – and notably excellent condition of the bodywork when stripped, with no rust evident anywhere. The original motor and transmission were rebuilt – it’s a matching numbers car.
The interior has been refurbished including new carpets. The inside is as stylish as the exterior, with a fabulous dashboard design, featuring a multitude of chrome fittings and hardware.
It has button start and the car starts instantly, with the OHV V8 engine purring smoothly. Automatic transmission makes the Oldsmobile an easy cruiser, with the transmission well-suited to the plentiful low down torque the engine produces. The odometer’s 70,400 miles appears to be correct.
The car sailed through WA licensing inspection with no issues. The number plates JADE 51 can go with the car if sold to a WA buyer.
The Oldsmobile advertising catch phrase for 1951 was “Rocket Ahead in Glamorous Style!”, which captures the essence of the car so well.
This is a car which gets a lot of positive attention – plenty of waves from admirers wherever it goes. It’s a stylish, comfortable and very rare car, ready for the next custodian to start enjoying it.
Stock# MD28143-ULP312
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