classic-car | Paul Blank

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.

Please request full details and more photos by email from paul@classicrally.com.au

Whilst every effort to ensure accuracy is made when preparing the description of a car, much of the information is provided by the owner and cannot be guaranteed to be accurate and complete. Some errors and omissions occur occasionally and we cannot be held liable for any loss or damage arising from incorrect or incomplete information or any reliance which might be placed on information provided. Any potential purchaser is advised to make his or her own independent investigations or inspections to determine title and whether a vehicle is suitable for purchase.

Perth delivered
Money-no-object restoration
2025 Concours class winner
You won’t find better

This year the Silver Shadow series celebrates its 60^th anniversary and interest in these early chrome bumper versions is growing. This example is the best you’ll find.

In 1974 when this car was delivered new in Perth by Winterbottom Motors, it cost a hefty $42,500, when a new Jaguar XJ6 was $11,000.

Fast forward to the early 2000s after the original owner had passed away in 1996 and the car then belonged to a high flying Western Australian lawyer. It was in excellent condition still. The owner decided he wanted the best possible example of Silver Shadow. He sent the car to Bentley Sydney for a major restoration to be undertaken. This was a money-no-object exercise. The work took a year and a half and was completed in December 2003. A list of the extensive work done is with the car.

Some $80,000 was spent (in 2003), which may have been hard to justify on an already excellent car – but it turned out the owner was spending money which wasn’t his! Ultimately the Rolls-Royce was put on the market along with several other seized cars. The next owner saw the car advertised and went to have a look. Upon seeing the car it was immediately evident that it was an outstandingly good example in every respect, so he bought it.

In the ensuing eighteen years of his ownership, he estimated he had driven the car less than 10,000km. It has led a pampered life. That owner advised the only major work he’s had to do was to the air conditioning system – otherwise it had been regular maintenance and servicing required. In December 2021 the car was given a major service and the opportunity was taken to rectify anything else which could be found on the car, getting everything up to the best standard. Four new white-sidewall tyres were fitted. Some $11,000 was spent. This was in preparation for selling the car – a sale which I handled.

The original handbook remains with the car and the service booklet shows consistent servicing. Today the odometer shows close to 40,000km, which is 140,000km. The car still wears its original Perth numberplates XHX 444.

For the new owner work was undertaken by a specialist workshop to bring any identifiable issue up to spec. A total of just over $14,500 was spent.

In May 2025 the car was entered for judging in the Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club Concours, where won its class. In the biggest class, this win is testament to the quality of the car’s restoration.

It’s very hard on inspection to find anything to criticise, inside, outside, in the engine bay and boot. The car is an absolute joy to drive and is tight and rattle free. The engine runs smoothly and offers ample performance.

This is a Silver Shadow which just needs to be enjoyed. For a buyer looking for a superior condition example of this classic Rolls-Royce, you need look no further. This car will impress on first inspection and for years to come.

Please request an email with more details and photos, from paul@classicrally.com.au