Don't be fooled by this 1951 Oldsmobile's modest looks, there's a ton of money and time invested in the build. The original Rocket V8 has been supplanted by a far more powerful small block and the interior is just beautifully crafted. Sure, bright red is flashy, but this Olds has so much more to offer than you'd expect at first glance.This Olds uses a body very similar to other GM cars of the '50s, so it's trim and attractively styled. Even in red, it has a conservative style that's easy to like and helps it stay under the radar. Fit and finish were quite good when the car was finished some years ago, so it shows signs of use and age today, but you shouldn't hesitate to get out and put it on the road right now. It shines beautifully out in the sun and the unusual sight of a 1951 Olds will always get people talking. Things like the fender skirts give it a nice 1950s personality and there's plenty of ornamental trim; after all, this was an Oldsmobile, not a garden-variety Chevy. That trim and brightwork remains in good shape, especially the hood ornament and heavy bumpers, plus the neat Oldsmobile globe emblem on the nose. Tailfins were coming, no doubt about that, and this olds hints at it with the wonderfully detailed taillight housings with bullet-shaped lenses and just the tiniest of fins along the top of the fender.Someone spent a small fortune on the interior, which features high-back bucket seats wrapped in red and tan leather and a rear bench finished to match. Custom door panels give it a complete, OEM look by working with the seats and retaining things like the window cranks and arm rest. The factory dash is finished to match the bodywork, but things like a tilt wheel and modern gauges have been neatly integrated into the design. The clock that's usually perched up on top of the radio is now a tachometer, with a neatly-installed AM/FM radio in the dash. An aftermarket A/C system fits unobtrusively under the dash, so this car is a very comfortable cruiser in any weather, and the neatly fitted carpets give it a luxurious feel and help control noise. There's also a giant truck that's been upholstered to match and includes provisions for a stand-up spare tire in the original well, just in case.The original Rocket V8 was no slouch, but the 350 cubic inch Chevy V8 in there now is larger and more powerful in every way. It's an easy fit and there's plenty of room for service, and it's been neatly dressed with a chrome air cleaner, finned valve covers, and polished accessories up front. Red details tie it in with the bodywork and there's a giant aluminum radiator up front to effortlessly keep things cool. All the ancillary systems have been updated as well, including power steering, a modern master cylinder with vacuum assist, and a 700R4 -4speed automatic overdrive transmission that makes this an effortless cruiser. The steering is now by rack-and-pinion, so it tracks and handles far better than when it was new, and there's a fresh dual exhaust system that offers a wonderful old-school burble. A fabricated gas tank hangs out back and makes for bladder-bursting highway range, and the 225/75/15 whitewall radials on stock wheels with hubcaps might be the most subtle feature of all.A clean, easy-to-maintain Olds that's ready to go, you won't get much more vintage cruiser than this for your money anywhere else. Call today!