WILSHIRE OIL CO OF TEXAS
DEF 14A, 1998-06-19
CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                               (Amendment No. )

Filed by the Registrant         X
                               ---
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant      |_|

Check the appropriate box

      Preliminary Proxy Statement
- ---
 X       Definitive Proxy Statement
- ---
      Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
- ---

                          Wilshire Oil Company of Texas
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 X    No fee required
- ---
      Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a(6)(i)(4) and 0-11.
- ---

1)    Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

________________________________________________________________________________

2)    Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

________________________________________________________________________________

3)    Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant
      to Exchange Act Rule 0-11:

________________________________________________________________________________

4)    Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

________________________________________________________________________________

5)    Total Fee Paid:

________________________________________________________________________________

      Fee paid previously with preliminary materials
- ---
- ---   Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
      Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
      paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
      number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

1)    Amount previously paid:___________________________________________________

2)    Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.______________________________

3)    Filing party:_____________________________________________________________

4)    Date Filed:_______________________________________________________________



<PAGE>


                          WILSHIRE OIL COMPANY OF TEXAS
                                921 BERGEN AVENUE
                          JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY 07306


                                   ----------

                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

                                   ----------
 

     NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of WILSHIRE
OIL COMPANY OF TEXAS, a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the "Company"),
will be held at the Marriott at Glenpointe Hotel, 100 Frank W. Burr Boulevard,
Teaneck, New Jersey 07666 at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, July 23, 1998, for the
following purposes:

          (1) To elect 3 directors of the Company to serve until successors are
     elected and qualified.

          (2) To confirm the selection of Arthur Andersen LLP as independent
     public accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1998.

          (3) To transact such other business as may properly come before the
     meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.

     The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on June 5, 1998, as
the record date for the purpose of determining stockholders who are entitled to
notice of and to vote at the meeting.

     Directions to the Marriott at Glenpointe Hotel are included on the back
page of the Proxy Statement.


WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON, YOU ARE URGED TO SIGN,
DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, WHICH REQUIRES NO
UNITED STATES POSTAGE.


                                          By Order of the Board of Directors


                                          /s/ S. WILZIG IZAK
                                          --------------------------------------
                                              S. Wilzig Izak
                                              Chairman of the Board


Dated:  June 19, 1998


================================================================================
     You are cordially invited to join us for lunch, prior to the meeting,
     at 12:45 p.m.
================================================================================



<PAGE>

                          WILSHIRE OIL COMPANY OF TEXAS
                                921 BERGEN AVENUE
                          JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY 07306


                                   ----------

                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                                  JULY 23, 1998

                                   ----------


     This Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of proxy, which were first
sent to stockholders on or about June 19, 1998, are submitted in connection with
the solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders by the Board
of Directors of Wilshire Oil Company of Texas (the "Company") to be held on July
23, 1998 at 2:00 P.M. or any adjournment thereof (the "Annual Meeting"). The
close of business on June 5, 1998 has been fixed as the record date for the
determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual
Meeting. As of June 5, 1998, 9,391,883 shares of common stock ($1.00 par value)
of the Company ("Common Stock") were outstanding and entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting, each such share being entitled to one vote.

     A form of proxy is enclosed designating Eric J. Schmertz and S. Wilzig Izak
as proxies to vote shares at the Annual Meeting. Each proxy in that form
properly signed and received prior to the meeting will be voted as specified in
the proxy or if not specified, for the election as directors of those nominees
named in this Proxy Statement, and for confirmation of the appointment of Arthur
Andersen LLP as the Company's independent public accountants. Should any nominee
for director named in this Proxy Statement become unavailable for election,
which is not anticipated, it is intended that the persons acting under the
proxies will vote for the election in his stead of such other person as may be
nominated by the Board of Directors.

     At the time this Proxy Statement was mailed to stockholders, management was
not aware that any matter other than the election of directors and the
confirmation of the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP would be presented for
action at the Annual Meeting. If other matters properly come before the Meeting,
it is intended that the shares represented by proxies will be voted with respect
to those matters in accordance with the best judgment of the persons voting
them.

     Each stockholder who returns a proxy on the enclosed form has the right to
revoke that proxy at any time before it is voted. A proxy may be revoked by
filing with the Secretary of the Company a written revocation or a duly executed
proxy bearing a later date. Any shareholder may attend the Annual Meeting and
vote in person whether or not he has previously given a proxy.

     The presence in person or by properly executed proxy of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock is necessary to constitute a
quorum at the Annual Meeting. The votes of stockholders present in person or
represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting will be tabulated by inspectors of
election appointed by the Company. The nominees for director receiving a
plurality of votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be elected directors. Broker
non-votes will not be treated as a vote for or against any particular director
and will not affect the outcome of the election of directors. The affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock present in
person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting is necessary for confirmation of the
selection of Arthur Andersen LLP as the Company's accountants for the year
ending December 31, 1998. Since abstentions will be considered in the
determination of the number of shares present in person or by proxy at the
Annual Meeting, abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against
confirmation. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the adoption of this
proposal.

     The cost of soliciting the proxies to which this Proxy Statement relates
will be borne by the Company. In following up the original solicitation of
proxies by mail, the Company will make arrangements with 


                                       1



<PAGE>


brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to send proxies
and proxy material to the beneficial owners of the stock and will reimburse them
for their expenses. In addition to the use of the mail, and without additional
compensation therefor, proxies may be solicitated in person or by telephone,
facsimile or telegram by officers and regular employees of the Company.

VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF

     Based on information available to the Company, the Company believes that
the following persons held beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the
outstanding Common Stock as of June 5, 1998:


 Name and Address                               Amount and Nature of     Percent
of Beneficial Owner                             Beneficial Ownership    of Class
- -------------------                             --------------------    --------

Siggi B. Wilzig ............................        1,159,542(1)         12.04%
  921 Bergen Avenue
  Jersey City, New Jersey 07306

Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc. ............          738,513             7.87%
  1299 Ocean Avenue, Suite 650
  Santa Monica, CA 90401

- ----------

(1)  Includes 241,735 shares of Common Stock that could be obtained by Mr.
     Wilzig on the exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of June
     5, 1998. Mr. Wilzig, former Chairman and President of the Company, serves
     as the Senior Consultant to the Company at a remuneration of $90,000 per
     year. His duties include financial and personnel matters, purchases and
     sales and other transactions with respect to the Company's assets.

(2)  Pursuant to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission which
     reported beneficial ownership as of December 31, 1997, Dimensional Fund
     Advisors, Inc. ("Dimensional"), a registered investment advisor, disclosed
     that it is deemed to have beneficial ownership of 738,513 shares of Common
     Stock (adjusted for a 3% stock dividend paid by the Company in February
     1998), all of which shares are held in portfolios of DFA Investment
     Dimensions Group Inc., a registered open-end investment company, or in
     series of the DFA Investment Trust Company, a Delaware business trust, or
     the DFA Group Trust and DFA Participation Group Trust, investment vehicles
     for qualified employee benefit plans, all of which Dimensional Fund
     Advisors Inc. serves as investment manager. Dimensional disclaims
     beneficial ownership of all such shares.

          BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES; DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

     The Company is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. The
interests of stockholders of the Company are represented by the Board of
Directors, which oversees the business and management of the Company. This
solicitation of proxies is intended to give all stockholders the opportunity to
vote for the persons who are to be their representatives, as directors, in the
governance of the Company.

     The Company's current Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws
provide for a seven member Board of Directors divided into three classes of
directors serving staggered three-year terms. The term of office of directors in
Class III expires at the 1998 Annual Meeting, Class I at the next succeeding
Annual Meeting and Class II at the following succeeding Annual Meeting. Three
Class III nominees are named in this Proxy Statement.

     The Board of Directors of the Company holds periodic meetings as necessary
to deal with matters which it must consider. During 1997, the Board met a total
of 5 times. All directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and
Committees on which they served.

     The Board of Directors has an Executive Committee which consists of Ira
Braun, Ernest Wachtel and S. Wilzig Izak. This Committee may exercise all
authority of the full Board with the exception of specified limitations relating
to major corporate matters. The Executive Committee met 2 times during the past
year.

     The Board of Directors appoints an Audit Committee, comprised entirely of
directors who are not officers of the Company. The members of the Audit
Committee are Messrs. Milton Donnenberg,


                                       2



<PAGE>


Eric J. Schmertz and William J. Schwartz. The duties of the Audit Committee
include recommending to the Board the selection of independent public
accountants and reviewing their compensation and conferring with the independent
public accountants and certain officers of the Company to ensure the adequacy of
the Company's internal controls. During the past year, the Audit Committee met
once.

     The Board of Directors of the Company does not have a Nominating Committee
or a Compensation Committee, but the functions which would be performed by such
committees are performed by the Board. The Board will consider nominations for
directors by stockholders. Under the Company's By-laws, a stockholder must give
the Company at least 60 but not more then 90 days prior notice of such
stockholder's intention to nominate a person for election as a director;
provided that if the date of the annual meeting is first publicly announced less
than 70 days prior to the meeting, such prior notice shall be given not more
than 10 days after such meeting is first publicly announced. The Company's
by-laws describe the written information that must be submitted with any such
nomination. A shareholder seeking to nominate a person to serve on the Board who
fails to submit the necessary documentation will be precluded from making such a
nomination.

     The Board has a Stock Option Committee, which administers the Company's
stock option plans. This Committee, comprised of Ira Braun, Milton Donnenberg,
and Ernest Wachtel, met once during thepast year.

     Each director other than S. Wilzig Izak receives an annual fee of $10,000.
Members of the Executive Committee other than S. Wilzig Izak also receive an
annual fee of $4,000 and members of the Audit Committee and Stock Option
Committee also receive an annual fee of $2,000.

                        PROPOSAL 1--ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

     Three directors, constituting the Class III Directors, are to be elected at
the 1998 Annual Meeting for three-year terms expiring in 2001. There is no
cumulative voting; accordingly, proxies cannot be voted for more than three
nominees. The Board's nominees for Class III Directors are Dr. Ira F. Braun,
Ernest Wachtel, and W. Martin Willschick.

     The information provided below with respect to director nominees and
present directors includes (1) name, (2) class, (3) principal occupation,
business experience during the past five years and age, (4) the year in which he
or she became a director and (5) number and percentage of shares of Common Stock
of the Company beneficially owned. This information has been furnished by the
directors.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  Shares of
                                                                                                 Common Stock
                                                                                       Year      Beneficially
                                                                                      Became       Owned on
                                                                                     Director    June 5, 1998
                                               Principal Occupation                  of the     and Percentage
Name                           Class                and Age (a)                      Company     of Class (b)
- ----                           -----             -----------------                   -------    --------------
<S>                             <C>   <C>                                              <C>         <C>      
Dr. Ira F. Braun ...........    III   Director of Neuro Interventional                 1981        15,313(e)
                                        Radiology, Miami Vascular Institute;                         (0.16%)
                                        Clinical Professor of Radiology,
                                        University of Miami; prior thereto
                                        at Medical College of Virginia. Age 48.

Milton Donnenberg ..........    II    Formerly President, Milton Donnenberg            1981        15,250(e)
                                        Assoc.,Realty Management,                                    (0.16%)
                                        Carlstadt, N.J. Age 75.
</TABLE>

                                       3



<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  Shares of
                                                                                                 Common Stock
                                                                                       Year      Beneficially
                                                                                      Became       Owned on
                                                                                     Director    June 5, 1998
                                               Principal Occupation                  of the     and Percentage
Name                           Class                and Age (a)                      Company     of Class (b)
- ----                           -----             -----------------                   -------    --------------
<S>                             <C>   <C>                                              <C>         <C>      
S. Wilzig Izak .............    II    Chairman of the Board since                      1987       114,114(c)
                                        September 20, 1990; Chief                                    (1.20%)
                                        Executive Officer since May
                                        1991; Executive Vice President
                                        (1987-1990); prior thereto, Senior Vice
                                        President. Age 39.

Eric J. Schmertz, Esq. .....     I    Of Counsel to the law firm of Rivkin,            1983        16,008(e)
                                        Radler & Kremer since July 1,                                (0.17%)
                                        1989. Edward F. Carlough Distinguished
                                        Professor and formerly Dean, Hofstra
                                        University School of Law, Hempstead, N.Y.
                                        Age 72.

Dr. William J. Schwartz ....     I    Chief of Opthamology, Good                       1983       139,881(d)(e)
                                        Samaritan Hospital, Suffern, N.Y.                            (1.47%)
                                        Age 53.

Ernest Wachtel .............    III   President, Ellmax Corp., Builders                1970        91,281(e)
                                        and Realty Investors, Elizabeth, N.J.                        (0.96%)
                                        Age 73.

W. Martin Willschick .......    III   Manager, Capital Financing of the                1997         2,062
                                        Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto,                        (0.02%)
                                        Canada. Age 46. Mr. Willshick is
                                        Ms. Izak's first cousin.
</TABLE>

- ----------

(a)  No nominee or director is a director of any other company with a class of
     securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act
     of 1934 or subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of that Act or any
     company registered as an investment company under the Investment Company
     Act of 1940.

(b)  The shares of the Company's Common Stock are owned directly and
     beneficially, and the holders have sole voting and investment power, except
     as otherwise noted.

(c)  Includes 69,316 shares of stock that could be acquired by S. Wilzig Izak on
     the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of June 5, 1998.

(d)  Includes 26,813 shares of stock owned by a profit sharing plan, 27,864
     shares owned by Dr. Schwartz' wife and 2,953 shares owned by or on behalf
     of Dr. Schwartz' children.

(e)  Includes 3,090 shares of stock that could be obtained by each of the
     Outside Directors (other than W. Martin Willschick) on the exercise of
     options exercisable within 60 days of June 5, 1998.

     At June 5, 1998, Steven A. Gelman, the only Named Officer (as defined
below) who is not a director of the Company, beneficially owned 5,463 shares (or
0.06%) of Common Stock, all of which represent shares that could be acquired by
Mr. Gelman on the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of June 5,
1998. At June 5, 1998, all current directors and executive officers as a group
(nine persons) beneficially owned equity securities as follows:

                                                  Amount          Percent
                                               Beneficially         of
       Title of Class                              Owned           Class
       --------------                          ------------       -------

       Common Stock .......................      406,024*          4.28%

- ----------

* Includes 96,881 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days
  of June 5, 1998.


                                       4



<PAGE>


                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

SUMMARY OF CASH AND CERTAIN OTHER COMPENSATION

     The following table sets forth, for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1996
and 1997, the cash compensation paid by the Company and its subsidiaries, as
well as certain other compensation paid or accrued by such entities for those
years, to or with respect to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the
only other executive officer of the Company whose salary and bonus during 1997
exceeded $100,000 (the "Named Officers"), for services rendered in all
capacities during such period.

<TABLE>
                                SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Long-Term
                                       Annual Compensation             Compensation
Name and Current                      -----------------------------   ---------------      All Other
Principal Position             Year    Salary     Bonus    Other(a)   Options Granted   Compensation(b)
- ------------------             ----   --------   -------   --------   ---------------   ---------------
<S>                            <C>    <C>        <C>          <C>            <C>             <C> 
S. Wilzig Izak, ...........    1997   $140,000   $14,000      --             --              $221
  Chairman and CEO             1996    126,000    14,000      --             --               200
                               1995    117,000    14,000      --             --               187

Steven A. Gelman, .........    1997    105,000    10,000      --             --               211
  Senior Vice President        1996    100,000    10,000      --             --               192
  and Controller               1995     97,500     7,000      --             --               175

</TABLE>

- ----------

(a)  During the periods covered, the Named Officers did not receive perquisites
     (i.e., personal benefits such as country club memberships or use of
     automobiles).

(b)  The $221 and $211 amounts for 1997 represent the dollar value of insurance
     premiums paid by the Company for term life insurance policies for Ms. Izak
     and Mr. Gelman, respectively.

STOCK OPTIONS

     In June 1995, the Company adopted two new stock-based compensation plans
(the 1995 Stock Option and Incentive Plan and the 1995 Non-Employee Director
Stock Option Plan) under which up to 450,000 and 150,000 shares of Common Stock,
respectively, are available for grant. Options may no longer be granted under
stock option plans approved prior to 1995; however, certain options granted
under such prior plans currently remain outstanding.

     No stock options were granted to the Named Officers during the year ended
December 31, 1997.The following table provides data regarding options exercised
during 1997 by the Named Officers as well as the number of shares covered by
both exercisable and non-exercisable stock options held by the Named Officers at
December 31, 1997. Also reported are the values for "in-the-money" options,
which represent the positive spread between the exercise price of an existing
option and $5.44, the closing sale price of the Company's Common Stock on the
New York Stock Exchange on December 31, 1997.

<TABLE>
         OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
<CAPTION>
                                                              Number of
                                                             Securities       Value of
                                                             Underlying      Unexercised
                                                             Unexercised    in-the-money
                                                             Options at      Options at
                                                              12/31/97        12/31/97
                               Shares Acquired     Value    Exercisable/    Exercisable/
    Name                         on Exercise     Received   Unexercisable   Unexercisable
    ----                       ---------------   --------   -------------   -------------
<S>                                 <C>           <C>          <C>             <C>     
S. Wilzig Izak .............        12,176        $19,634      69,316/         $54,990/
                                                                    0                0

Steven A. Gelman ...........             0              0       5,463/               0/
                                                                    0                0
</TABLE>


                                       5



<PAGE>


PERFORMANCE GRAPH

     The following graph compares the cumulative total return on a hypothetical
$100 investment made at the close of business on December 31, 1992 in (i) the
Company's Common Stock, (ii) the Standard and Poors 500 Index, and (iii) the Dow
Jones Oil--Secondary Index. The graph is calculated assuming that all dividends
are reinvested during the relevant periods. The graph shows how a $100
investment would increase or decrease in value over time, based on dividends and
increases or decreases in market price.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                  [GEOGRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF CHART BELOW]


                COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURNS


                                            For the Year Ended December 31,
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                        1992   1993   1994   1995   1996   1997
                                        ----   ----   ----   ----   ----   ----
Wilshire Oil Company of Texas .......    100     98    104     89     83     87
S&P 500 .............................    100    110    112    153    189    252
Dow Jones Oil--Secondary ............    100    111    107    124    153    163


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      
BOARD REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     The Company does not have a separate Compensation Committee, and,
therefore, decisions concerning the compensation of the Company's executive
officers are made by the entire Board of Directors (other than decisions
relating to the grant of stock options under the Company's stock option plan,
which are made by the Stock Option Committee). S. Wilzig Izak, the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company and a member of the Board of Directors, has
abstained from all votes pertaining to her compensation. Pursuant to SEC rules
designed to enhance disclosure of corporate policies concerning executive
compensation, set forth below is a report submitted by the Board which addresses
the Company's compensation policies for 1997 as they affected the Company's
Chief Executive Officer and the Company's other executive officers.

     The goals of the Company's compensation policies pertaining to executive
officers are to provide a competitive level of salary and other benefits to
attract, retain and motivate highly qualified personnel, while balancing the
desire for cost containment.

     The key element of the Company's short term compensation is salary.
Executive officers receive performance and salary reviews each year. Salary
increases are based on an evaluation of the extent to which the executive
officer is deemed to have aided the Company in meeting its objectives.

     The Company provides the Chief Executive Officer with a competitive salary.
From 1995 to 1997, the Board determined to increase the Chief Executive
Officer's salary, in light of her successful efforts in expanding and
diversifying the Company's business. The salary of the other Named Officer was
also increased during this period as a result of his increased responsibilities
at the Company. The Board does not use specific financial factors, such as
earnings per share, in establishing base salaries for its executive officers.
The Board believes that while salary should provide the Company's executive
officers with suitable compensation, incentives to executives should be more
closely tied to Company performance through emphasis on stock options rather
than incremental pay increases.

     The Board believes that the key element in the Company's long term
compensation of executive officers is a stock option plan. Since it had granted
stock options to Ms. Izak and certain other executive officers in prior years,
the Board's Stock Option Committee decided not to grant additional stock options
to


                                       6



<PAGE>


the Named Officers in 1995, 1996 or 1997. Instead, it relied upon the incentives
provided by previously granted options to provide long-term goals for these
individuals.

     During 1993, the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1993 was enacted. This Act
includes potential limitations on the deductibility of compensation in excess of
$1 million paid to the Company's five highest paid officers beginning in 1994.
Based on an analysis by the Company to date, the Company does not anticipate
that compensation levels will reach the threshold described in this Act.

     The Board believes that its compensation policies balance the objectives of
fostering the retention and motivation of qualified executive officers while
striving to contain personnel costs.

         Respectfully submitted,

                  S. Wilzig Izak                Dr. William J. Schwartz
                  Milton Donnenberg             Dr. Ira F. Braun
                  Eric J. Schmertz              Ernest Wachtel
                                                W. Martin Willschick

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

     The Company does not have a formal Compensation Committee. However, the
entire Board of Directors performs the functions of such a Committee by
establishing compensation policies. S. Wilzig Izak, the Company's Chief
Executive Officer, is a member of the Board of Directors. She has abstained from
all votes pertaining to her own compensation. Siggi B. Wilzig, the Company's
Senior Consultant and former Chairman and President of the Company, has
participated in deliberations of the Board concerning executive officer
compensation. Mr. Wilzig has no vote with respect to such matters.

     During 1997 and the first quarter of 1998, the Company acquired seven real
estate properties from The Trust Company of New Jersey ("TCNJ") at an aggregate
price of approximately $10.6 million. The Company obtained first-mortgage loans
from TCNJ in the amount of $8.8 million to finance these purchases. The purchase
prices for these properties were based upon, among other things, independent MAI
appraisals. At March 31, 1998, the Company had mortgage loans payable to TCNJ in
the aggregate principal amount of $27 million at a weighted average effective
interest rate of approximately 7.5% per annum. At March 31, 1998, the Company
also had term loans payable to TCNJ in the aggregate principal amount of $6.9
million, secured by marketable securities; such loans bear interest at the prime
lending rate. Siggi B. Wilzig, whose shareholdings of the Company are described
on page 2 hereof, is an officer, director and significant shareholder of TCNJ.

     PROPOSAL 2--CONFIRMATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THIS PROPOSAL

     The Board of Directors, acting upon the recommendation of the Audit
Committee, has selected Arthur Andersen LLP to serve as the Company's
independent public accountants for the year ending December 31, 1998 and the
stockholders will be asked to confirm such selection at the Annual Meeting.
Arthur Andersen LLP has audited the books and records of the Company for many
years.

     Representatives of Arthur Andersen LLP are expected to attend the Annual
Meeting, to have an opportunity to make a statement, if they desire to do so,
and to be available to respond to appropriate questions.

     The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee which meets with the
management of the Company and representatives of Arthur Andersen LLP. The
activities of the Committee are discussed on page 3 of this Proxy Statement.


                                       7



<PAGE>


                                  MISCELLANEOUS

     SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS--Any proposals of stockholders intended
to be presented at the 1999 Annual Meeting must be received by the Company no
later than February 18, 1999 for inclusion in the Company's Proxy Statement and
form of proxy.

     Furthermore, in order for business to be properly brought before any
meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must give timely prior notice thereof
in writing to the Secretary of the Company. To be timely, a stockholder's notice
must be given to the Secretary not less than 60 nor more than 90 days prior to
the date of the meeting; provided that if the date of the meeting is first
publicly announced less than 70 days before the date of the meeting, such
advance notice must be given within ten days after such meeting date is first
publicly announced. All such notices must set forth, as to each matter the
stockholder proposes to bring before the Annual Meeting, (i) the text of the
proposal, (ii) a brief description of the reasons for such proposal, (iii) the
name and address of the stockholder proposing such business, (iv) the class and
number of shares of Common Stock which are beneficially owned by the stockholder
and (v) any material interest of the stockholder in such proposal. The
chairperson of the meeting will determine whether sufficient notice has been
given; in the absence of such notice, a stockholder proposal will not be
considered.

     We hope that you will attend the meeting of shareholders, and look forward
to your presence. HOWEVER, EVEN THOUGH YOU PLAN TO ATTEND, YOU ARE URGED TO
COMPLETE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY. If you wish to change your vote or
vote in person, your proxy may be revoked at any time prior to the time it is
voted.

                                                              
                                          /s/  S. WILZIG IZAK
                                          --------------------------------------
                                               S. Wilzig Izak
                                               Chairman of the Board

Dated: June 19, 1998

                                   ----------

     A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997,
INCLUDING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, ACCOMPANIES THIS PROXY STATEMENT. THE ANNUAL
REPORT IS NOT TO BE REGARDED AS PROXY SOLICITING MATERIAL OR AS A COMMUNICATION
BY MEANS OF WHICH ANY SOLICITATION IS TO BE MADE.

     THE COMPANY WILL PROVIDE WITHOUT CHARGE, TO ANY SHAREHOLDER OF RECORD WHO
REQUESTS IT, A COPY OF ITS ANNUAL REPORT TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION ON FORM 10-K, INCLUDING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THE SCHEDULES
THERETO, FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997. REQUESTS FOR COPIES OF THE FORM
10-K SHOULD BE SENT TO: WILSHIRE OIL COMPANY OF TEXAS, SHAREHOLDER RELATIONS
DEPARTMENT, 921 BERGEN AVENUE, JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY 07306.


                                       8



<PAGE>

                        DIRECTIONS TO MARRIOTT GLENPOINTE
                 100 FRANK W. BURR BOULEVARD, TEANECK, NJ 07666
                                 (201) 836-0600
 _
[_]  FROM POINTS NORTH AND EAST:

     Interstate 95 South to Exit 70 (Teaneck)
     Bear Right into Hotel Parking Lot
     (2 Miles south of the George Washington Bridge)

 _ 
[_]  FROM POINTS WEST:
   
     Interstate 80 East to Exit 70 (Teaneck)
     (Following Signs to I-95 North)
     After Crossing Overpass, Bear Right into Hotel Parking Lot

 _ 
[_]  FROM POINTS SOUTH:
   
     Interstate 95 North (Becoming New Jersey Turnpike), continuing
     on 95 North to Exit 70 (Teaneck)
     After Crossing Overpass, Bear Right into Hotel Parking Lot


================================================================================
     You are cordially invited to join us for lunch, prior to the meeting,
     at 12:45 p.m.
================================================================================




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