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1938 Cadillac Series 90 Convertible Coupe

The second-generation V-16 Cadillac engine was introduced in 1938. It featured a simple side-valve configuration, a more conventional design, and an unusual 135-degree bank angle. It offered comparable horsepower and torque while weighing 250 pounds less and was less costly to build than its predecessor.

The new Series 90 V-16 engine used the same chassis of the same 141.25-inch wheelbase as the eight-cylinder Series 75, and both received the same Fleetwood bodies. This allowed pricing to be significantly reduced from previous years.

The catalog for 1938 and 1939 Series 90 models included twelve bodies, all wearing styles by Cadillac's Chief Designer Bill Mitchell.

This particular example is one of just 10 convertible coupes built on the Series 90 V-16 chassis in 1938. It originally wore a Moleskin Gray exterior, a color code that matches the paint code (number 6) shown on the original Fleetwood firewall tag. Originally sold in Rochester, New York, the Cadillac had made its way to Pennsylvania by the 1960s.

The car's next owner was Ted Johnson, who had the car restored by George Holman of Massachusetts. Mr. Holman then purchased the car and traded it to Rick Carroll of Jensen Beach, Florida.

At some point, it received its bright red exterior.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2017

2018 RM Auctions : Auburn Fall

Sale Price :
USD $200,000

2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $325,000-USD $375,000 
Lot was not sold

2016 RM Sothebys : Arizona

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $350,000-USD $450,000 
Sale Price :
USD $325,000

1938 Cadillac Series 90 Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Cadillac Series 90

(Data based on Model Year 1938 sales)
1938 CADILLAC SERIES 90 V-16 CONVERTIBLE SEDAN
Sold for USD$179,200
  2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1938 Cadillac Series 90 image  1938 Cadillac Series 90 image  
1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 Fleetwood Town Sedan
Chassis#: 5270052
Sold for USD$100,800
  2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center
1938 Cadillac Series 90 image  1938 Cadillac Series 90 image  
1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 Seven-Passenger Sedan
Chassis#: 7271119
Sold for USD$74,000
  2019 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Corpus Christi Old Car Museum Auction
 
1938 Cadillac Series 38-90 7-Passenger Imperial Limousine
Sold for USD$54,880
  2019 Bonhams : Tupelo Auction
 
1938 Cadillac Series 90 5-Passenger Sedan
Chassis#: 5270127
Sold for USD$41,440
  2019 Bonhams : Amelia Island
1938 Cadillac Series 90 image  
1938 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Sedan by Fleetwood
Chassis#: 5270060
Sold for USD$176,000
  2018 RM Sothebys : Hershey
 
1938 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Coupe Conversion
Chassis#: 5270136
Sold for USD$189,750
  2018 RM Sothebys : Hershey
 
1938 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Coupe by Fleetwood
Sold for USD$200,000
  2018 RM Auctions : Auburn Fall
1938 Cadillac Series 90 image  1938 Cadillac Series 90 image  
1938 CADILLAC V16 SERIES 90
Chassis#: 5270127
Sold for USD$60,500
  2018 Barrett-Jackson : Northeast
1938 Cadillac Series 90 image  
1938 Cadillac V-16 Town Sedan
Chassis#: 5270283
Sold for USD$71,500
  2018 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale
1938 Cadillac Series 90 image  1938 Cadillac Series 90 image  
1938 CADILLAC V-16 CONVERTIBLE SEDAN
Chassis#: 5270060
Sold for USD$70,400
  2017 Dragone Lime Rock Park
 
1938 Cadillac 38-90 V-16 Imperial Sedan Coachwork by Fleetwood
Chassis#: 5270245
Sold for USD$82,500
  2017 Bonhams : Quail Lodge
1938 Cadillac Series 90 image  1938 Cadillac Series 90 image  
1938 CADILLAC V-16
Sold for USD$48,000
  2017 Leake Auction - Dallas
 
1938 Cadillac Series 90 Fleetwood Convertible
Sold for USD$32,000
  2017 Mecum : Houston
 
1938 CADILLAC SERIES 90 V16 CONVERTIBLE
Chassis#: 5270045
Sold for USD$121,000
  2017 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale
 
1938 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Coupe by Fleetwood
Sold for USD$325,000
  2016 RM Sothebys : Arizona
1938 Cadillac Series 90 image  1938 Cadillac Series 90 image  
1938 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Coupe
Chassis#: 5270060
Sold for USD$291,500
  2015 Dragone Auction - Fall
 
1938 Cadillac V-16 Series 90 Fleetwood Limousine
Chassis#: 5270227
Sold for USD$46,750
  2015 Motostalgia Auction - Indianapolis Brickyard
 
1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 Fleetwood Seven-Passenger Touring Sedan
Sold for USD$46,200
  2015 Auctions America - Auburn Spring
 
1938 CADILLAC V16 SEDAN
Chassis#: 5270127
Sold for USD$52,800
  2014 Barrett-Jackson's 43RD Annual Scottsdale Auction
1938 Cadillac Series 90 image  

Cadillac Series 90s That Failed To Sell At Auction

1938 Cadillac Series 90's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1938 Cadillac Series 90 Limousine 2022 Mecum : Glendale$75,000  
1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-1652702892018 Mecum : Los Angeles$200,000  
1938 CADILLAC V-16 CONVERTIBLE SEDAN52702042017 Dragone Lime Rock Park $85,000$10,000
1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 Convertible Coupe52702892017 Bonhams : Quail Lodge $275,000$325,000
1938 Cadillac V16 Series 38-90 Convertible Coupe (LHD) 2017 Shannons Sydney Autumn Classic   
1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 Convertible 2017 Mecum : Indianapolis$260,000  
1938 Cadillac V16 Series 38-90 Convertible Coupe (LHD) 2017 Shannons Melbourne Autumn Classic   
1938 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Coupe by Fleetwood 2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island $325,000$375,000
1938 Cadillac V16 Convertible 2015 Hollywood Motors : Amelia Island Select   
1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 Limousine52702582014 The 7th Annual Auburn Auction $70,000$90,000
1938 Cadillac Series 9 2014 Mecum Kissimmee$40,000  
1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 Sedan 2013 Auctions America Auburn Fall$43,000  
1938 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood Restomod Sedan 2013 Auctions America Auburn Fall$22,500  
1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 Seven-Passenger Sedan 2013 Auctions America Auburn Fall$50,000  
1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 Fleetwood Formal Sedan 2013 Auctions America Auburn Fall$41,000  
1938 Cadillac Series 38-90 9019 5-Passenger Sedan 2013 Leake Car Auctions Tulsa Ok$49,000  
1938 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Coupe 2013 Auctions America Auburn Spring$275,000  
1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 Fleetwood 7-Passenger Sedan 2013 Auctions America Ft Lauderdale$50,000  
1938 Cadillac V-16 Sedan 2012 Auctions America Auburn Fall$50,000  
1938 Cadillac V16 Presidential Convertible Parade Limousine52700752010 RM Auctions Automobiles of Amelia Island$185,000$400,000$600,000

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1938 Cadillac Series 90

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