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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
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 V-16 Fleetwood Town Sedan Chassis#: 5270052 Sold for USD$100,800 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | |
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 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 V16 SERIES 90 Chassis#: 5270127 Sold for USD$60,500 2018 Barrett-Jackson : Northeast | |
1938 Cadillac V-16 Town Sedan Chassis#: 5270283 Sold for USD$71,500 2018 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale | |
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 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 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 |
Cadillac Series 90s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1938 Cadillac Series 90's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1938 Cadillac Series 90 Limousine | 2022 Mecum : Glendale | $75,000 | |||
1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 | 5270289 | 2018 Mecum : Los Angeles | $200,000 | ||
1938 CADILLAC V-16 CONVERTIBLE SEDAN | 5270204 | 2017 Dragone Lime Rock Park | $85,000 | $10,000 | |
1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 Convertible Coupe | 5270289 | 2017 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 Limousine | 5270258 | 2014 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 Limousine | 5270075 | 2010 RM Auctions Automobiles of Amelia Island | $185,000 | $400,000 | $600,000 |
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1938 Cadillac Series 90
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