1936 Cadillac Series 90 Aero-Dynamic Coupe Style 5899

Cadillac was formed from the remnants of the Henry Ford Company when Henry Ford departed. Henry M. Leland & Faulconer Manufacturing Company persuaded the remaining partners to continue the automobile business using Leland's proven 1-cylinder engine. On August 22, 1903, the company was renamed the Cadillac Automobile Company.

The Cadillac's biggest selling point was precision manufacturing and reliability based on winning the British Dewar trophy for the most important advancement of the year in the automobile industry. General Motors acquired the company in 1909. Cadillac's introduction of V-12 and V-16 powered cars in 1930 kicked off the 'cylinder wars' among the American luxury marques leading Packard to introduce their line of twelves. The V-16 powered 90 Series was Cadillac's top-of-the-line car until production ceased in 1940. The 90 Series rode on a 154-inch wheelbase with the 452 cubic-inch V-16 engine delivering 185 horsepower. The bodies featured GM's all-steel Turret Top with Vee windshields. Only 52 were produced in 1936, all built to order.

The Aerodynamic Coupe body style was the production version of the show car built for Chicago's 1933 Century of Progress World's Fair and represents a unique shape and size for Classic Era cars. It represented a major accomplishment for Harley Earl and his design team. This was a concept that went right to production. These cars were built to impress.

The interior of this example features gold-finished hardware with windows edged in walnut. Cloth sun visors, shaped like abstract leaves, feature screw heads that imitate pearls.

The 36-90 Aero-Dynamic Coupe had an $8,150 price tag, making it one of the most expensive Cadillacs in 1936. The Series 90 models were fitted with Fleetwood coachwork and only 52 were produced on the 154-inch wheelbase. 24 of those were 7-passenger limousines.

This Cadillac Sixteen #5110209 was purchased by Mrs. Helen G. Olsen and is one of only five that are known to survive. Accordingly, her name is spelled 'Olson' as etched into the steering wheel hub. Which spelling version is correct is unknown but she was purported to be a prominent tennis star in the 1930s. The car has had several owners since then and was put in storage from 1965 until 1989. It was last restored in 1994 and has spent much of its life in California in ownership by several car enthusiasts which probably contributed to the preservation and condition of this rare model.

The Coupe was powered by the overhead-valve, 452-cubic-inch, V-16 engine producing 165 horsepower and 320 foot/pounds of torque.