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1938 Cadillac Series 90 news, pictures, and information
 |  | View more photos Coupe Coachwork: Fleetwood Chassis Num: 5270181 |
The car was one of the first with the steering column mounted transmission shifter. This car is number 10 of 13, series 9029, built and sold in 1938. It is equipped with a V-16 flathead L-Head engine of unique design with a 135-degree angle between cylinders. It has nine main bearings and was very strong and many were adapted for stationary use such as pumps in the petroleum industry.
 |  | View more photos Convertible Sedan Coachwork: Fleetwood |
| | View more photos Coupe Coachwork: Fleetwood Chassis Num: 5270181 |
This car has been treated to a frame-off restoration. It is finished in Ox Blood Maroon with a matching maroon interior and tan top. It has been owned by three owners since new, with the original owner (MGM) owning the car until 1970. While in MGM's care, it is reported that several famous fil stars of the day used this car for various types of transportation.
Unique options to this car include the divider window, two-zone heater including a rear floor heater, factory spot lights on both sides of the automobile, factory Master AM radio, and Trippe driving lights.
At auction the bidding surpassed the estimated value, selling for $286,000 including buyer's premium. It is a car packed with potential for both concours events and driving tours. It is a very unique vehicle with a wonderful history and powered by a sixteen cylinder power-plant. The coachwork is exquisite and truly a testament to the craftsmanship of the Fleetwood Company.
 |  | View more photos Convertible Sedan Coachwork: Fleetwood Chassis Num: 5270103 |
In 2008 it was brought to the Automobiles of Amelia presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $250,000 - $350,000. It was not surprising to see the winning bid far exceed the estimates, settling at $412,500 including buyer's premium. It is a gorgeous car that is a top contender at nearly every event it attends.
Ninety-five customers chose the Imperial Seven-passenger sedan as their choice of bodystyle for the V16 Cadillac. They rode on a wheelbase that measured 141.3-inches and had a three-speed column-shifted manual gearbox and duo-servo Bendix four-wheel hydraulic brakes.
This example has never been restored, just carefully maintained throughout its life. The original black paint has been touched-up where needed. Chrome has been replaced in certain places. It retains its wide whitewall tires and dual sidemount spares. The interior features wood trim, tan broadcloth material in the passenger compartment, and black leather in the driver's area.
The engine was rebuilt by RM Auto Restorations.
One of Canada's wealthiest families, the Billes of Canadian Tire fame, once owned this Imperial Sedan. Subsequent owners have preserved the cars patina and kept it in mostly-original condition, a rarity as moth have been restored at least once during their lifetime.
In 2008 it was brought to the Automobiles of Amelia presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $60,000 - $80,000. It was offered without reserve which worked well for the buyer who purchased this magnificent car for the sum of $46,750 including buyer's premium.
 |  | View more photos Imperial Sedan Coachwork: Fleetwood Chassis Num: 5270283 |
The V16 shrunk from 452 cubic-inches to 431 cubic-inches in 1938. It lost its overhead valves in favor of a flat-head configuration. It was a short-stroke 135-degree motor that was lighter and more powerful than its predecessor.
This 1938 Cadillac Series 90 V16 Imperial Town Sedan is one of just 20 produced and only one of eight known to have survived in modern times. It is believed that its original owner was the Governor of Texas. It remains in mostly original condition. It still retains its original body and hood paint. The bumpers and hood side panels have been re-chromed and the front fenders have been re-sprayed.
In 2007 it was brought to Carmel, California where it was offered for sale at Bonhams auction, An Important Sale of Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia. The lot was sold for $55,000 plus premium and tax.
 | | View more photos Fleetwood Fastback Limousine Coachwork: Fleetwood |
| | View more photos Convertible Sedan Coachwork: Fleetwood |
From 1930 through 1940 Cadillac produced a monsterous sixteen-cylinder engine. It was first displayed to the automotive community at the Detroit Opera House prior to the Detroit Auto Show. This was the largest number of cylinders to power an automobile of all time. The hood that housed the engine was intimidating, larger and longer than any other vehicle. Up to this point, there were only a few manufacturers that produced a twelve-cylinder engine, mechanical achievements in their own right. The introduction of the sixteen-cylinder engine was historical and seen as revolutionary at the time.
Up to the 1990's there have only been three manufacturers of a sixteen cylinder engine. The Bugatti Type 47 never made series production while the Marmon Corporation offering was short lived. In comparison, the Marmon built V-16 was more powerful. By using aluminum, the 491 cubic-inch engine with its overhead values weighed just over 900 pounds. The engine was formed by merging twin-eight cylinder engines in a 45-degree angle, giving the engine an impressive look and an astonishing 200 horsepower. The use of steel cylinder sleeves added to the longevity and durability of the engine. The V-16 engine earned Howard Marmon the Society of Automotive Engineers annual design award.
The Cadillac V-16 was the first and remained in production for eleven years.
A new sixteen-cylinder engine was introduced by Cadillac in 1938. This was not their first V16 enigne; their first had been designed by engineer, Owen Nacker of Marmon fame. It had an overhead valve design and mounted at a 45-degree to one another. Each back of the sixteen cylinders had their own exhaust and fuel system. The engine featured hydraulic valve adjusters that helped with the silent valve train operation. The exterior of the engine was equally as impressive, with all the wiring and hoses concealed under cover and finished in chrome, polished aluminum, porcelain and baked enamel. The result was a 452 cubic-inch engine that was nearly unmatched in the industry at the time.
A V12 version followed shortly after the introduction of the V16; it displaced 368 cubic-inches and was basically three-quarters of a V16. Both of these engines remained in production through 1937. The V12 did not resume production for 1938. A new engine was introduced in 1938 and that very different than its predecessors. It was an L-head design, cast in a 135-degree vee, and featured a monobloc design. The was easier and more economical to manfacutre and it weighed 250 pounds less, had 21 fewer cubic-inches, but developed the same power.
The V12 engine was used to power the Series 85 for 1937. The Series 75 and Series 85 were the same vehicle, with the exception of the powerplant. The Series 75 used a V8 engine. In 1938 the V12 was discontinued, and the V16 took its place. The sixteen-cylinder cars were shortened to a length similar to the Series 75, and the chassis and bodies were interchangeable.
There were twelve bodystyles available, including coupes, convertible coupes, and sedans, as well as the larger seven-passenger sedans and limousines. These larger vehicles were called Formal Sedans or Imperial sedans depending on whether they had a division partition.
The Series 90 experienced its best year in 1938 with 315 examples built. The five-passenger Touring Sedan was the most popular, with 41 sold.
In 1939, the front of the V8 Cadillacs were midly updated. The grille was raked back and the headlights were now mounted to the nose and flush with the top of the grille. Chrome moldings were added to the running boards and the fender ornamentaion was now fully chromed. The rear license plate was moved from the left fender to the trunk lid.
There were a total of 138 V16 cars produced in 1939. Few changes or modifications to the car followed for 1940. A total of 61 V16 cars were built this would be the final year for their production. A total of 4,400 examples were built over an eleven year period.
© 1998-2009. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Up to the 1990's there have only been three manufacturers of a sixteen cylinder engine. The Bugatti Type 47 never made series production while the Marmon Corporation offering was short lived. In comparison, the Marmon built V-16 was more powerful. By using aluminum, the 491 cubic-inch engine with its overhead values weighed just over 900 pounds. The engine was formed by merging twin-eight cylinder engines in a 45-degree angle, giving the engine an impressive look and an astonishing 200 horsepower. The use of steel cylinder sleeves added to the longevity and durability of the engine. The V-16 engine earned Howard Marmon the Society of Automotive Engineers annual design award.
The Cadillac V-16 was the first and remained in production for eleven years.
A new sixteen-cylinder engine was introduced by Cadillac in 1938. This was not their first V16 enigne; their first had been designed by engineer, Owen Nacker of Marmon fame. It had an overhead valve design and mounted at a 45-degree to one another. Each back of the sixteen cylinders had their own exhaust and fuel system. The engine featured hydraulic valve adjusters that helped with the silent valve train operation. The exterior of the engine was equally as impressive, with all the wiring and hoses concealed under cover and finished in chrome, polished aluminum, porcelain and baked enamel. The result was a 452 cubic-inch engine that was nearly unmatched in the industry at the time.
A V12 version followed shortly after the introduction of the V16; it displaced 368 cubic-inches and was basically three-quarters of a V16. Both of these engines remained in production through 1937. The V12 did not resume production for 1938. A new engine was introduced in 1938 and that very different than its predecessors. It was an L-head design, cast in a 135-degree vee, and featured a monobloc design. The was easier and more economical to manfacutre and it weighed 250 pounds less, had 21 fewer cubic-inches, but developed the same power.
The V12 engine was used to power the Series 85 for 1937. The Series 75 and Series 85 were the same vehicle, with the exception of the powerplant. The Series 75 used a V8 engine. In 1938 the V12 was discontinued, and the V16 took its place. The sixteen-cylinder cars were shortened to a length similar to the Series 75, and the chassis and bodies were interchangeable.
There were twelve bodystyles available, including coupes, convertible coupes, and sedans, as well as the larger seven-passenger sedans and limousines. These larger vehicles were called Formal Sedans or Imperial sedans depending on whether they had a division partition.
The Series 90 experienced its best year in 1938 with 315 examples built. The five-passenger Touring Sedan was the most popular, with 41 sold.
In 1939, the front of the V8 Cadillacs were midly updated. The grille was raked back and the headlights were now mounted to the nose and flush with the top of the grille. Chrome moldings were added to the running boards and the fender ornamentaion was now fully chromed. The rear license plate was moved from the left fender to the trunk lid.
There were a total of 138 V16 cars produced in 1939. Few changes or modifications to the car followed for 1940. A total of 61 V16 cars were built this would be the final year for their production. A total of 4,400 examples were built over an eleven year period.
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Automobile information, history, and specifications from concept to production. | © 1998-2009 Conceptcarz.com
subscribe - RSSAutomobile information, history, and specifications from concept to production. | © 1998-2009 Conceptcarz.com