 1938 Series 90 | 1940 Series 90 Sixteen  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
1939 Cadillac Series 90 news, pictures, and information | ||
| Tweet | ||
 |  |  | Convertible Sedan Coachwork: Fleetwood Chassis Num: 5290067 Engine Num: 5290067 |
| Sold for $170,500 at 2009 Worldwide Auctioneers. High bid of $185,000 at 2011 RM Auctions. (did not sell) | |||
The 38-90 sat on the same chassis as the Series 75 V8, a full 13-inch shorter than earlier Cadillac V-16s. This meant that the 1938 V16s had nearly a ton less mass to move than their predecessors and performance was markedly improved. The new V16 made 185 horsepower from its smaller 431 cubic-inch displacement, the same as the earlier narrow angle 452 cubic-inch V16.
The exterior designs owed much to a newer talent, Bill Mitchell, and reflected aerodynamic trends and elegant packaging. Cadillac offered the same twelve semi-custom body styles in the V16 that were available on the Series 75 V8. Most were practical closed and formal designs.
From 1938 through 1940, Cadillac produced just 514 V16 cars. Only 19 convertible coupes and the same number of convertible sedans (of which 11 had rollup glass divider windows) were built. This particular example is a 1939 Cadillac 39-90 V16 Convertible Touring Sedan. It has a large chrome plated die cast eggcrate grille flanked by headlights flared into the front fender catwalks. The hood sides had three longer tapered horizontal louvers with similar moldings on the front and rear fenders. There is a raked vee windshield with large wind wings.
This example is painted in dark green with saddle tan leather upholstery, tan carpets and kick panels, and a tan cloth top. There are dual side-mounted spares carried under hinged covers. The body color wheels have large hubcaps and wide whitewall tires.
In 2009, this 39-90 V16 Convertible Touring Sedan was offered for sale at the Houston Classic Auction in Seabrook, Texas, presented by Worldwide Auctioneers. The lot was estimated to sell for $125,000 - $175,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the lot had sold to a phone bidder for the sum of $155,000, plus buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | May 2009
 |  |  | Convertible Sedan Coachwork: Fleetwood Chassis Num: 5290710 |
| Sold for $170,500 at 2008 RM Auctions. | |||
It is painted in a maroon color and has a tan canvas top. The interior is matching leather, and magenta carpet is fitted to the lining of the trunk and the floor. There are optional dual side-mount spare tires with the one-piece smooth steel covers, first introduced on the 1938 models.
In 2008 it was brought to the Automobiles of Amelia presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $200,000-$250,000. The selling price fell just short of the estimate but the reserve was dropped and the car was sold. It found a new owner for the price of $170,500 including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2008
 |  |  | Sedan Coachwork: Fleetwood |
The car is a pleasure to drive with a light clutch, smooth shifting gearbox, and has lots of low-end torque. The cars fuel economy is not one of its strong suits.
 | Convertible Coupe Coachwork: Fleetwood Chassis Num: 5290093 | |
| Sold for $330,000 at 2008 RM Auctions. Sold for $231,000 at 2010 Gooding & Company. | ||
A short time later, the car was given a show quality, bare-metal repaint in black, thought to be the original color. A new correct top piped in dark red leather, was fitted. The red upholstery is in great condition and the interior trim is correct for the 1939 model year.
The original body tag appears to have never been removed and is affixed to the firewall. The Convertible Coupe features the proper chrome flashing and there are many desirable accessories such as Trippe driving lights, radio, dash-mounted clock and a heater.
In 2010, this V-16 Cadillac was offered for sale at Gooding & Company Auction held in Amelia Island, Florida. The car was estimated to sell for $225,000 - $275,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $231,000, inclusive of buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2010
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.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2008
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.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2008
| 18th Annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance Tickets Now Available Online | |
 | Tickets are now available on line for the 18th Annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. The three-day Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance is scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 8-10, 2013 at the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island Resort, Amelia Island, Florida. The centerpiece, Concours d'Elegance, is schedule for Sunday March 10, 2013 on the Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach. The field opens at 9:30 A.M., remaining open until 5:00 P.M. Discounted advance sale tickets ...[Read more...] |
| ROAD AMERICA AND CHEVROLET CELEBRATE 60 YEARS OF CORVETTES AT WORLD TRIBUTE | |
 | Hundreds of dedicated Corvette racers and enthusiasts will celebrate the marque's 60th year in production at Road America on Sunday, August 19. The occasion is the Corvette World Tribute, a gathering of vintage and contemporary examples of America's favorite sports car at America's greatest road course. Like brats and cheese, Corvettes are part of Road America's essential character. In the early days, the track was a favorite destination for Chevrolet executives to stage sneak previews of up...[Read more...] |
| Joe Bortz to Host Historic Dream Car Discussion Panel | |
 | Dream car collector and historian Joe Bortz has prepared a special treat for participants at the 40th Annual Pontiac-Oakland Club International Convention in St. Charles Illinois, this coming July 17-21. In addition to bringing his four historic Pontiac Dream Cars, he has also assembled a panel, conisisting of two noted designers, a retired engineer and two veteran authors to examine the topic of Pontiac's early concept vehicles. The panel discussion will be held on Friday, July 20th at 1...[Read more...] |
| Lost Mercedes - Surfaces At Bonhams | |
 | One owner, unrestored, supercharged 'S' Type Mercedes to be sold by Bonhams at Goodwood Revival this autumn One of the greatest and most important motor car finds of the last decade, the 'Lost Mercedes' is to be offered at Bonhams Goodwood Revival sale on Saturday 15th September 2012. Bonhams announced today that it has been commissioned to sell a recently discovered 1928 Mercedes-Benz 26/120/180 'S' Type Sports Tourer which almost without precedent for motor cars of this type and d...[Read more...] |
| Automotive Hall of Fame Inductees Named | |
 | Awards to be Presented in Conjunction with the Concours d'Elegance of America The Automotive Hall of Fame will present its annual induction and awards ceremony on Thursday, July 26, 2012 as one of the week-long Concours d'Elegance of America events. It will be held at The Inn at St. John's in Plymouth, Michigan. Both the Concours d'Elegance of America and the Automotive Hall of Fame celebrate the heritage and history of Detroit. The show highlights the evolution of the automobile's...[Read more...] |
 1939
Cadillac
models |
| Cadillac Series 75 |
| Similar Automakers | |
| Chevrolet | Chrysler |
| Dodge | Ford |
| GMC | Hummer |
| Jeep | Lincoln |
| Mercury | Pontiac |
| Saturn | |
| Similarly Priced Vehicles from 1939 |
| Lincoln Model K ($4,805-$7,105) |
| Packard 1708 Twelve ($4,500-$8,400) |
| Cadillac Series 75 ($3,105-$5,250) |
Average Auction Sale: $159,289 |
| Cadillac: 1931-1940 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Cadillac History |
| Other models by Cadillac |
| Manufacturer Website |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1938 Series 90 | 1940 Series 90 Sixteen |
