1936 Cadillac Series 90 Convertible Sedan with Dividers

Launched at the New York Auto Show on January 4, 1930, the Cadillac was the first production road car to be built with a V16 engine. Owen Nacker designed the V16 based on two straight-eight Buick engines with a common crankshaft but with each bank independently operated by a center-mounted camshaft with pushrod valves. Cadillac general manager Lawrence Fisher and GM stylist Harley Earl were responsible for the Cadillac's styling, and most were bodied by Fleetwood although the customer could choose from over 70 different body styles.

This car was first delivered to the Cadillac dealership in Brooklyn in 1936. In 1957, with just over 16,000 miles on the clock, it was donated to the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, and it remained there until 2008. It has now been restored to its original specifications by its current owner.

1936 was the second-to-last season for Cadillac's original V-16 and just six examples of the Series 90 Convertible Sedan were built that year. The original owner of this example is not known; the owner's name was not 'tagged' on the sheet which may suggest that it was built for showroom display.

By the 1940s, it was in the care of John B. Hawley Jr., of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Around this time, it was given streamlined, curved running boards. The front fenders were modified with built-in headlamps and the dual side-mounted spares were removed. One of the spares was relocated to inside the trunk.

The car remained with Mr. Hawley until 1949, at which point it had 17,000 miles recorded. He gifted the car to the Museum of Science & Industry. It remained in the museum for the next 59 years. In 2008, it was deaccessioned by the Museum and acquired by its current owner.

The car was serviced and inspected and the only major restoration work included returning the fenders to their original configuration. The body was re-finished in its original Phantom Metallic, with a proper interior in the correct leather.

The car made a class award-winning appearance at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2015.