1938 Cadillac Series 90 7-Passenger Imperial Sedan

The first series of Model 452 V-16 Cadillacs were built between 1930 and 1937 in steadily decreasing numbers with 50 examples built in 1937. General Motors considered closing it, but in 1938 they announced a new V-16. It was built of cast iron construction with compact cylinders with 'square' dimensions of 3.25 inches bore and stroke, 431 cubic inches. Its unique cylinder arrangement had a 135-degree v-angle. For simplicity and ease of servicing it employed side valves. Manifolds and dual carburetors within the wide-v and a pair of eight-cylinder distributors likewise were easy to service. It was 115 pounds lighter than the V-12 and 250 pounds lighter than the 452 V-16. The back cylinders were placed behind the firewall line under the toe board, allowing it to fit in place of the V-8 in the 141-inch wheelbase chassis.

The sixteen-cylinder powering the 38-90 offered 185 brake horsepower and gave them 100 mph top speeds. During its three years in production, Cadillac built just 514 second-generation V-16s and most of them were large sedans intended to be chauffeur driven.

This particular example is a 7-passenger Imperial Sedan by Fleetwood, body style number 38-9033. It is one of 95 built in 1938 and is equipped with a rollup division window, rear compartment footrest, ashtrays, electric cigar lighters, a rear compartment clock, and dual side-mount enclosures with mirrors. It was given a restoration in the mid-1980s with further restoration work performed after T.J. Day's acquisition of it in 1992. It is finished in dark blue with blue-grey broadcloth upholstery in the rear compartment and black leather in the front.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2017