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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
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
2017 Bonhams : Quail Lodge
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $80,000-USD $130,000
Sale Price :
USD $82,500
1938 Cadillac Series 90 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Cadillac Series 90
(Data based on Model Year 1938 sales)
1938 CADILLAC SERIES 90 V-16 CONVERTIBLE SEDAN Sold for USD$179,200 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 Fleetwood Town Sedan Chassis#: 5270052 Sold for USD$100,800 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | |
1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 Seven-Passenger Sedan Chassis#: 7271119 Sold for USD$74,000 2019 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Corpus Christi Old Car Museum Auction | |
1938 Cadillac Series 38-90 7-Passenger Imperial Limousine Sold for USD$54,880 2019 Bonhams : Tupelo Auction | |
1938 Cadillac Series 90 5-Passenger Sedan Chassis#: 5270127 Sold for USD$41,440 2019 Bonhams : Amelia Island | |
1938 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Sedan by Fleetwood Chassis#: 5270060 Sold for USD$176,000 2018 RM Sothebys : Hershey | |
1938 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Coupe Conversion Chassis#: 5270136 Sold for USD$189,750 2018 RM Sothebys : Hershey | |
1938 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Coupe by Fleetwood Sold for USD$200,000 2018 RM Auctions : Auburn Fall | |
1938 CADILLAC V16 SERIES 90 Chassis#: 5270127 Sold for USD$60,500 2018 Barrett-Jackson : Northeast | |
1938 Cadillac V-16 Town Sedan Chassis#: 5270283 Sold for USD$71,500 2018 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale | |
1938 CADILLAC V-16 CONVERTIBLE SEDAN Chassis#: 5270060 Sold for USD$70,400 2017 Dragone Lime Rock Park | |
1938 Cadillac 38-90 V-16 Imperial Sedan Coachwork by Fleetwood Chassis#: 5270245 Sold for USD$82,500 2017 Bonhams : Quail Lodge | |
1938 CADILLAC V-16 Sold for USD$48,000 2017 Leake Auction - Dallas | |
1938 Cadillac Series 90 Fleetwood Convertible Sold for USD$32,000 2017 Mecum : Houston | |
1938 CADILLAC SERIES 90 V16 CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: 5270045 Sold for USD$121,000 2017 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale | |
1938 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Coupe by Fleetwood Sold for USD$325,000 2016 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1938 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Coupe Chassis#: 5270060 Sold for USD$291,500 2015 Dragone Auction - Fall | |
1938 Cadillac V-16 Series 90 Fleetwood Limousine Chassis#: 5270227 Sold for USD$46,750 2015 Motostalgia Auction - Indianapolis Brickyard | |
1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 Fleetwood Seven-Passenger Touring Sedan Sold for USD$46,200 2015 Auctions America - Auburn Spring | |
1938 CADILLAC V16 SEDAN Chassis#: 5270127 Sold for USD$52,800 2014 Barrett-Jackson's 43RD Annual Scottsdale Auction |
Cadillac Series 90s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1938 Cadillac Series 90's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1938 Cadillac Series 90 Limousine | 2022 Mecum : Glendale | $75,000 | |||
1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 | 5270289 | 2018 Mecum : Los Angeles | $200,000 | ||
1938 CADILLAC V-16 CONVERTIBLE SEDAN | 5270204 | 2017 Dragone Lime Rock Park | $85,000 | $10,000 | |
1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 Convertible Coupe | 5270289 | 2017 Bonhams : Quail Lodge | $275,000 | $325,000 | |
1938 Cadillac V16 Series 38-90 Convertible Coupe (LHD) | 2017 Shannons Sydney Autumn Classic | ||||
1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 Convertible | 2017 Mecum : Indianapolis | $260,000 | |||
1938 Cadillac V16 Series 38-90 Convertible Coupe (LHD) | 2017 Shannons Melbourne Autumn Classic | ||||
1938 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Coupe by Fleetwood | 2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island | $325,000 | $375,000 | ||
1938 Cadillac V16 Convertible | 2015 Hollywood Motors : Amelia Island Select | ||||
1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 Limousine | 5270258 | 2014 The 7th Annual Auburn Auction | $70,000 | $90,000 | |
1938 Cadillac Series 9 | 2014 Mecum Kissimmee | $40,000 | |||
1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 Sedan | 2013 Auctions America Auburn Fall | $43,000 | |||
1938 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood Restomod Sedan | 2013 Auctions America Auburn Fall | $22,500 | |||
1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 Seven-Passenger Sedan | 2013 Auctions America Auburn Fall | $50,000 | |||
1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 Fleetwood Formal Sedan | 2013 Auctions America Auburn Fall | $41,000 | |||
1938 Cadillac Series 38-90 9019 5-Passenger Sedan | 2013 Leake Car Auctions Tulsa Ok | $49,000 | |||
1938 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Coupe | 2013 Auctions America Auburn Spring | $275,000 | |||
1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 Fleetwood 7-Passenger Sedan | 2013 Auctions America Ft Lauderdale | $50,000 | |||
1938 Cadillac V-16 Sedan | 2012 Auctions America Auburn Fall | $50,000 | |||
1938 Cadillac V16 Presidential Convertible Parade Limousine | 5270075 | 2010 RM Auctions Automobiles of Amelia Island | $185,000 | $400,000 | $600,000 |
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1938 Cadillac Series 90
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