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1938 Cadillac Series 90 Convertible Coupe

  • Coachwork by Fleetwood
  • Chassis Number: 5270289
  • Engine Number: 5270289
Cadillac introduced an entirely new V16 in 1938. Despite being downsized to 431ci (7,066cc) and losing its overhead valves in favor of a 'flat head' configuration, the new short-stroke 135-degree motor was lighter and more powerful than its predecessor. Clever installation of this flatter engine enabled Cadillac to reduce the wheelbase length by 13 inches while retaining the roominess of the prior bodies.

The V16 model would be dropped at the end of the 1940 model year, by which time just 515 examples had been built.

This example was ordered new through the Scotts Smith Cadillac Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When new, it wore an Imperial Limousine body.

In 1952, it was acquired by Mr. James Kiser of Wisconsin; he and his family would retain the car for over half a century. The car retains its original engine and transmission, along with its optional radio and aerial specified on the build sheet - the Limousine body was removed and an exacting restoration was done with a Convertible Coupe body from a Series 75. The Series 75 body, which was virtually identical to the Series 90 body, was fitted in the 1980s by Russell Jackson.

This Cadillac is finished in Italian Cream over red leather.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2017

2018 Mecum : Los Angeles

High Bid (Lot was not sold)
USD $200,000

2017 Bonhams : Quail Lodge

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $275,000-USD $325,000 
Lot was not sold

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 image  1938 Cadillac Series 90 image  
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 image  1938 Cadillac Series 90 image  
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 Series 90 image  
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 Series 90 image  1938 Cadillac Series 90 image  
1938 CADILLAC V16 SERIES 90
Chassis#: 5270127
Sold for USD$60,500
  2018 Barrett-Jackson : Northeast
1938 Cadillac Series 90 image  
1938 Cadillac V-16 Town Sedan
Chassis#: 5270283
Sold for USD$71,500
  2018 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale
1938 Cadillac Series 90 image  1938 Cadillac Series 90 image  
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 Series 90 image  1938 Cadillac Series 90 image  
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 Series 90 image  1938 Cadillac Series 90 image  
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
1938 Cadillac Series 90 image  

Cadillac Series 90s That Failed To Sell At Auction

1938 Cadillac Series 90's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1938 Cadillac Series 90 Limousine 2022 Mecum : Glendale$75,000  
1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-1652702892018 Mecum : Los Angeles$200,000  
1938 CADILLAC V-16 CONVERTIBLE SEDAN52702042017 Dragone Lime Rock Park $85,000$10,000
1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 Convertible Coupe52702892017 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 Limousine52702582014 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 Limousine52700752010 RM Auctions Automobiles of Amelia Island$185,000$400,000$600,000

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1938 Cadillac Series 90

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