1936 Cadillac Series 90 Convertible Coupe

Cadillac's chief engineer, Owen Nacker, was responsible for the ground-breaking V-16 engine that kept the company at the top of the luxury car market between 1930 and 1940. The 16-cylinder engine was first shown at the Detroit Opera House in January 1930, prior to the Detroit Auto Show. Cadillac general manager Lawrence Fisher and GM stylist Harley Earl were responsible for the V-16 Series 90 styling, and most of the cars were bodied by Fleetwood in Pennsylvania, which was later purchased and moved to Michigan by GM to keep the coachwork business in-house. Customers could choose from 70 different styles, all highly individualized in detail. A total of 4,076 V-16s were constructed in several series with minor upgrades separating each one.

The 1936 Cadillac V-16 (Series 36-90) was a continuation of the 1935 cars. Built to order only, nearly half of the fifty-two units were seven-passenger limousines. As with V-8 and V-12 lines, Fleetwood bodies for the V-16 used the all-steel Turret Top and all body styles had V windshields. A minor mechanical change involved the use of the 'Peak-load' generator. The rumble seat is special in that the original Fleetwood design comprised two Opera-type (auxiliary seats) facing sideways and were concealed in side walls when not in use. This car had a special notation on the build sheet to eliminate the two inside opera seats and install a rumble seat. Another special order was for dual side mounts with painted wheel covers ordered in body color of Thessalon Green with a Silver Goddess. It has a 16-cylinder, 45-degree overhead drive 452 cubic-inch engine producing 185 bhp at 3,800 rpm.

In 1936, just two of these Series 90 Convertible Coupes were specially ordered with dual side mounts and painted wheel covers. This car was also delivered with a rumble seat in the rear. Fresh out of a restoration, it has been brought back to its original colors.

The Cadillac V16 is considered one of the finest automobiles of the pre-war era, though Cadillac lost money on each one sold!