1938 Cadillac Series 75 Imperial Sedan

Cadillac introduced its Sixty Special Sedan in 1938, along with a totally new V-16 model. The V-16 departed after the 1940 model year, but the design of the Sixty Special would influence General Motors automobiles for years to come.

Styling elements of the Series 75 included a tall, vertical, die-cast egg-crate grille, a gearshift lever located on the steering column (previously on the floor), and the Cadillac name in large script on the front and rear bumpers. New features included a hypoid rear axle and a 'Synchro-Flex' flywheel.

This Cadillac Series 75 is one of 34 with the Five-Passenger Imperial Sedan coachwork for 1938. It was delivered new to Clinton Barnum Seeley of Bridgeport, Connecticut, the grandson of politician and businessman P.T. Barnum. Since the late 1980s, this Cadillac has been in the care of a single owner.

This Cadillac has dual side-mounted spares with metal caps, whitewall tires, and a pair of side mirrors. The chauffeur cabin is trimmed in tufted leather upholstery, and accoutrements included a banjo steering wheel, a clock, and radio. The rear passenger compartment is separated with a glass partition and the seats are covered in soft gray cloth.

This Cadillac was offered for sale at auction in 2024, with all the proceeds from the sale going to the James and Sherry Raisbeck Foundation.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2025