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1938 Cadillac Series 90 Imperial Sedan

  • Coachwork by Fleetwood
  • Chassis Number: 5270103
Cadillac unveiled their overhead valve V16 engine in 1930 which solidified the slogan, 'The Standard of the World.' When introduced it was a marvel, but by 1938 it had become too expensive to produce and far too bulky to remain in production. So Cadillac engineers came up with a solution; they created a new flathead engine with a much lower profile based on the original V16 unit. It cost less to produce, displaced 431 cubic inches and produced 185 horsepower. It was basically a twin-eight engine with dual carburetors, manifolds, distributors, coils, fuel pumps and water pumps as well as dual oil bath air cleaners.

In 2008 it was brought to the Automobiles of Amelia presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $250,000 - $350,000. It was not surprising to see the winning bid far exceed the estimates, settling at $412,500 including the buyer's premium. It is a gorgeous car that is a top contender at nearly every event it attends.

Ninety-five customers chose the Imperial Seven-passenger sedan as their choice of body style for the V16 Cadillac. They rode on a wheelbase that measured 141.3 inches and had a three-speed column-shifted manual gearbox and duo-servo Bendix four-wheel hydraulic brakes.

This example has never been restored, just carefully maintained throughout its life. The original black paint has been touched up where needed. Chrome has been replaced in certain places. It retains its wide whitewall tires and dual side-mount spares. The interior features wood trim, tan broadcloth material in the passenger compartment, and black leather in the driver's area.

The engine was rebuilt by RM Auto Restorations.

One of Canada's wealthiest families, the Billes of Canadian Tire fame, once owned this Imperial Sedan. Subsequent owners have preserved the car's patina and kept it in mostly-original condition, a rarity as most have been restored at least once during their lifetime.

In 2008 it was brought to the Automobiles of Amelia presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $60,000 - $80,000. It was offered without reserve which worked well for the buyer who purchased this magnificent car for the sum of $46,750 including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2010

2008 Automobiles of Amelia Island, RM Auctions

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $60,000-USD $80,000 
Sale Price :
USD $46,750

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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