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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
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 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 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
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2018 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT DEMON Chassis#:2C3CDZH98JH101829 Sold for $132,000 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
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2024 CHEVROLET CAMARO ZL1 COLLECTORS EDITION CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:1G1FK3D63R0112477 Sold for $132,000 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 Conversion Van Chassis#:w1y4ncvy1pt126116 Sold for $132,000 2024 Mecum : Houston | |
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A Chassis#:jh23j0b305401 Sold for $132,000 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
2023 Dodge Charger King Daytona Chassis#:2c3cdxl91ph597769 Sold for $132,000 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1970 Dodge Charger Custom Chassis#:xh29n0c179179 Sold for $132,000 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1978 Chevrolet K30 Pickup Chassis#:ckl348z173914 Sold for $132,000 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1993 BMW 850 CSI Chassis#:WBSEG91000CC00522 Sold for $131,133 2024 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
1958 BMW 503 Serie II coupé Chassis#:69318 Sold for $131,196 2024 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde a Paris | |
2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio 'Alfa Romeo Racing Edition' Chassis#:ZAREAEEV2L7629393 Sold for $131,079 2024 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
1989 Ferrari 328 GTB Chassis#:ZFFCA19S000078947 Sold for $131,079 2024 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
1970 CHEVROLET K5 BLAZER CUSTOM SUV Chassis#:KE180S167890 Sold for $132,000 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO RS/SS CUSTOM COUPE Chassis#:124377N127192 Sold for $132,000 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1965 BUICK RIVIERA GRAN SPORT Chassis#:494475H932253 Sold for $132,000 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO SS 396 L78 Chassis#:124379N531335 Sold for $132,000 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ |
1938 Cadillac Series 90
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