1937 Cadillac Series 90 V16 Aero-Dynamic Coupe Vehicle Profile

In 1937, Cadillac was in the last year of production of its legendary first generation 45-degree V-16 motor. (A new 135-degree Sixteen was slated for the start of the 1938 model year.) The first generation V-16 is widely regarded as the quintessential multi-cylinder automotive engine of the era; with its imposing size, polished lacquer and plated accents, the look reached the same high level as the performance.

In 1937, Cadillac built only two convertible coupes on the sixteen-cylinder chassis, type 37-90.

The V-16 was a large and expensive car with the size and comfort of a sedan but capable of open air touring. The $7,950 price tag of this convertible sedan commanded a $2,500 premium over the best V-12 Caddy. Given their price and grandeur, the huge, 154-inch wheelbase V-16's were best suited for titans of industry or heads of state.

The small passenger cabin of this rare V-16 serves to accentuate the total length of this very rare 1937 example. With a fairly light body type, the unique performance features of the 452 cubic-inch engine are magnified. Period press recorded a V-16 idling along in top gear at 2 mph, then quietly rolling away to much higher speeds, such was the torque reserve.