LOT 472

1938 Cadillac Series 38-90 7-Passenger Imperial Limousine Coachwork by Fleetwood Engine no. 5270120

Sold for US$54,880 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 472

1938 Cadillac Series 38-90 7-Passenger Imperial Limousine
Coachwork by Fleetwood

The Tupelo Automobile Museum Auction|27 April 2019, 10:00 CDT|The Tupelo Automobile Museum

1938 Cadillac Series 38-90 7-Passenger Imperial Limousine
Coachwork by Fleetwood
Engine no. 5270120

431ci L-Head V-16 Engine
Dual Downdraft Carburetor
185bhp at 3,800rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission
4-Wheel Hydraulic Brakes
Independent Front Suspension - Live Rear Axle

*One of 95 built in 1938
*Comprehensive frame off restoration
*Nicely preserved machine

THE CADILLAC SERIES 90

Between 1930 and 1937 Cadillac built a steadily decreasing number of its first series 452 V-16 ending with 61 in 1940. Cadillac was mired in losses. General Motors seriously considered closing it. But for 1938 Cadillac announced a new V-16. Why did Cadillac develop, tool and produce an entirely new V-16 in 1938? The answer to that is still debated, but without debate is the fact that it was a genuinely fresh and thoughtful design.

The new V-16 was of cast iron construction with compact cylinders with "square" dimensions of 3¼ inches bore and stroke, 431 cubic inches. Its unique cylinder arrangement had a 135º v-angle. For simplicity and ease of servicing it employed side valves. Manifolds and dual carburetors within the wide-v and a pair of eight-cylinder distributors likewise were easy to service. It was 115 pounds lighter than the V-12 and 250 pounds lighter than the 452 V-16. By placing the back cylinders behind the firewall line under the toe board, it fit in the place of the V-8 in the 141-inch wheelbase chassis.

It was triumph of imaginative engineering and production design, delivering 185 brake horsepower and powering the Cadillac 38-90 to honest 100 mph top speeds in almost imperceptible silence and smoothness.

During its three years in production Cadillac built just 514 second generation V-16s and not surprisingly most of them were large sedans intended to be chauffeur driven, like this example with body style 38-9033, the 7-passenger Imperial Sedan by Fleetwood.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

One of 95 built in 1938, it is equipped with a rollup division window, rear compartment footrest, ash trays, electric cigar lighters, a rear compartment clock, twin rear jump seats and dual side-mount enclosures with mirrors. Purchased by at auction in Atlanta on April 29, 1988 for nearly $100,000, the car is beautifully preserved and very original. The 11,283 miles indicated on the Art Deco odometer is understood to be from new.

Additional information

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