Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 14
1940 Cadillac Series 40-90 Model 9029 Five-Passenger Convertible Sedan Coachwork by Fleetwood Engine no. 5320050
Sold for US$100,800 inc. premium
Lot 14
From the Estate of Andrew W. Edmonds
1940 Cadillac Series 40-90 Model 9029 Five-Passenger Convertible Sedan
1940 Cadillac Series 40-90 Model 9029 Five-Passenger Convertible Sedan
Audrain Concours Auction|29 September 2023, 16:00 EDT|Newport, Rhode Island, International Tennis Hall of Fame
1940 Cadillac Series 40-90 Model 9029 Five-Passenger Convertible Sedan
Coachwork by Fleetwood
Engine no. 5320050
Coachwork by Fleetwood
Engine no. 5320050
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 only two Convertible Sedans built in 1940
*Number 50 of the total of 61 units constructed in 1940
*In the collection since 1989
*Used and displayed at Concours around the country
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. Successive years saw only modest styling additions such as in this swansong final year of 1940 when the dashboard was revised with a new instrument panel, and taillights and bumpers were updated and sealed beam headlights arrived.
THE CAR OFFERED
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. But there were alternatives, sparsely built though they were. This is one of just 2 of their model 9029 body style, a Five Passenger Convertible Sedan by Fleetwood.
Rare it may have been, and although the model was clearly on its way out, its customer knew exactly how they wanted their car as the build sheet for this particular Cadillac is more detailed than most. The original selling agent was Brogan Cadillac LaSalle of Paterson, NJ and the V16 was to be finished in Patillo Maroon externally, while the interior is listed as "Under Seat Heater; Trim – code 63 with 2-inch pleats on seat cushions and seat backs with plain bolster roll on front portion of seat cushions & top of seat backs in BB&L Imp. Antique 6103; Top piped in red leather to match BB&L 6103; Front seat to be 1" lower than standard; brown rubber mats front and rear compartments". The total purchase price was $4,338.17 and delivery was made with shipment on March 21, 1940.
Known subsequent ownership begins in the 1970s, when the car was the property of Braathen Odd Clement of Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was from Clement that Mr. Edmonds purchased the car a dozen years later in 1989. An extensive file of invoices within this ownership comprise work carried out and maintenance by the preferred help of Harbor Auto Restoration of Pompano Beach, Florida, while active use included display at the 1997 Amelia Island and 2004 Hilton Head Concours d'Elegances.
A rara avis, this majestic V16 bookends the Edmonds collection of pre-war Cadillacs perfectly and offers its next custodian the chance to enjoy events such as those of the Classic Car Club of America in the most stylish and practical way.
Additional information
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