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In 1938, Cadillac dramatically changed the body and
engine designs of its V-16 models. Body styles
became more streamlined with an Art Modernaire
motif, the style of the era. The 1938 Cadillac was
designed by a team led by Bill Mitchell, under the
guidance of Harley Earl. The body and chassis of the
1938 Cadillac, unlike its predecessor models was
entirely constructed of steel. Since 1930 the V-16
engine had overhead valves with cylinder blocks
splayed at 45º. Beginning in 1939, the engine was of
a flat head design with the cylinder blocks splayed
at 135º. The newly designed V-16 had 1,627 parts
compared to 3,273 in the prior model, and weighed
250 pounds less. The massive V-16 engines were for
all intents and purposes the equivalent of two V-8
engines connected in tandem. The engines were
equipped with duel carburetors, oil bath air
cleaners, distributors, manifolds, coils and fuel
pumps. The two banks of 8 cylinders shared a crank
case. The new V-16 did not need the polished
surfaces of its predecessor as it was well hidden in
the engine compartment.
The 1938 vehicle on display has a 141” wheel base
making it one of the longest convertible coupes ever
produced. V-16 production for 1938 yielded only 311
vehicles of which only 10 were convertible coupes.
During the three years that this body style was
produced, (1938, 1939, 1940) only 498 V-16 Cadillacs
were manufactured of which only 19 were convertible
coupes. List price of a 1938 Cadillac model 9067 was
$5,440.00.
A pair of jump seats in the rear compartment is a
feature that was unique to the 1938 V-16 Convertible
Coupe. The interior of this car was “SO” or special
order, hence the pleated leather seat covers.
The 1938 Cadillac Series 90 is certified by the
Classic Car Club of America. |
