1938 Cadillac V-16 For Sale in Rogers, Minnesota, 2146377800 Tweet

This 1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 7 Passenger Sedan is an impressive CCCA Full Classic that is ready to be enjoyed on your future CARavan! Initially introduced during the 1930 model year, the Cadillac V-16 was an incredible display of Cadillac engineering as well as an epic statement for the few that owned them. Of course, the V-16 could not have debuted at a worse time with the United States and global economies plunging into the worst financial crisis ever during the Great Depression. As the decade progressed, Cadillac continued to offer its V-16 models but they were not as big of a success for the GM marque as they had hoped for. By 1938, virtually all of Cadillacs luxury counterparts, including Duesenberg, Cord, Marmon, Auburn, and Pierce-Arrow, had failed due to the financial conditions of the Great Depression which greatly affected the high-end luxury automobile market. The two surviving American luxury marques that were able to survive were Cadillac and Packard. Unlike Cadillac, Packard introduced lower-cost cars during the Depression years that were able to bolster the independent automakers sales during the downturn. On the other hand, Cadillac continued to selling its ultra luxurious (and expensive) automobiles and likely picked up an even bigger market share as the competition failed, or in the case of Packard, exited or at least placed a greater focus outside the highest end of the market. While it was clear that consumer tastes were shifting away from massive luxury cruisers by the late 30s, Cadillac surprised everyone when it introduced a brand new Series 90 V-16 in October 1937 at the New York Automobile Show. Cadillacs intention with its new V16 design was to create an even roomier passenger cabin and also to lower the cars overall profile and center of gravity. Cadillacs Series 90 came in 12 different Fleetwood-built semi-custom bodies ranging from coupes to large 4-door limousine-esque boulevard cruisers. The 1938 Series 90 V-16 models also received a major facelift from now-famous automotive designer Bill Mitchell. The most obvious changes occurred in the front profile highlighted by a new chrome grille design featuring die cast egg crate styling. Mitchell also reworked the front fenders giving them a squarer silhouette. The new-look front fenders straddled a new, rear-hinged hood with a brand new tapered appearance and marking the first time that Cadillacs hoods opened in the front. Despite the implementation of a brand new, revolutionary design Cadillacs V-16 line still did not generate tremendously more sales with a total of 315 V-16 models produced in 1938 making this particular Series 90 sedan quite a rare automobile. Nonetheless, due to its gorgeous style and impressive design, the 1938 Cadillac V-16 Series 90 has been deemed a Full Classic by the Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) which makes this car eligible for CCCA CARavans and other events. This particular V-16 Cadillac comes to us from a southern-based collector who stewarded this engineering and styling marvel for the better part of the last decade. Powering this 38 Cadillac is a 431 Cubic Inch V-16 engine fed by a pair of Carter dual barrel carburetors that together were said to have created 185 horsepower when new. The 431 V16 is backed by a 3 speed manual transmission that is shifted using the column-mounted 3-on-the-tree shifter. Exhaust exits this massive Cadillacs power plant via a single exhaust system that generates a wonderful sound out of the chrome-tipped tailpipe. Being that Cadillac, and especially its Series 90 V-16 models, were some of the most luxurious cars of their day, they come loaded with fantastic options and technologically advanced standard equipment! Riding on a set of wide whitewall tires, each accented with a full V-16 trimmed wheel disc, this 1938 V-16 Cadillac has a truly luxurious look, whether parked in your garage or driving to the local CCCA car show. This 1938 Cadillac Series 90