1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 Touring Sedan
- Body number 15, of only 43 produced.
- Oldest surviving body number with a matching numbers motor.
- Build sheet correct.
- The only one fitted with a custom bar in the back seat.
Excellent ownership history , ready to tour
Watch a video of this car running and driving:
Body Number 15
Body Style number 9019
Chassis and engine number 5270087
By 1938 the end was in site for the mighty V16, for 1938 ONLY 308 V16 were produced, with only 43 of those being the touring sedan as presented here, and this is the ONLY ONE produced with the custom bar in the back of the front seat. This art deco masterpiece, is documented in the survivor list, and has a matching number engine and chassis. It is also the earliest survivor, of the production known to still be equipped with the original matching numbers engine.
Ownership history
Originally delivered to Tabor Cadillac in Hartford, CT
In 2003 it resided in Florida under the care of Jerry Wilhelm, of Vero Beach
The car passed into the hands of another aficionado, Donald Sabourin, in 2004 of MI
For 1938 the V16 had a complete redesign under the hood. It was powered by a 431 Cubic inch L-Head V16, mounted lower in the car to provide a better center of gravity. The design was basically a twin 8 cylinder motor, with 2 separate distributors for each bank, dual downdraft carburetors, and even dual water pumps. From a driving and touring standpoint, these cars are excellent tour cars, very easy to drive, with excellent hydraulic brakes, and a smooth powerful motor. The car offered here has been used and driven regularly, and has just been serviced and is ready to enjoy. The engine is very well detailed and correct down to the factory original individual float bowls in the lines to each carburetor.
Only 43 Touring sedans were built by Fleetwood, and this is the Only model 9019 five passenger with built-in bar. The touring sedan offers miles of leg room in the rear compartment and makes it ideal for touring events.
Judging by the condition and originality of the car, I would imagine that the restoration took place in the 1990’s, and still shows very well. The car is done in all the correct materials, finished in black with a correct grey wool interior and wool carpets, as the original car would have been.
A rare and useable example of the end of the art deco era, powered by an engine that made Cadillac the “Standard of the World”
