1938-1940 Cadillac Series 90 Sixteen

The 1938-1940 Cadillac Series 90 Sixteen and overall Sixteen production was never more than a few hundred per year after 1933. Both the V-12 and original V-16 engines were dropped after 1937, but Cadillac offered a new L-head V-16 for three more model years.

1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 limousine. See more pictures of Cadillac cars.

At 431 cid and 185 bhp, the 1938-1940 Cadillac Series 90 Sixteen powerplant was smaller and lighter, but more powerful than the earlier jewel-like engine. However, it's never received collector acclaim. The advent of precision-insert con rod bearings helped eliminate the traditional knock and engine wear of eights and sixes, which had occasioned multi-cylinder engines.

Cadillac found it uneconomical to continue this Sixteen past 1940, even though it shared its wheelbase and many body styles with the Series Seventy-Five. Few open models were built, most being Imperial and formal sedans.

Pluses of the 1938 Cadillac Series 90 Sixteen:

• Despite lesser reputation, flathead V-16 was smooth and near silent
• All models have full Classic status
• Luxury, refinement
• Good roadability
• A bit easier to acquire than pre-1938 models

Minuses of the 1938 Cadillac Series 90 Sixteen:

• Still very expensive
• Extremely hard to find
• Colossal restoration costs

Production of the 1938 Cadillac Series 90 Sixteen:
311

Production of the 1939 Cadillac Series 90 Sixteen:
136

Production of the 1940 Cadillac Series 90 Sixteen:
61

Specifications of the 1938-1940 Cadillac Series 90 Sixteen:
Length, inches: NA
Wheelbase, inches: 141.3
Weight, pounds: 4,830-5,330
Price, new: $5,140-$7,175 (U.S.)

Engines for the 1938-1940 Cadillac Series 90 Sixteen:

Type	Size	Horsepower	Years
sv V-16	431.0 cid	185	1938-1940

Want more information about classic cars? See:

• Classic Cars
• Cadillac Cars
• Muscle Cars
• Sports Cars
• Consumer Guide Auto
• Consumer Guide Auto Used Car Search