1938 Cadillac Series 38-90 V16 Imperial Sedan
Cadillac developed an all-new sixteen-cylinder engine for 1938 despite the financial challenges of the late Depression years. The redesigned V16 featured an unusually wide 135-degree cylinder angle that allowed the flathead powerplant to sit exceptionally low in the chassis.
The rear cylinders extended beneath the cowl, enabling the 431-cubic-inch engine to occupy roughly the same space as a V8 while producing 185 horsepower and capable of reaching 100 mph.
The Imperial Sedan body style by Fleetwood offered seven-passenger capacity with formal chauffeur-driven accommodations. A roll-up division window separated the driver’s compartment from the rear passengers, who enjoyed amenities such as footrests, ashtrays, electric cigar lighters, and a clock. Dual side-mounted spare tire enclosures with mirrors flanked the long hood, emphasizing the car’s stately proportions.
Twin carburetors, twin fuel pumps, and dual eight-cylinder distributors were positioned within the wide V-angle for easier servicing. The new design saved about 250 pounds compared to the earlier overhead-valve V16 while maintaining exceptional smoothness and quietness.
Only 95 Imperial Sedans were built in 1938, making these sixteen-cylinder Cadillacs among the rarest of the marque’s prewar offerings.
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