V16 Cadillac Models & History 1938
TheCadillac Series 90 for 1938 was essentially a Series 75 with a V-16 engine. Even though the wheelbase was 330mm shorter, the bodies were equal or larger in all dimensions than previous Cadillac V-16’s. This was accomplished by fitting the nearly flat engine low in the frame and partially behind the line of the firewall. V-16’s were distinguished from the counterpart V-8’s by a coarser pitch eggcrate grille, fender lamps, and streamlined louvers on the hood side panels and all fender skirts.
1938 Cadillac Formal Sedan
The new V-16 engine was of L-head, short stroke square design, cast-en-bloc, with 135 degree Vee. With each block in running balance, the engine was basically a twin-eight. Dual accessories included carburetors, oil bath air cleaners, manifolds, distributors, coils, fuel pumps, and water pumps. The fuel pumps were interconnected so that either one could supply both carburetors if needed. Only the left hand distributor contained breaker arms; the two arms being electrically independent but operated by a single eight-lobe cam. The right hand unit acted only to distribute the high tension voltage to the spark plugs in the right bank. A cross pipe connected both exhaust manifolds and fed into a single down-pipe at the left. The generator was placed low in the Vee and was driven by an internal rubber ring in the fan hub acting on a driven wheel on the generator shaft. This arrangement allowed for fan speeds less than engine speed and generator speeds nearly twice engine speed – it lasted only one year.
I. D. DATA
- Serial numbers were on frame side bar, just ahead of the steering gear.
- Starting: Same as engine number.
- Ending: Same as engine number.
- Engine numbers were on upper rear left hand corner of left cylinder block, parallel with cylinder head.
- Starting Engine Number: 5270001.
- Ending: 5270315.
STYLE
| Fleetwood Series 39-96 141 in. Wheelbase | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Style Number | Style | Seating | Price | Weight | Production |
| 38-9019 | Sedan | 5 | $5135 | 2320 kg | 43 |
| 38-9019-F | Imperial Sedan | 5 | $5215 | 2348 kg | 5 |
| 38-9023 | Sedan | 7 | $5265 | 2357 kg | 65 |
| 38-9029 | Convertible Sedan | 5 | $6000 | 2432 kg | 13 |
| 38-9033 | Imperial Sedan | 7 | $5420 | 2430 kg | 95 |
| 38-9033-F | Formal Sedan | 7 | $6050 | 2430 kg | 17 |
| 38-9039 | Town Sedan | 5 | $5695 | 2336 kg | 20 |
| 38-9053 | Town Car | 7 | $7170 | 2461 kg | 11 |
| 38-9057 | Coupe | 2 | $5335 | 2234 kg | 11 |
| 38-9057-B | Coupe | 5 | $5440 | 2280 kg | 8 |
| 38-9059 | Formal Sedan | 5 | $6050 | 2320 kg | 8 |
| 38-9067 | Convertible Coupe | 2 | $5440 | 2230 kg | 10 |
| 38-9006 | Presidential, 161″ wheelbase | 2 | |||
| 38-90 | Chassis | 3 | |||
ENGINE
| Type | 135 degree Vee |
| Valves | L-Head |
| Cylinders | Sixteen Cylinders |
| Block | Cast iron block |
| Bore & Stroke | 79.4mm x 79.4mm |
| Displacement | 6.287 Liters (see note) |
| Compression Ratio | 7:1 |
| Brake Horsepower | 185 hp @ 3600 rpm |
| Power | 138 kW @ 3600 rpm |
| SAE/Taxable Horsepower | 67.6 |
| Main bearings | Nine |
| Valve lifters | Hydraulic |
| Carburetor | Carter WDO 407s(L) – 408s(R) |
Note: Most literature says the displacement is “431 cu. in.” (i.e., 7.062 Liters), but in calculating the bore and stroke for 16 cylinders results in 384 cu. in. (6.287 Liters)
CHASSIS
| Wheelbase | 3588mm |
| Overall length | 5096mm |
| Front Tread | 1537mm |
| Rear Tread | 1588mm |
| Tires | 7.50 x 16 |
DRIVETRAIN
| Transmission | Selective synchro manual transmission. |
| Speeds | 3 Forward, 1 Reverse |
| Controls | Left Hand Drive; Gearshift on column; handbrake at left |
| Clutch | Single disc clutch. |
| Drive | Shaft drive, Hotchkiss. |
| Axle | Semifloating rear axle. |
| Gears | Hypoid gears. |
| Overall Ratio | 4.31:1. |
| Brakes | Hydraulic brakes on four wheels. |
| Wheels | Disc wheels. |
| Wheel size | 16 in. |
OPTIONS
| Radio | $95.00 |
| Heater | $26.50-42.50 |
| Seat covers | $7.50 per seat |
| Spotlight | $18.50 |
| Automatic battery filler | $7.50 |
| Flexible steering wheel | $15.00 |
| Fog lights | $17.50 pair |
Keyword: V16 Cadillac History 1938