1939 Cadillac Series 90 V16 Fleetwood Formal Sedan (7 passenger)

$375,000

Massive, mighty, and defiantly magnificent--that is the 1939 Cadillac V16 Series 90. Riding a lengthy 141-inch wheelbase, this Formal Sedan tipped the scales at close to 5000 pounds of pure automotive luxury and advanced engineering.

Only 134 Series 90 cars were produced this year, divided among a dozen body styles. The Formal Sedan is one of the rarest, with just 8 produced. But these mighty machines were on the way out. The V-16 lasted only into 1940, a final relic of a more glorious era of motoring

The 39-90 Fleetwoods flaunted enclosed, sidemounted spare tires and a reaching-ahead hood ornament, the latter of which sat atop a burly barrel-shaped grille and still-separate headlamps. But the main attraction lay beneath the hood: a 431- cubic-inch V-16 engine making 185 horsepower. Like Cadillac's companion V-8, the V-16 engine featured dual carburetors, as well as separate water pumps and distributors for each cylinder bank.

The interior of the Cadillac Series 90 was stylish and functional, mirroring the grace and refinement of the exterior.

Style Number: 39-9033F
Body Number: 8
Trim Number: 4931
Paint Number: 52-6W (midnight blue)
Title: State of Maine clear title
Registration: Current State of Maine Antique Auto valid registration
Mileage: 541 miles showing on odometer since restoration. True original mileage unknown.

In 2011, the car required only light refreshening, a testament to the quality of the Hibernia restoration. The fuel pump was rebuilt and new plugs and a new battery installed.

We are currently sorting through a few minor cosmetic issues:
1. Passenger door small window crank handle is original, but needs refitting
2. Side mount mirror glass appears to be original and has some minor fogging on the glass.
3. Windshield wiper vacuum motor not working.

Summary evaluation of the exterior, interior, and mechanicals of this classic car.

The car drives beautifully--truly whispher quiet and understated elegance with its rich midnight blue and matching leather landau top. If we had to narrow it to our top three highlights, our choices would be:

1. The first-impression "wow" factor--impressive lines in a massive car are a feast for the eyes.
2. The side pockets for the intercom hand-held device (along with the speaker about the driver's left ear) and the vanity mirror.
3. The graceful hood ornament. Striking but not imposing.