Coachwork by Fleetwood

Chassis no. 3320299

Body Style 7529

Body no. 12

140-hp, 346-cid L-head V-8 engine, three-speed manual transmission, coil spring independent front suspension, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 141.2-inches

From 1937, Series 75 V-8 Cadillacs shared chassis and bodies with the V-12 Series 80. When a new Sixteen, Series 90, was introduced in 1938, it, too, joined this exclusive club, which continued through the end of the styling cycle in 1940.

The V-8 Cadillacs received new front sheet metal for 1939. The grille, with fine-grained horizontal bars, was raked back at a gentle angle. Auxiliary grilles with vertical bars were set into the “catwalk” between hood and fenders, and headlights, formerly nestled into the catwalk, were now mounted to the nose even with the top of the grille. The Sixteens, being built in much smaller volume, continued the unique 1938 front clip through to the last car in 1940 (the Twelve had been discontinued after 1937).

There remained three convertible sedans in the 1940 Cadillac line. The 62 Series used a downmarket version of the same basic “xx29” body, but without the Fleetwood imprimatur. Of the Series 75 Style 7529, Cadillac built just 45, some of which have since given up their bodies to convert Sixteen chassis to the very rare 9029 convertible sedan, of which just two were originally built. Thus, this car, Body 12 of the original 45, delivered October 30, 1939 to the Chicago factory branch and still with its original chassis and engine, is a remarkable find.

Formerly owned by Atlanta collector Ed Weaver, this car is spectacular in every way. Unusually for a convertible sedan, it has a division partition with clock and crank-up window. Other equipment includes a pushbutton radio, fresh-air heater and directional signals. A tool kit and a chauffeur’s hat accompany the car.

Contours and paint are excellent, while the brightwork appears to be original. The blue-gray leather seating is generally good, with signs of modest use. The top is tan canvas, with a matching boot. There is some aging to the dashboard woodgrain, and some of the glass has mild edge delamination. None of this, however, detracts from the impact the car makes at first sight.