The year 1938 can be considered a milestone one for Cadillac, as it introduced the revolutionary Sixty Special Sedan and, to the shock of the industry, a totally new V-16 model. The Sixty Special influenced the look of General Motors cars, as well as those of its competitors, for years to come, even as the exclusive and very limited-production V-16 departed after the 1940 model year.

The V-8 cars featured distinctive grille designs: One for the Series 60 and one shared by the larger Series 65 and 75 models. While the Series 60 used thin horizontal grille bars that extended around the sides of the squared-off nose, the Series 65 and 75 cars had tall, vertical, die-cast egg-crate grilles. Inside, the gearshift lever on all models was relocated from the floor to the steering column. The Cadillac name appeared on all models in large, bold script on both the front and rear bumpers. Most other changes were detail items, such as the repositioning of the horns just behind the grille. New features included a “Synchro-Flex” flywheel, the use of a hypoid rear axle, and a bump in compression ratio on the V-8 engine to 6.70:1.

According to The Classic Car by Beverly Rae Kimes, this 1938 Cadillac Series 75 Five-Passenger Imperial Sedan was the last of 34 built for the model year, and delivered new to Clinton Barnum Seeley of Bridgeport, Connecticut, the grandson of politician and businessman P.T. Barnum.

The Cadillac has been under the care of just a single owner since the late 1980s. Today, the car shows in wonderful condition, with a stately black exterior that features dual side-mounted spares with metal caps, whitewall tires, and a pair of side mirrors. The interior is a delight of late 1930s luxury, with the chauffeur cabin trimmed in tufted leather upholstery and joined by a clock, radio, and banjo steering wheel. The rear passenger compartment is separated with a glass partition and the seats are covered in soft gray cloth. Throughout the interior spaces, decorative wood moldings with Art Deco-style inlays mirror the designs found on the door cards. The summation of these elements is truly a wonderful representation of early 20th Century luxury.

A limousine that can be enjoyed behind the wheel as much as riding in the back, this 1938 Cadillac Series 75 is a rare and desirable example with outstanding provenance that will surely be welcome on showfields and tours from coast to coast.