We are pleased to offer for sale this gorgeous 1938 Cadillac 75
Series, Fleetwood Bodied Convertible Coupe, Style 38-7567, Body
Number 20 of 44 produced, Vin No. 3271124. A complete body-on
restoration, to concours standards but intended also for touring.
The quality of the restoration is easily qualified to show at the
finest of concours events, including Pebble Beach. Importantly, of
the 44 Series 75 Cadillac convertible coupes made in 1938, this is
one of only two that were built without side mounted spares. Within
the classic car hobby, the side mount deleted cars are considered
by far the most beautiful because of the unbroken lines that make
the car look much longer and sleeker. The side mounts really
shorten the look of the front. So this is only one of two ever
made. A brief history of the car: Built in Detroit and shipped by
truck to the South Chicago Cadillac Agency where it was sold. It
did not spend a lot of time in Chicago, as the owner found a
business card in the trunk when the restoration was started from a
tailor shop near Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles with a telephone
number of WA-0691 (dates to the 1950's). Ed Gunther a long-standing
member of the Cadillac LaSalle Club remembers this car being for
sale in L.A. back in the 60's. It was sold and Ron VanGelderen
restored the car the first time and it was awarded a Senior Badge
from CCCA, #697 back in 1975. It was also the cover car for the
January 1986 issue of the Self Starter with an accompanying story
of the car. Dick Haeberle from New Jersey owned the car which was
sold in 1992. It then bounced up to New York for a while owned by
Vurdede Pomery who sold it in 2000 and the present owners purchased
it on Feb 15th, 2003 from Randy Hall of Saratoga CA. Randy had
purchased the car while he was restoring his 1938 75 Series
Convertible Sedan. The car at that point was somewhat drive-able
and in need of a total redo. Shortly after that the ten year "nut &
bolt" restoration began. Features of the car: To put it mildly this
is one massive automobile with a 141-1/2" wheelbase. All 75 (V-8's)
and 90 (V-16's) series Cadillacs in this era were on the same
chassis and almost identical custom built Fleetwood bodywork. They
were offered in many different custom built body styles, the
majority being seven passenger sedans This is one of two "non-side
mounted" 75 Series convertible coupes made in 1938. New features
for 1938 were, the gearshift was moved from the floor to the
steering column. Also new for '38 was the fact that there was no
longer a rumble seat on this model, instead there were two jump
seats behind the main seat giving this car a trunk that is almost
seven feet deep! The car is equipped with the following options:
pleated (or tufted) main seat, a working master radio with a cowl
mounted antenna, very rare script Cadillac 6" diameter amber fog
lights, a cowl mounted heater-defroster unit, full wheel discs, two
outside rearview mirrors and the correct car jack and period tool
kit. There is also an original, never used key case from the
delivering dealer! Additional features that have been added for
safety and comfort are: a Gear Vendors Overdrive unit for better
drivability (as the only rear end ratio offered was a 4.58), two
period correct Harrison under seat heaters for greater comfort
while motoring with the top down. These units became an option for
Cadillac about two years later, front seat extenders moving the
seat further back and tilting it back also giving a much more
comfortable driving position, a master dis-connect electrical
switch, a Pertornix solid state ignition system, two lap style seat
belts, 5 Michelin radial tires with the sidewalls buffed clean,
self-cancelling turn signals that are incorporated into the fog
lights and rear lights, a special tonneau cover for the entire rear
compartment in addition to the regular tonneau , The convertible
top is lined for greater comfort, a concealed period motorcycle
siren, an enameled CLC badge on the grill as well as a small
enameled Saint Christopher's badge on the dash, two flag stanchions
on the front bumper, two vinyl cases for the engine side panels
(should they be removed in very hot weather, and an electric fuel
pump to aid in starting after the car has been sitting for long
periods of time. The engine block and its internal parts are from a
1948 Cadillac (this was the engine that was in the car when we
purchased it. All other parts of the entire engine are period
correct. This practice of swapping the 346 Cu. In. engine was very
common as Cadillac made this same engine from 1936 through 1948.
The restoration was completed about two years ago and the car has
been driven about 1,690 miles. It has been shown three times
winning first place awards each time. The LaConner Classic in 2016
where it won Best in Show and last summer at the Forrest Grove
Concours in Forrest Grove Oregon where it took Best in Class and
also the Jerry Hanauska Memorial Award. During the restoration
every part of the car was gone over and brought back to original or
better than original condition. Where there were minor rust outs or
fiberglass all areas were cut out and new steel patch panels put
in. The old pieces were saved. There were no corners cut anywhere
on this car. The paint is a PPG single stage acrylic enamel for
ease of repairs. The wheels were powder coated in a similar color
of the leather interior. The outcome of the restoration was above
my expectations, it not only looks absolutely beautiful, its drives
amazing well for an eighty-year-old automobile. Bumps are hardly
noticed while driving. The choice of colors are extremely pleasing
and blend very well. Everything on the car is fully functional
including the clock and the 6-way adjustable headlights! There are
numerous photos of the car during the entire restoration. This
magnificent automobile is ready to be shown at any show through any
club, or simply driven where ever one wishes to go with complete
confidence. A complete file of receipts will accompany the car. For
more information, please call, text or email us at +1.602.245.7200
or email Harry Clark at
[email protected]. The Series 75
is available for inspection in our Phoenix showroom.
