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 1950s). Ed Gunther a long-standing
member of the Cadillac LaSalle Club remembers this car being for
sale in L.A. back in the 60s. 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
Burdette Pomeroy 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-8s) and 90 (V-16s) 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 Christophers 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, it 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 and details, please
call or text Harry Clark at 1.602.245.7200 or email us at
[email protected]. This 1938 Cadillac Series 75
Convertible Coupe is available for inspection at our Phoenix
showroom. We are pleased to offer FaceTime or WhatsApp live video
inspections and we help coordinate shipping worldwide. We also have
financing partners if you are interested in financing.