@Matt Harwood

1938 Cadillac V16 7P Touring Sedan BARN FIND SOLD

Matt Harwood · 2012-12-14T16:23:28.000Z

*SOLD* Thank you!I'm not prone to getting caught up in the hype around so-called barn finds, but I don't know what else to call this one. Out of circulation for more than 40 years, it has been in dry, protected storage all that time and as far as I can tell, the only piece missing is the horn button. Style number 38-9023, 7-passenger touring sedan, of which 65 were built and 8 are known to exist (this would make 9).The body is completely solid with no rust-through in any of the bodywork or chassis, although there's scale underneath and some surface rust on the body as you'd expect. The doors still open and close like the proverbial bank vault, the hood fits flush, and the original dark blue paint is still stuck to the bodywork quite well. All the chrome pieces, including the special V16 fender streaks, are intact and in decent condition, although everything will need plating, but none of the pieces are broken, cracked, or missing. Glass is good with only two side windows with cracks and surprisingly little delamination. Lenses intact on everything from taillights to parking lights to fog lamps.The interior was tan broadcloth and it's shot, but it's complete and could be easily used for patterns. Twin full-sized jump seats. All hardware, handles, knobs, interior lights, and garnish moldings present and in good condition. Steering wheel is deteriorated and wrapped in electrical tape, and the horn button is missing. Gauges all present, but no way to know if they work. The only notable damage on the entire car is the center grille on the dash, which has been damaged somehow.The original 431 cubic inch flathead V16 remains intact and turns by hand with some effort. First year for the revised flathead V16 engine, which was both lighter and more powerful than the OHV version it replaced. Completely intact from air cleaners atop the original Carter carburetors to the original coils and wiring. Generator, water pump, radiator, etc. all in place and not deteriorated. Chassis has surface rust but nothing structural, and yes, that missing tire is included--the owner removed it and took it to the local tire store to have it patched so it would hold air so the car could be moved. Rolls and steers, but obviously does not run.A remarkably complete and shockingly solid car, I'm sure you can see the potential here as well as I can. Not a cheap restoration, but not a difficult one, either, as everything is there and it needs no major surgery. Or, perhaps you freshen the interior, get it running, and just enjoy V16 luxury on a budget.A very big car with a ton of potential for the right restorer. Don't tell me you aren't trying to figure out a way to take this one home, I know I did...PS: Ignore the car next to it, it's not for sale.