Replacing the Type 30, the Type 38 was a road-tourer featuring a second generation straight-eight, two-liter engine. The first inline-eights had built up a great reputation with the Type 30. As such many components remained the same including the crankshaft.

Compared to the Type 30, the Type 38 introduced a longer wheelbase and a wider track. The engine was very similar to the Type 35A unit, having a triple ball-bearing crankshaft.

A select few Type 38s received the supercharger off the four-cylinder Type 37A. These car were correspondingly called the Type 38A.

Type 38s were produced for a short period from 1926, until 1927, when they were replaced by the Type 43. A few type 38s were built after 1927, but only in limited numbers. Total production to 385 Type 38s were made, with 39 having superchargers.

engine	Inline-8
position	Front Longitudinal
aspiration	Natural
valvetrain	SOHC, 3 Valves per Cyl
fuel feed	Twin Zenith or Solex Carbs
displacement	1990 cc / 121.4 in³
bore	60 mm / 2.36 in
stroke	88 mm / 3.46 in
power	44.7 kw / 60 bhp
specific output	30.15 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	69.61 bhp per tonne
front tires	5.00×19
rear tires	5.00×19
front brakes	Drums
f brake size	mm / in
rear brakes	Drums
r brake size	mm / in
f suspension	Rigid Axle w/Elliptic Springs
r suspension	Rigid Axle w/Reversed Quarter-Elliptic Springs
curb weight	862 kg / 1900 lbs
wheelbase	3124 mm / 123.0 in
front track	1250 mm / 49.2 in
rear track	1250 mm / 49.2 in
transmission	4-Speed Manual