1930 LaSalle Model 340 Rumbleseat Convertible

The LaSalle marque was launched in 1927 to fill the price gap in General Motors' product portfolio. It was a companion brand to Cadillac with similar size and scale but priced at a lower point. The styling largely mirrored that of Cadillac, but its performance was improved thanks to the smaller chassis (134-inch wheelbase - six inches shorter than Cadillac's). Production of the LaSalle continued through 1940.

The 1930 LaSalle was offered with six bodies produced by Fleetwood and seven by Fisher. The 340 cubic-inch V8 engine was rated at 90 horsepower.

This 1930 LaSalle was ordered by Mr. Ron Pulitzer, who selected a gray exterior with a black top and fenders. The leather interior was an uncommon color of Borgia Wine. This Marmon left the factory with wire wheels and two fender-mounted spares and shipped to Brooklyn, New York, on February 21, 1930.

After World War II, the Marmon was re-discovered in an Ohio field. A Mr. Brian Coffee is believed to have acquired the Convertible Coupe and partially disassembled the bodywork for restoration. After two decades of ownership, little progress had been made; Mr. Coffee sold the LaSalle to the current caretaker in January 2018. A comprehensive restoration soon commenced, with its body stripped to bare metal before being repainted in its color scheme of cream and black. The top was reconstructed from a period photograph, and special leather was sourced to match the original's hue.

The restoration took three years to complete.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2024