LaSalle 40-52, 1940 40-52 Pictures, News, Reviews, and Info | Conceptcarz.com - Pictures, Wallpaper, Pricing, Information, History

Overview

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Chassis Num: 4E11459

The LaSalle model was created by General Motors to fill the price gap between Cadillac and Buick. With sticker prices around $3000, these attractive and conservative automobiles were affordable, reliable and built with Cadillac quality. General Motors advertised the LaSalles as being assembled to Cadillac standards in the Cadillac factory. Most of the innovate features were first featured on the LaSalle product line and then migrated to Cadillacs.

The LeSalles were practical, reliable, and functional automobiles. Unfortunately, the brand was introduced at a time in history that was economically unstable, especially for a new automotive name. They did not have the following or customer loyalty needed to stay in business. The Great Depression meant that the customers that could afford cars were probably sticking with a brand they knew and trusted. Even though this was true, the LaSalle did stimulate sales for General Motors during a difficult time in history. LaSalle stayed in production for fourteen years before GM cancelled the marque just prior to World War II.

The LaSalle Series 40-52 shown here is one of the rarest LaSalle bodies produced, due to being introduced in the final year of production. It sits atop a 123 inch wheelbase and is powered by a 322 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine capable of producing 130 horsepower.

This vehicle, chassis number 4E11459 was first shown at the 1994 Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance. It was later shown at the 2004 Cranbrook Concours d'Elegance.

Sedan
Chassis Num: 4330242

This vehicle is a 1940 LaSalle Series 52 4-Door Deluxe Torpedo. It is powered by a 322 cubic-inch V8 engine mated to a column-shift three-speed manual gearbox. It is painted in midnight black with a grey wool cord interior. It has been given a complete concours restoration that included over 1500 hours of labor and craftsmanship. Over $130,000 was spent on the vehicles restoration.

This was the last year for LaSalle as a product of Cadillac. The Series 52 Torpedo was known for its outstanding bodystyle, 45-degree sloped windshield, curved rear windows with no beltline, and rounder and smoother body and trunk.

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In 1940, the LaSalle marque ended as it had began, with distinctive as well as attractive styling. These final 'torpedo' bodied cars featured a 45-degree sloping windshield, no belt molding and a smoother line down the rear over the trunk. Even though it outsold its senior 'companion car', during much of its twelve-year existence, Cadillac was to remain the 'flag ship' of the General Motors fleet.

Photos grouped by event
Radnor Hunt Concours d'Elegance	18th Annual Burn Prevention Foundation Concours d'Elegance of the Eastern United States	Volo Auto Museum	2006 RM Auctions at Meadow Brook
2006 RM Auctions at Amelia Island

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