LaSalle Model 303, 1928 Model 303 | Conceptcarz.com - Pictures, Pricing, Information, Wallpaper, History

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Chassis Num: 303220895

The LaSalle Company was introduced by General Motors in 1927 as a alternative model to Cadillac. There had been a large price gap between the Buick and Cadillac model line and GM felt a new marque would be appropriate. The LaSalle line was designed by Harley Earl who worked in the newly formed Art and Color department. Inspired by the best of American and European styles, the vehicles were stunning and elegant. The designs were so successful that within a few years, the Cadillac vehicles were updated to resemble the design. By 1929 the LaSalle vehicles were outselling Cadillac's and a year later accounted for 75 percent of the Cadillac's sales.

This 1928 LaSalle Model 303 Convertible Coupe is powered by a 303 cubic-inch Cadillac V8 engine. It has a three-speed selective sliding gear manual transmission and four-wheel mechanical drum brakes.

At the 2006 RM Auctions in Meadow Brook it was estimated to fetch between $60,000 - $80,000. The lot was sold at a price of $66,000.

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Convertible Coupe

Designed by Harley Earl as a 'companion car' to Cadillac and introduced in 1927. There are minimal differences between the '27s and '28s.

This particular car was rescued from a California salvage yard in the mid-60s and was given an amateur restoration in the early '70s.

Award: AACA Junior 2004
Award: AACA Senior 2004
Award: AACA National Cadillac LaSalle Award 2005

Convertible Coupe

LaSalle was produced as a companion marque to Cadillac from 1927 to 1940. General Motors President Alfred P. Sloan originated the 'companion' car concept as a means to introduce new nameplates that could be sold through existing sales organizations. The LaSalle also helped fill a price gap in the GM product line that had developed between the highest priced Buicks and lowest priced Cadillacs in the mid-1920s.

The original 1927 LaSalle was styled by a young California custom car builder named Harley Earl, who developed the car under contract to then Cadillac head Lawrence P. Fisher. Earl drew inspiration from Europe's rakish Hispano-Suiza for his design, creating a sporty yet elegant counterpoint to the larger Cadillacs. The LaSalle was offered in bright two-tone combinations that made it a stand-out among the typically drab-colored cars of the mid-1920s.

Built by Cadillac to Cadillac standards, the original LaSalle was a trend-setting vehicle and it was continued in 1928 with only minor changes. Alfred Sloan had by that time hired Harley Earl to implement his vision of a central design section within GM - Earl would go on to establish GM as the American style leader and would become the auto industry's first design vice-president.

This 1928 LaSalle is one of four Series 303 Convertible Coupes known. It has been well cared for since new and remains factory-original in many details.

The LaSalle was formally introduced on March 5, 1927 as a four-door sedan and offered for $2685. The 303 cubic-inch was capable of producing 75 horsepower and could carry the LaSalle's at speeds of 70 miles an hour. A few months after the vehicles introduction, GM modified a LaSalle Roadster and removed any non-essential elements. It was then driven by the division's test driver, Bill Rader, who traversed 951.8 miles at an average speed of 95.3 mph. This was an impressive accomplishment of speed and stamina. The cars abilities were matched by their elegant style. The bodies were often finished in two-tone colors. The first series was dubbed the 303, named after its 303 cubic-inch engine. There were five body-types, all sitting atop a 125-inch wheelbase. Later, larger bodystyles were added which rode on an enlarged 134-inch chassis. These were the seven-passenger sedans, Imperial sedan, and five-passenger Imperial. All of the bodies were designed by Harley Earl and created by Fisher, though special semi-custom Fleetwood styles were available through special order.

In total, there were 10,767 examples produced in 1927 of the Model 303. For the 1928 model year, little was changed. The original 12 hood louvers were replaced in favor of 28. Horsepower rose slightly to 80. Production increased to 17,038 units. 1929 was the final year of the 303; horsepower rose to 86 and production was at 22,961 units.

The larger wheelbase vehicles had proven to be wildly popular so for 1929 most LaSalle vehicles now rode on this platform. The roadster and two phaeton models remained on the shorter, 130-inch wheelbase. Sales continued to increase and ventured into Cadillac's territory. The demand for Cadillac vehicles fell by more than half.

Most of the LaSalle 303 bodies received coachwork by Fisher. Fleetwood created a few 'Semi-Custom' bodies, also on a 125-inch wheelbase. In 1927, Fleetwood created 22 examples of the Style 3130, 5-passenger Town Car, which ranged in price from $4500 - $5000. There were 13 examples of the 5-Passenger Sedan, style 3120, constructed in 1927, at a price of $3800. Fleetwood bodied 12 examples of the 2-Passenger Coupe, Style 3110, which carried a price of $4,275. The final Fleetwood bodystyle was the 5-Passenger Town Car which carried Style number 3051 and cost $4700. There were nine-examples built between 1927 and 1928.

Only two Fleetwood Semi-Custom cars were built on a 134-inch wheelbase. These were built in 1928. They were 5-passenger Town Cars, style 3751, and cost $4800.

In total, there were 10,767 examples of the LaSalle 303 built in 1927, and 16,038 created in 1928.

Photos grouped by event
Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance	Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance	2006 RM Auctions at Meadow Brook

1928 LaSalle Model 303
Year	1928
Make	LaSalle
Model	Model 303
Body Style	Convertible Coupe
Engine Location	Front
Drive Type	Rear Wheel
Production Years for Series	1927 - 1929
Combined MPG	0.00

Chassis / Engine Numbers Shown
Chassis Number	303220895

Engine
Engine Builder	Cadillac
Engine Configuration	V
	L-Head
Cylinders	8
Aspiration/Induction	Normal
Displacement	303.00 CU IN. \| 4966.2 cc. \| 5 L.
Horsepower	80.00 HP (58.9 KW)
HP / Liter	16.0 BHP / Liter
Fuel Type	Gasoline - Petrol
Block	Cast-iron

Standard Transmission
Gears	3
Transmission	Selective Sliding

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