LaSalle Model 303, 1927 Model 303 | Conceptcarz.com - Pictures, Pricing, Information, Wallpaper, History

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The 1927 LaSalle was introduced in March of 1927. There were 10,767 produced. This was Harley Earl's first project at GM and lead to the formation of GM's Art and Colour Department. The LaSalle was produced in the Cadillac production facilities as a lower priced median car line between Cadillac and Buick.

LaSalles were offered in a full range of body styles, including Fisher and Fleetwood-built custom body designs. The roadster could also be ordered in two tone color combinations at a time when dark colors like black and navy blue were still the most familiar colors produced by manufacturers.

At the GM Proving Grounds in Milford, Michigan, William Radar and Gus Bell drove a roadster on an endurance test run of 10 hours. The car covered 951 miles at an average speed of 95.2 miles an hour. The fastest 252 laps had been run at an average 98.8 miles an hour. The test was terminated when an oil suction line fractured.

Production ended after the 1940 production model when GM realized that LaSalle was diluting sales and brand preference away from Cadillac.

Source - LeMay Museum

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Style 3120 5-passenger sedan
Coachwork: Fleetwood
Designer: Harley Earl

This LaSalle was shipped to a Los Angeles distributor on July 30, 1927. The car is restored to the original colors of California Red and Derby Red Medium with a Black hood.

The interior is California Red Leather.

The LaSalle was the first production car to be designed by a stylist, and that stylist was the famous Harley Earl.

Earl, by his own account, was in love with the Hispano-Suiza and as a result there was a strong reflection of his appreciation of the most advanced of European design in the 1927 303 LaSalle.

This LaSalle was restored by Garth Carrie of Santa Ynez, CA in 1973 and awarded 1st Place in its class the following year at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

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.

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Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance	Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

1927 LaSalle Model 303
Year	1927
Make	LaSalle
Model	Model 303
Body Style	Roadster
Engine Location	Front
Drive Type	Rear Wheel
Production Years for Series	1927 - 1929
Body Designer	Harley Earl
Coach Work	Fisher, Fleetwood
Price	$2,685.00
Weight	4065 lbs \| 1843.9 kg
Combined MPG	0.00

Engine
Engine Configuration	V
	L-Head
Cylinders	8
Aspiration/Induction	Normal
Displacement	303.00 CU IN. \| 4966.2 cc. \| 5 L.
Horsepower	75.00 BHP (55.2 KW) @ 3000.00 RPM
HP to Weight Ratio	54.2 LB / HP (Vehicles with similar ratio)
HP / Liter	15.0 BHP / Liter
Fuel Type	Gasoline - Petrol
	Vehicles with similar horsepower and weight

Standard Transmission
Gears	3
Transmission	Selective Sliding

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1927 LaSalle Model 303