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1932 LaSalle 345B news, pictures, and information | ||
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 |  |  | Town Sedan Coachwork: Fisher |
The 354A LaSalle Series was introduced in 1931, and was fundamentally a Cadillac sibling. Both the 354A and the Cadillac carried the same 134-inch wheel base, along with a 353.3-cid V-8 engine. This was the same V8 engine that has been placed in previous vehicles since 1929. Not much was different between the two vehicles except the trim and the nameplates. Though the LaSalle was $500 less than the luxurious Cadillac, the Caddie still remained on top and beat the LaSalle almost two-to one, despite the tightening pressure of the Depression.
The LaSalle was nearly identical in appearance to the Cadillac, except for the headlamps, which were bowl-shaped rather than bullet-shaped, like the Caddie. Also, the 345B LaSalle featured a wheelbase that contracted by four inches, or 10 centimeters. The vehicle was offered in a variety of sizes; a two-seat coupe, a town coupe, a convertible coupe and a five passenger sedan. A seven-passenger sedan was available, next to a town sedan and the Imperial, and all of these came with a 136-inch chassis. Standard models were demoted to a 130-inch platform.
The horsepower was rated to 115 from 95, and was power mainly through the use of downdraft carburetion. Unfortunately at the same time, the economy was dropping drastically and along with it, LaSalle sales. Three years earlier the sales had peaked at 22,951, but now they had dropped to merely 3,386 sold for this year.
Prices were also reduced to $2,200-$2,800, though $500 below Cadillac Eights.By Jessica Donaldson
The LaSalle was nearly identical in appearance to the Cadillac, except for the headlamps, which were bowl-shaped rather than bullet-shaped, like the Caddie. Also, the 345B LaSalle featured a wheelbase that contracted by four inches, or 10 centimeters. The vehicle was offered in a variety of sizes; a two-seat coupe, a town coupe, a convertible coupe and a five passenger sedan. A seven-passenger sedan was available, next to a town sedan and the Imperial, and all of these came with a 136-inch chassis. Standard models were demoted to a 130-inch platform.
The horsepower was rated to 115 from 95, and was power mainly through the use of downdraft carburetion. Unfortunately at the same time, the economy was dropping drastically and along with it, LaSalle sales. Three years earlier the sales had peaked at 22,951, but now they had dropped to merely 3,386 sold for this year.
Prices were also reduced to $2,200-$2,800, though $500 below Cadillac Eights.By Jessica Donaldson
 |  |  | Sport Phaeton Coachwork: Fisher |
This is a very significant LaSalle for two reasons: it is a one-of-a-kind automobile and remains in its original unrestored condition. It retains its original paint, upholstery and top. This Cadillac LaSalle Sport Phaeton was specially ordered for Doctor Nichols of York Harbor, Maine who was the original owner. LaSalle Sport Phaeton was not an available body style and this was a one-off special order.
The car was found in the late 1950s by a major car collector Willard Pike who kept the car for a coupe of years before trading it to Richard Paine for a Duesenberg J437, the Taper Tail.
Paine kept the car until the late 1970s before selling it to another major collector who kept the car for 30 years until it was purchased by the current owners.
Although the fenders have been repainted, the car still retains its original paint work on the body, its original interior, original top and side curtains.
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| Similar Automakers | |
| Crosley | DeSoto |
| Edsel | Hudson |
| Imperial | Kaiser |
| Nash | Oakland |
| Tucker | Willys |
| Similarly Priced Vehicles from 1932 |
| Packard Model 902 Eight ($2,655-$3,450) |
| REO 8-35 Royale ($2,445-$3,000) |
| Stutz Model DV-32 ($2,804-$7,643) |
| Cadillac 355B ($2,795-$4,245) |
| Stutz SV-16 ($2,705-$7,565) |
| Franklin Airman ($2,345-$2,695) |
Average Auction Sale: $36,552 |
| LaSalle: 1931-1940 |
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| LaSalle History |
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