1930 LaSalle Model 340 Town Sedan

This 1930 LaSalle Town Sedan was offered for sale at the 2007 RM Auctions at Meadow Brook where it was estimated to sell between $55,000 - $65,000. The car is powered by a 340 cubic-inch side-valve V8 engine that is capable of producing 90 horsepower. The engine is mated to a three-speed synchromesh gearbox and there are four-wheel mechanical drum brakes.

The LaSalle marque was introduced by General Motors in 1927 as a way to bridge the price gap between Buick and Cadillac. The design of these vehicles was left up to GM's newly created Art and Color department, with legendary Harley Earl serving as the head of the department. From this group, the elegant and memorable designs of the LaSalle were created, featuring design cues inspired by European marques. The front was similar to that of a Hispano-Suiza and soon would be found on the Cadillac models. The bodies were handled by either Fisher or Fleetwood. The combination was so successful that LaSalle outsold Cadillac in 1929 and, a year later, accounted for 75 percent of Cadillac's sales.

The Town Sedan was a Fisher design and sits on-top of a 134-inch wheelbase. This example was treated to a restoration during the mid-1990s. It has been shown at several events and has been awarded a Senior First badge by the Cadillac LaSalle Club and the Classic Car Club of America.

There were around 3,000 examples created of this model and they carried a price tag of $2,590. It is believed that fewer than ten exist in modern times. The vehicle's rarity and well-kept restoration had bidders driving the sale price to $49,500.

By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2007

The Lasalle Company was introduced by General Motors in 1927 as an 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 vehicle has a three-speed synchromesh transmission, shaft drive and a 340 cubic-inch engine. Mechanical drum brakes can be found at all four corners. The 134-inch wheelbase is suspended by leaf springs and a solid axle in the front and leaf springs and a live axle in the rear.

By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2007