1940 LaSalle Series 52

Cadillac introduced its 'junior' marque, the LaSalle, in March 1927. It was the first project for automotive designer Harley Earl, then working on a contract basis for Cadillac and considered the first American car to have been styled from concept to production. The first few years of production were a sales success, with model-year sales and production rising quickly to nearly 30,000 by 1929, outselling the 'senior' Cadillac line by a factor of nearly two to one.

The LaSalle offered Cadillac quality at a price advantage of nearly $1,000. Additionally, it shared styling elements and basic mechanicals with its 'older sibling,' Cadillac. Along with the rest of the industry, sales were sluggish during the Great Depression, with just 3,290 produced in 1932, followed by 3,381 in 1933. For 1934, LaSalle sales were reinvigorated, thanks in part to a new identity, using a new body and mechanicals derived from fellow GM division, Oldsmobile. It was given streamlined styling features which included a distinctively narrow nose and stylish 'catwalks' joining the front-fender aprons to the body. These features would remain with LaSalle throughout the rest of the marque's existence.

As the 1930s were coming to a close, there was less need for lower-priced company lines as many competitors were no longer in business. LaSalle's days were numbers, and 1940 would be the final model year for the brand. Two lines were offered, comprising Series 40-50 and more upscale Series 40-52. Both series rested on a 123-inch wheelbase platform, although the 40-52 was about four inches longer. The Series 40-52 - also known as 'Specials', 'Torpedo' or Projectile' - had a 45-degree raked windshield, no belt moldings, a rounder, smoother line along the rear of the body and through the trunk, and a curved rear window. Fisher body styles included a coupe, touring sedan, convertible sedan, and convertible coupe.

Both series shared the L-head eight-cylinder engine having a 322 cubic-inch displacement and offered 130 horsepower. The engine was backed by a selective synchro three-speed manual transmission with a single disc clutch, hydraulic brakes on four wheels, and slotted disc 16-inch wheels.

For 1940, LaSalle produced 10,382 examples of the Series 40-50 and 13,751 of the Series 40-52.

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2019