1933 LaSalle 345-C

The LaSalle automobiles were publically introduced on March 5th, 1927, and were manufactured and marketed by General Motors' Cadillac division from 1927 through 1940. They had a stylish appearance and advanced mechanical components and were backed by General Motors' reputation and experience. Known as a companion model, they were intended to fill a void in the price structure that existed between Buick and Cadillac. They were immediately a sales success, attributed to the design talents of Harley Earl. LaSalle was his first project at General Motors, and through the 14 years of existence, Earl kept close tabs on his project. Many new ideas and concepts were implemented on the LaSalle line prior to any introduction on any of the Cadillacs, and many of the features found on the Cadillac could be found in LaSalle models.

The 1933 LaSalle 345-C
Although the Great Depression brought economic hardship, LaSalle and Cadillac appeared unphased as they continued to introduce new design evolutions and improvement products. All 1933 Cadillac and LaSalle vehicles were introduced early in the year, unveiling dramatic styling changes that were sharp departures from the past. The rectangular look of the previous years was shed in favor of streamlined, integrated bodies with numerous curves and appealing shapes. There were skirted fenders, a new radiator grille, horizontal hood ventilator doors, vacuum-assisted brakes, and no-draft ventilation. The monogram bar was no longer part of the LaSalles, the wheelbase was shortened by four inches, and the price was decreased by around $500 for each body style.

Engine
The L-head 90-degree eight-cylinder engine displaced 353 cubic inches and produced 115 horsepower. It had a cast iron block on an aluminum crankcase, three main bearings, mechanical valve lifters, and a standard 5.7:1 compression ratio. It was paired with a selective synchromesh three-speed transmission with a twin-disc clutch. Mechanical brakes at all four corners had vacuum assist and 15-inch drums.

Body Styles and Pricing
Eight catalog bodies were offered with all but one bodied by Fisher. Fleetwood bodied the two-door, five-passenger town coupe on a generous 136-inch wheelbase platform.

Fisher built four bodies on the 130-inch wheelbase and three on the larger 136-inch wheelbase platform. The four on the shorter platform included a two-passenger coupe and the four-door sedan priced at $2,245, and a convertible coupe and town coupe at $2,395. The 136-inch wheelbase was used for the town sedan ($2,495), the seven-passenger sedan ($2,495), and the seven-passenger imperial sedan ($2,645).

Approximately 3,381 LaSalles were sold in 1933.

A Brief Comparison of the 1933 LaSalle to the Eight-Cylinder 1933 Cadillac
A comparison of the 1933 Cadillac and the 1933 LaSalle reveals they were both powered by a 353 CID eight-cylinder engine with three main bearings and 115 horsepower. Both used a selective, synchromesh three-speed transmission and 15-inch drum brakes. Both LaSalle and Cadillac received Fisher no-draft individually controlled ventilation (I.C.V.) this year. Most of the Cadillacs rested on a larger wheelbase than the LaSalle, and prices of the Cadillac exceeded those of LaSalles.

- Three eight-cylinder Cadillac body styles by Fisher were built on a 134-inch wheelbase with prices that ranged from $2,695 to $2,795.
- Seven eight-cylinder Cadillac body styles by Fisher were built on a 140-inch wheelbase with prices that ranged from $2,995 to $3,395.
- At least seventeen eight-cylinder Cadillac body styles by Fleetwood were a 140-inch wheelbase with prices that exceeded $3,295, reaching beyond the $4,000 mark.

Many of the bodies built on the 140-inch wheelbase platform (Cadillac) were seven-passenger vehicles. Approximately 2,100 examples of the Cadillac Series 355-C were built in 1933.

A Brief Comparison of the 1933 LaSalle to the Range-Topping 1933 Buick
The top-of-the-line 1933 Buick was the Series 90 which shared its inline eight-cylinder, overhead valve engine with the Series 80. The engine had mechanical valve lifters, five main bearings, a two-barrel Marvel updraft carburetor, 4.63:1 compression, a displacement size of 344.8 cubic inches, and produced 104 horsepower at 2,800 RPM. It was paired with a sliding gear, synchromesh transmission (3-speed) with a double dry plate clutch.

Thus, the LaSalle engine had a slightly larger displacement size (353 vs. 344.8 CID), a different configuration (V-8 vs. inline), fewer main bearings (3 vs. 5), and more horsepower (115 vs. 104 hp).

The 1933 Buick Series 90 rested on a 138-inch wheelbase, which was larger than the 130- and 136-inch platforms used by LaSalle.

The 1933 Buick Series 90 was less expensive than its LaSalle counterpart, with the seven-passenger sedan listed at $1,955, the Victoria Coupe at $1,785, the club sedan at $1,820, the five-passenger sedan at $1,800, and the seven-passenger limousine at $2,055. Total Buick Series 90 production for 1933 was 4,023 units.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2020