Last updated on January 16, 2023
Today’s car is a 1939 LaSalle 4-door Sedan finished in Monterey Blue that I photographed at Net Cruze’s Cars & Coffee located at 5245 W Centinela Ave, in Los Angeles. I was not able to talk with the owner, but it appears to have been modernized inside the stock looking exterior. If this were an original car, It would be powered by a 125 hp, 322 cu in, Flat Head V8, mated to a 3-speed manual transmission. Slowing this beauty down would be hydraulic drum brakes in all 4-corners. It would have independent front suspension with a stabilizer bar and the rear suspension has longitudinal semi-elliptical leaf springs.
This car looks original at first glance, but there are a couple of things that look updated to me. First there is only a brake pedal on the floor. So it is an automatic. 1939 La Salles did not have an automatic transmission available. There is a modern vent in the center of the dashboard that makes me think it has AC. I think the owner made changes to enjoy the modern creature comforts with a classic look.
The 1939 LaSalle Series 50 production numbers indicate 23,002 units with 15,683 of them being 4-door touring sedans. The MSRP was $1,320.00. LaSalle was an American luxury automobile manufactured and marketed as an economy/luxury model between Buick and Cadillac by General Motors Cadillac Division between 1927 and 1940. The early LaSalles were designed by GM’s Harley Earl. This is a good car for weekend Cars and Coffee events or a weekend cruise along the coast. Thanks for riding along. Frank
