.jpg?w=1)
Details
1940 LASALLE SERIES 52 SPECIAL "TORPEDO" CONVERTIBLE COUPE
Chassis No. tba
Grey with red leather interior
Engine: eight cylinder L-head, 322ci., 130bhp at 3,400rpm; Gearbox: three speed manual; Suspension: leaf springs all around; Brakes: hydraulic drums all around. Left hand drive.
1940 marked LaSalle's departure from the automobile industry. However, it was in their fourteenth and final year that the mid-range General Motors division made what many consider to be the best cars they ever built. Though the 1939 model year cars were good looking, the Art and Color team at GM, headed by the talented Harley Earl, managed to improve further on their last design and create one of the prettiest cars of 1940. The 1940 model's revised front end styling included an extremely narrow grille and new front fenders with built in sealed beam headlamps. There were no less than nine different body styles in two separate series offered that year. The 1940 LaSalle base model ranged from a modest $1,240 for the coupe to an equally affordable $1,800 at the top end. Of these nine different bodies, the sleekly styled 'torpedo' bodied convertible coupes, as they were known, were undoubtedly the most attractive.
The LaSalle Series 52 Special Convertible Coupes used the stylish new GM 'torpedo' body. They were lower, wider and more integrated in appearance than those used on the less expensive standard LaSalles. The new body was also shared with the 1940 Series 62 Cadillacs. In general, the cars appeared very clean as they were largely absent of unnecessary chrome trim. Instead they relied more heavily on their integrated body forms to create their visually pleasing impact. Unfortunately, the demise of LaSalle was predetermined and despite their highly impressive sales year, the company shut their doors and production was abruptly halted.
Mr. Brown's LaSalle Series 52 Special Convertible Coupe appears to be a fine example of an older restoration. Although showing some age in places, the car's exterior grey paint is quite presentable. We are told that the LaSalle is in running condition. Panel fit and overall mechanical operation is commendable and, though the brakes were a bit sharp during a recent road test, this LaSalle offered a sprightly performance. The low production Convertible Coupe is perhaps the most attractive example built by the LaSalle division and would be a fun and sporting car for any classic car enthusiast.
WITHOUT RESERVE
Chassis No. tba
Grey with red leather interior
Engine: eight cylinder L-head, 322ci., 130bhp at 3,400rpm; Gearbox: three speed manual; Suspension: leaf springs all around; Brakes: hydraulic drums all around. Left hand drive.
1940 marked LaSalle's departure from the automobile industry. However, it was in their fourteenth and final year that the mid-range General Motors division made what many consider to be the best cars they ever built. Though the 1939 model year cars were good looking, the Art and Color team at GM, headed by the talented Harley Earl, managed to improve further on their last design and create one of the prettiest cars of 1940. The 1940 model's revised front end styling included an extremely narrow grille and new front fenders with built in sealed beam headlamps. There were no less than nine different body styles in two separate series offered that year. The 1940 LaSalle base model ranged from a modest $1,240 for the coupe to an equally affordable $1,800 at the top end. Of these nine different bodies, the sleekly styled 'torpedo' bodied convertible coupes, as they were known, were undoubtedly the most attractive.
The LaSalle Series 52 Special Convertible Coupes used the stylish new GM 'torpedo' body. They were lower, wider and more integrated in appearance than those used on the less expensive standard LaSalles. The new body was also shared with the 1940 Series 62 Cadillacs. In general, the cars appeared very clean as they were largely absent of unnecessary chrome trim. Instead they relied more heavily on their integrated body forms to create their visually pleasing impact. Unfortunately, the demise of LaSalle was predetermined and despite their highly impressive sales year, the company shut their doors and production was abruptly halted.
Mr. Brown's LaSalle Series 52 Special Convertible Coupe appears to be a fine example of an older restoration. Although showing some age in places, the car's exterior grey paint is quite presentable. We are told that the LaSalle is in running condition. Panel fit and overall mechanical operation is commendable and, though the brakes were a bit sharp during a recent road test, this LaSalle offered a sprightly performance. The low production Convertible Coupe is perhaps the most attractive example built by the LaSalle division and would be a fun and sporting car for any classic car enthusiast.
WITHOUT RESERVE