General Motors introduced the LaSalle in 1927 as a lower-priced and sportier companion car to Cadillac. Harley Earl had designed the first LaSalle under contract to Cadillac chief Lawrence Fisher. The new car's widely acclaimed styling lead then GM president Alfred P. Sloan to appoint Earl head of the corporations new Art & Colour styling section in 1928. An all-new LaSalle for 1934 introduced the tall, narrow grille that would be a hallmark of LaSalle cars for the rest of their production. The final model year for LaSalle came in 1940, as Cadillac had decided to market a similarly priced model line bearing the Cadillac nameplate for 1941. The last LaSalles were built on a 123" wheelbase. Their famous vertical grille was for the first and only time flanked by headlights set into the front fenders. A Cadillac-built 322 cid, 130-hp L-head V8 gave the 1940 LaSalle impressive performance. There were two LaSalle series for 1940. The Series 50, with its 1939-type slab-sided bodies, carried the least expensive models. The higher priced Series 52 Special line featured ultra-modern "torpedo body" designs that were wider and lower. In March 1940, the new Series 52 Special Convertible Coupe arrived. This racy and sleek open model was distinguished by its low windshield and new vacuum-operated power top. As with all Series 52 Special cars, the Convertible's interior was trimmed by Fleetwood. Just 425 Special Convertible Coupes were built, out of a total 1940 LaSalle production of 24,130 (the second highest total for LaSalle ever). Offered from a private collection where the car has resided since 1970, in more recent times the car has clearly benefited from a thorough restoration. The paintwork in a Champagne Gold livery is immaculately presented and is set off well by a new top in dark brown fabric and complemented by the burgundy leather interior. Seemingly unused since the restoration, it is currently being put back on the road for the sale. The sleek 1940 LaSalle 52 Specials closed out the car's history on a high note. Many enthusiasts consider the 1940 Series 52 Special Convertible Coupe to be the most gorgeous LaSalle of them all.
General Motors introduced the LaSalle in 1927 as a lower-priced and sportier companion car to Cadillac. Harley Earl had designed the first LaSalle under contract to Cadillac chief Lawrence Fisher. The new car's widely acclaimed styling lead then GM president Alfred P. Sloan to appoint Earl head of the corporations new Art & Colour styling section in 1928. An all-new LaSalle for 1934 introduced the tall, narrow grille that would be a hallmark of LaSalle cars for the rest of their production. The final model year for LaSalle came in 1940, as Cadillac had decided to market a similarly priced model line bearing the Cadillac nameplate for 1941. The last LaSalles were built on a 123" wheelbase. Their famous vertical grille was for the first and only time flanked by headlights set into the front fenders. A Cadillac-built 322 cid, 130-hp L-head V8 gave the 1940 LaSalle impressive performance. There were two LaSalle series for 1940. The Series 50, with its 1939-type slab-sided bodies, carried the least expensive models. The higher priced Series 52 Special line featured ultra-modern "torpedo body" designs that were wider and lower. In March 1940, the new Series 52 Special Convertible Coupe arrived. This racy and sleek open model was distinguished by its low windshield and new vacuum-operated power top. As with all Series 52 Special cars, the Convertible's interior was trimmed by Fleetwood. Just 425 Special Convertible Coupes were built, out of a total 1940 LaSalle production of 24,130 (the second highest total for LaSalle ever). Offered from a private collection where the car has resided since 1970, in more recent times the car has clearly benefited from a thorough restoration. The paintwork in a Champagne Gold livery is immaculately presented and is set off well by a new top in dark brown fabric and complemented by the burgundy leather interior. Seemingly unused since the restoration, it is currently being put back on the road for the sale. The sleek 1940 LaSalle 52 Specials closed out the car's history on a high note. Many enthusiasts consider the 1940 Series 52 Special Convertible Coupe to be the most gorgeous LaSalle of them all.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
