1940 LaSalle Series 52

This 1940 LaSalle Series 52 Special Coupe is a gorgeous Pre-War CCCA Full Classic Car, with great options and V8 power! Launching on March 5, 1927, the LaSalle marque was a General Motors brand that was considered to be a fancier and more luxurious car than Buick but less expensive than GMs top-of-the-line Cadillac. The earliest LaSalles were designed by famed automotive designer Harley Earl, and the resulting designs were a bit flashier than Cadillacs conservative designs and color palette at the time. However, as the world economy plunged into catastrophe with the onset of the Great Depression, LaSalles reputation shifted from being flashy and bright, to being a bit more toned down and less ostentatious than its companion brand, Cadillac. Buyers either couldnt spend the higher prices of a Cadillac or perhaps folks may not have wanted to flaunt their wealth at a time when most folks were quite destitute. Accordingly, by the late-30s, LaSalle had become more popular and Cadillacs leadership was seeing a trend where LaSalle sales were actually eating into Cadillacs sales. 1940 would be the final year for the LaSalle brand with Cadillac replacing LaSalle with the 1941 Series 61 and Cadillac would go on to experience record-breaking sales in 1941. The 1940 LaSalle was nonetheless a gorgeous automobile, and it was offered in two model lines, the entry-level Series 50 and the more prestigious Series 52 Special. The Special Series 52 was distinctive from the 50, due to its torpedo or projectile body lines including a more-raked windshield, curved rear window, and a smoother body line that ran down through the trunk. The 1940 Lasalles also featured a new grille design and new-look front-fenders complete with modern sealed beam headlights molded into the fenders. In total, LaSalle produced a mere 3,000 Special Coupes in 1940, which makes this particular example quite a rare piece of automotive history. Additionally, due to its distinctive design and limited production, this 1940 LaSalle Series 52 Coupe has been deemed a Full Classic by the Classic Car Club of America which means it is eligible for CCCA events and CARavans. This particular example comes to us from a prominent museum collection where is was well-sorted and well-maintained while displayed in the collection. Under the hood on this 40 LaSalle is a 322 cubic inch L-Head V8 fed by a single 2 barrel carburetor that together were said to have produced 130 horsepower when new. The 322 V8 is mated to a 3 speed manual transmission that is shifted with a column-mounted three-on-the-tree shifter. Exhaust exits this Series 52 Coupe via a single exhaust outlet that generates a terrific sound out of the rear tailpipe. This 1940 Lasalle Coupe is nicely equipped with options! Front and rear chrome bumper guards elevate the already classy look of this luxurious pre-war car. A drivers side chrome mirror is another welcome addition on any classic car since it makes maneuvering in and out of traffic, and even a tight parking space, much less stressful. The hydraulic braking system is another great feature on this Series 52 since it makes stopping much easier. This LaSalle rides on a set of wide whitewall tires mounted on Vincennes Red painted steel wheels and accented with Full Wheel Discs, with this combination really setting off the upscale look of this car. The all steel coupe body on this 40 LaSalle has been correctly refinished in Black paint that completes the exterior look of this wonderful pre-war classic. The interior of this 1940 LaSalle Series 52 Special Coupe is absolutely gorgeous! The front and rear bench seats are correctly upholstered in Tan Bedford cloth and they are extremely comfortable. The matching upholstered door panels with armrests, chocolate brown carpeting, painted dash, and steering wheel all appear to be in great shape as well while retaining a fantastic stock appearance. Like most luxury cars of this era, this 1940 LaSalle Special Coupe comes equipped with full instrumentation including a 100 MPH speedometer, temperature gauge, battery gauge, oil pressure gauge, and gasoline gauge. The dash is finished off with a clock, locking glovebox, and optional push-button AM radio, along with an optional heater mounted neatly underneath. Whether youre buying your very first pre-war Full Classic Car or youre already a car-carrying member of the Classic Car Club of America seeking acquire a great touring car for your next CARavan, this 1940 LaSalle Series 52 Special Coupe would make an excellent choice. Give Ellingsons a call today at 763-428-7337!