- Division-window Imperial sedan, body style 32-663
- Attractive high-quality restoration
- Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) Full Classic
Both LaSalle and its parent Cadillac were restyled for 1932, with
softer lines and a stronger family resemblance. Engines were the
same, too�Cadillac's 353-cubic-inch, 115 bhp unit. LaSalle bodies,
however, were all by Fisher, the Fleetwood styles of 1931 having
been discontinued. Wheelbases were 130 and 136 inches, the
seven-passenger sedan and Imperial sedan on the longer chassis. The
Imperial differed from the seven-passenger sedan in having a
division window. At a whopping 5,065 pounds, it was the heaviest
LaSalle and also the most expensive, at $2,795, though much less
expensive than the equivalent seven-passenger Cadillac, which was
just four inches longer.
Purchased by the Merrick Auto Museum in 2000, this LaSalle had
previously belonged to John Graham of Akron, Ohio. Its build record
shows it was ordered on 2 November 1932, a verbal request from the
Cleveland branch, the shipping recorded as "will call," implying a
drive-away. The order calls for all-black, with "Tokio Ivory" body
stripe, much as the car is today. Upholstery is specified as grey
whipcord. The passenger compartment is restored in that fashion,
with the driver's compartment in black leather. The wheels are now
grey, and they carry 7 � 17-inch whitewall tires. The recipient of
a 1,600-plus-hour restoration, its quality is excellent. The engine
compartment is correct and clean, without being over-detailed.
Just 3,390 LaSalles were built in 1932. This car's chassis number
indicates it was one of the last to be constructed. For 1933 there
was considerable restyling, as streamlining gained favor and the
upright era was left behind. The 1932s artfully managed to combine
beauty with a vertical fa�ade.To view this car and others currently
consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/hf19.
