Vehicle Description
1930 LaSalle Phaeton 7 Passenger Touring Car
Many folks are not familiar with the LaSalle automobile other than
possibly from the introduction to the classic TV show, "All in the
Family", where Archie and Edith sing, "Gee our old LaSalle ran
great. Those were the days." Since Cadillac had been named for the
famed French explorer, what could be more logical than to honor
another French explorer with the new car, and so the LaSalle was
born.
For consignment from an original crop of 239 total cars built for
this year, this is one of 6 to survive. It was a car originally
sent to Argentina, finally making its way back to the US. It was in
a museum, and over the past 20 years the current consigner has
spent large sums of money on maintenance and minor touch ups to
make the car excellent. We present the 1930 LaSalle...as beautiful
as it is rare and a mere 59,118 original miles.
Exterior
With its beautifully curving front fenders which gently dance down
to the running boards that attach to the nearly inset rear curving
fenders, we have a great trailblazing design. These are bathed in
dark teal and have a white pinstripe that whips around the edges.
At the belt line skating the top edge of the doors and extending
through the front cowled hood is another dark teal area, and also
makes use of the white pinstripe. The remaining steel panels of
this car have been sprayed with mint green. Paint shows chipping,
some surface rust peeking through, and crazing throughout. All
chrome is good with ever so slight pitting and dulling, however
mostly nicely preserved. Flanked by the front fenders is a large
chromed radiator complete with LaSalle script badging and has 2
large headlights and a fog light attached. Turn signals sit proudly
on the fenders, and a canvas cream colored cover is over 2 spare
tires nestled into the front fenders. A matching cream colored
convertible top functions properly and is in good condition. Steel
spoked wire wheels in mint color, with a newly plated cap in the
center and a wrapping of a wide white bias ply tire is seen on all
4 corners and the spares of this 7-passenger car. Bringing up the
rear is a near perfectly restored metal trunk also draped in the
dark teal, and plenty of chromed trim on it.
Interior
Offering up two rows of overstuffed supple saddle brown leather
benches, all passengers will ride in comfort. These seats are in
excellent condition. For 2 extra passengers, jump seats magically
appear unfolded from the floor creating a third row. These are
covered in the saddle leather and are comfortable as well. When
folded they reveal beautiful wool carpet in just a lighter shade
than the saddle, and in pristine condition. Door panels are also
covered in the saddle leather and are excellently preserved. A dark
teal sprayed dash has a smattering of instrumentation, and is
fronted by a fairly pedestrian steering wheel, no glitz or glamour
here! The interior is in excellent condition.
Drivetrain
Opening the cowls, we reveal a masterpiece of 1930's engineering
with the heavy 340ci L head V8 engine. This is beautifully covered
in paint and polished parts and is topped by a 1-barrel Cadillac
Johnson carburetor. A 3-speed manual transmission original to the
car, just like the engine, is attached to the rear of the engine. A
4.50 ratio rear works to propel the car. Meticulous records are
provided of work done with the engine as well as various other
parts of the car for the past 20 years.
Undercarriage
Save for a few water spots and some light surface rust on the leaf
springs, all is well cared for underneath and structurally sound.
The Fisher Chassis is holding up well, and it is supporting the
Fleetwood Body #4057 very nicely.
Drive-Ability
With a slight cranking this L head came to life. It idled smoothly
and going up through the gears one can hear the sweet sound of an
old transmission that whirrs. We packed this car with 7 passengers,
and it rode beautifully full and empty, and everyone was
comfortable. Smooth and nice power range/gear ratio.
With early consultation with designer Harley Earl, Lawrence P.
Fisher (of Fisher body fame) now GM President, made a decision to
have a fresh design that changed the course of an entire industry
with regard to styling and marketing. The result is this rare
survivor, on overall good condition, some paint faults,
structurally sound, and a fine running automobile with a very
comfortable leather interior. Great colour combination (using the
Brit colour adds more class according to Earl.
Fleetwood Body Tag
STYLE 4057-4 Dr Phaeton 7 Passenger Touring Car
BODY 156-Body #
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 450 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.