Vehicle Description
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 GM's 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 Cadillac's
conservative designs and color palette at the time. However, as the
world economy plunged into catastrophe with the onset of the Great
Depression, LaSalle's reputation shifted from being flashy and
bright, to being a bit more toned down and less ostentatious than
its companion brand, Cadillac. Buyers either couldn't 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
Cadillac's leadership was seeing a trend where LaSalle sales were
actually eating into Cadillac's 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
driver's 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
you're buying your very first pre-war Full Classic Car or you're
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 Ellingson's a call today at 763-428-7337!
*322 Cu. In. L-Head V8
*Single 2 Barrel Carburetor
*3 Speed Manual Transmission
*130 Horsepower
*Vincennes Red Wheels w/ Wheel Discs
*Wide Whitewall Tires
*1 of 3,000 Special Coupes Produced
*Steel Body Correctly Finished in Black
*Correct Tan Bedford Cloth Interior
*Push-Button AM Radio & Heater
*Stock Instrumentation
*Odometer Reads: 35,001 Miles
