For Sale at Auction: 1933 LaSalle 345C in Amelia Island, Florida

Engine No. 2001034
Body No. 51

Introduced in 1927, the LaSalle marque was created by General Motors to fill a perceived gap in the model range between Buick and Cadillac. Handsomely styled by legendary designer Harley Earl, the LaSalle inspired General Motors to establish a separate division known as the "Art and Colour Section" responsible for automotive styling, naturally headed up by Earl. Built by Cadillac to the same "Standard of the World" quality with their renowned dependability, by 1933 the LaSalle employed an advanced 353 cu-in 90-degree V8 engine offering impressive performance across its range that employed either a 130-inch or 136-inch wheelbase chassis and seven standard bodies crafted by Fisher.

Ordered in January 1933, the GM Archives-supplied order form for this LaSalle Series 345C V-8 Convertible Coupe reveals that it was originally sold to Delaware Motor Sales Co. of Wilmington, Delaware. The Convertible Coupe was the most expensive of the 130-inch wheelbase models and just one of 146 produced that year-comprising just 4.2 percent of LaSalle production in 1933. It was finished in popular Black with a daring selection of Glacier Green highlights and six wire-spoke wheels. The rare and highly collectible LaSalle was well optioned when new with a Black leather interior and the second most expensive ($66.50) Group No.2 Equipment that comprised one pair black metal tire covers with mirrors, cowl ventilator screen, and moto-pack, in addition to separately ordered license frames ($7.00) and a "Torpedo" radiator ornament ($20.00). A painted folding trunk rack, appropriate for LaSalles ordered with six wire wheels (as this example was), completes the sporting look.

Acquired by The Bill & Patti Spurling Collection in 2017, the rare V-8 Convertible Coupe is a noted former long-term member of the Dr. Barbara Mae Atwood's collection and features a full and comprehensive award-winning restoration to its exciting original factory specification. It is quite apparent the exquisite restoration is befitting a car of this caliber from its clean V8 engine compartment and its taut Black convertible top with restored irons, to its fully reupholstered rumble seat compartment that provides additional seating for two spirited individuals.

While part of The Bill & Patti Spurling Collection, the LaSalle was shown twice in heated Cadillac & LaSalle Club competition, first in 2015 when it captured a well-deserved Senior Award. In 2019, the tremendous touring capability of the car was demonstrated when Mr. Spurling drove the car approximately 300 miles round-trip from Evansville, Indiana, to Louisville, Kentucky, where it claimed a second Senior Award at the 2019 Grand National meet, with Senior badge number 992 proudly affixed to the passenger-side cowl. Today this LaSalle remains in award-winning condition, and is a stellar example of the refined engineering and sophisticated design that defined LaSalle at its zenith.