Feature Car Sept. 2 - Nov. 11/02

1939 LaSalle
Owned by Julian Slotylak
Kamloops Chapter
Story by Jack Woolard

The LaSalle automobile was created by General Motors in the late 1920’s to take its place in the GM line of motor vehicles between Buick and Cadillac.  The price differential between those two car lines was large enough that many people were looking elsewhere (to Packard) when they wanted to upgrade from a Buick.  A top-of-the-line Buick cost $1,925 and the lowest price Cadillac cost $3,195.  The loss of valued GM customers to Packard did not sit too well with GM’s President, Alfred P. Sloan Jr. He ordered a new line of cars to fill the void and since the Cadillac had been named for the famed French explorer it was logical to name the new “junior Cadillac” after a compatriot.  And, the LaSalle was born. 

The President of Cadillac Motor Division, Laurence Fisher, and Mr. Sloan agreed that a more dashing and youthful image than the staid Cadillac was required to create a vehicle that would attract the customers back to GM.  Mr. Fisher went to California and hired a young stylish, Harley Earl, from a custom body shop to come and design the new car.  Mr. Earl was inspired by the magnificent Hispano-Suiza and the early models were “the first of the smaller and more maneuverable luxury cars built to traditional standards in an attempt to extend the prestige market”.  A new V-8 engine was designed for the car and it proved to be so well engineered that it was used in the Cadillac line the following years. 

The first LaSalle was formally introduced on March 5, 1927, (a time when the history making Model T Ford was coming to an end) and the basic sedan sold for $2,685.  It was described as “the handsomest American car of its day”.  Its “clamshell” fenders were long and sweeping, its silhouette was low, its radiator – after the fashion of the fabled “Hisso” – was tall and relatively narrow.  The 5 body styles sat on a 125” wheelbase, 7” shorter than the Cadillac.  With its dashing looks, fine performance and adroit pricing, LaSalle was enthusiastically received, and largely because of this, Sloan haired Earl full time.  The first year’s production saw 10,767 sold.  The Classic Car Club of America recognizes all 1927-1933 LaSalles as Classics, but most feel that the 1032 was the handsomest.  The best production year was 1937 when 32,000 cars were built.  By 1940 the numbers had fallen to 24,130 and the marque came to an end.

Webmaster’s note – Packard introduced the 120 in 1935, which became very popular selling 33,901 in 1937, which would have been higher if they had not also introduced the 115-C (6 cyl.) in 1937, which sold an additional 41,882.  This combination proved too much for LaSalle.  

The LaSalle remains a landmark in automotive history, in some respects, one of the most significant cars ever built.:
·         It was the first “stylist car” to reach mass production, a portent of things to come.
·         By prompting formation of General Motors’ Art & Color Section, it paved the way for a new approach to automotive design throughout the industry.
·         It made Cadillac quality more affordable, thus expanding the division’s sales base, at a crucial time.  Though Cadillac’s total production in the decimated luxury market of the Depression Years, LaSalle’s share was usually substantial and often critical.  In short, LaSalle ensured Cadillac’s ultimate survival.
·         And over its 14-year lifespan, LaSalle bore some of the handsomest styling ever seen on American roads with a total production of 204,130.

(Courtesy of Collectible Automobile, April 1986). 

Don Coulter found Julian’s LaSalle when he was on a car tour in Washington State in June 1989 and while stopped in a small town, a local resident approached him and said he knew where there were 3 similar cars to the one Don was driving.  This intrigued don who went looking for and eventually found the farm where they were.  Don negotiated with the owner who said he would take $1,500 cash for all three.  Don agreed and went off to get the cash and on his return experienced a reluctant seller who said he the $1,500 was probably not right and he would sell them for $1,200.  This delighted Don and he came back to Kamloops and with two friends drove back to Cheney, WA with three trucks and trailers and hauled the cars back to Kamloops.  Julian bought one in the fall of 1989 and put it in storage for future restoration.  

                       As Found in Field                                     To Mall Show in As Found Condition

The car was placed in the March 1990 Chapter Car Show and Northills Mall in ass “as found” condition.  Afterwards, it was returned to storage when Julian could slowly take it apart, find parts, and learn about the car and the marque.  It was completely dismantled by 1998, the body removed from the chassis and the chassis taken to Ted reading’s shop in Tappen to begin the restoration process. 

Off to Tappen

 The serious work started with Julian spending many adjusted weekends at Tappen working along with Ted and the craftsman.  The 120” wheelbase chassis was completely rebuilt with many new parts, painted and returned to Kamloops for storage while the engine was rebuilt. 

The engine was bored to 3.5” and standard Cadillac pistons installed.  This brought the engine up to 346 cu. In. and increased the horsepower above the standard 125.  Once the engine was finished it was returned to Julian’s garage and installed in the chassis.  The car body was then taken to Ted Reading’s for restoration with Ted doing the bodywork and Julian the helper.  By October 2000 the completed chassis was returned to Tappen for attachment of the body to the frame.  Work progressed steadily and after a gorgeous paint job by Ted, the body was ready for the upholstry.  The car was trailered to Enderby in October 2001 where Jack Kalf created and installed the new upholstry.  Julian decided to drive the car back to Tappen for completion but only got about a mile from the upholsterers when the water pump went and the car had to be trailered to Tappen.  

 After final assembly and the water pump replaced, Julian began the drive home and was enjoying the drive when just west of Chase there was a loud bang and steam began pouring out the rear of the car. 

Julian immediately pulled over and stopped he engine.  One of the “frost plugs” had come out of the engine and sprayed the nicely detailed engine with antifreeze.  The LaSalle finished the ride home behind a tow truck and then required a thorough cleaning of the engine.  It was then talked to Smith Chevrolet Oldsmobile for replacement of the frost plug.  It was much admired by the mechanics with the elder mechanic pulling rank to fix the car.   

The finished product is a gorgeous automobile and a tribute to the workmanship of all the people involved in restoration. 

Julian was able to obtain a lot of assistance and parts from many sources found through Hemmings Motor News and Old Cars.  He thanks Bruce Berghoff, a retired Cadillac executive, as a good parts source: Renee Toombs, Ontario for many parts, Terrill Machine in Texas for mechanical parts: Al Rance, Armstrong for the wood graining, Doug McCloy, Kamloops VCCC fro the new safety glass, Virgil Lysgaard, Kamloops VCCC for manufacturing the front bumper guard and running board trim.  Many parts were found at swap meets, including Cloverdale.   

1939 LaSalle Specifications: 

Wheelbase – 120 inches
Weight – 3790 lbs.
Engine – Flathead 90 degree V-8 – L-head – 3 3/8” bore x 4 ½” stroke –322 cu. In. 125 BHP @3400 RPM. 
Price - $1,320 fob