LaSalle Models & History (1931)

The Series 345-A replaced the Series 340 this year

  • The straight sill was retained
  • The hood louvers were retained until mid-model when they were replaced by doors, but the cowl doors did not match the hood doors
  • Radiator screen was an option
  • New oval instrument panel featured with a different grouping from the Cadillac 355
  • Single bar bumper is quickest way to distinguish a 1931 Series 345 from the 1930 Series 340.
  • Metal covers installed on the springs
  • Radiator positioned vertical instead of sloping to the rear
  • An intake muffler is installed
  • Three-point engine mounting retained
  • The distributor is 1.5 inches lower than on the Cadillac 355

I.D. DATA

  • Serial numbers were not used on the 1931 LaSalle
  • Engine numbers stamped on a plate on the front face of the dash and on the crankcase just below the water inlet on the right side
  • Starting: 900001. Ending: 910103.

STYLE

Fisher 134″ wheelbase
Style No. Doors Body Type Seating Price Weight
31652 4 Town Sedan 5 $2345 4565 lb
31658 2 Coupe 2/4 $2195 4470 lb
31659 4 Sedan 5 $2295 4650 lb
31662 4 Sedan 7 $2475 4750 lb
31663 4 Imperial Sedan 7 $2595 4825 lb
31668 2 Convertible Coupe 2/4 $2295 4440 lb
31672 2 Coupe 5 $2295 4490 lb

 

Fleetwood 134″ wheelbase
Style No. Doors Body Type Seating Price Weight
4602 2 Roadster 2/4 $2245 4345 lb
4657 4 Transformable 7 $2345 4440 lb
4680 4 All-weather Phaeton 5 $3245 4675 lb
n/a 4 Sedanette 5 $3245 4650 lb
n/a 4 Sedanette Cabriolet 5 $3245 4675 lb

ENGINE

  • Engine type: 90° V-8 L-head
  • Block: Cast iron on aluminum crankcase
  • Bore & Stroke: 3-3/8″ x 4-15/16″
  • Displacement: 353 cu. in.
  • Compression ratio: 5.35 : 1 (5.25: 1 optional)
  • Brake Horsepower: over 95 @ 3000 rpm
  • SAE/Taxable/NACC Horsepower: 36.45
  • Main bearings: 3
  • Valve lifters: mechanical
  • Carburetor: Cadillac/Johnson with intake silencer

CHASSIS

  • Wheelbase: 134 inches
  • Overall length: 202 inches
  • Height: 72.5 inches
  • Front tread: 57.25 inches
  • Rear tread: 59.5 inches
  • Tires: 6.50 x 19 (7.00 x 18 opt on 7-passenger sedan)

DRIVETRAIN

  • Selective synchromesh transmission
  • Speeds: 3-Forward, 1-Reverse
  • Left-hand drive, center controls (rhd opt)
  • Twin disc clutch
  • Shaft drive (torque tube) 3/4-floating rear axle, spiral bevel drive
  • Overall ratio: 4.75:1 std (4.07:1, 4.54:1 opt)
  • Mechanical brakes on four wheels (15″ drums on all wheels)
  • Wood artillery wheels
  • Wheel size: 19″

OPTIONS

  • Auxiliary lights: $37.50-75.00
  • Heater: $41-55
  • Heron or Goddess ornament: $20
  • Mirrors: $32.00/pair
  • Radiator screen: $33
  • Radio: (price on application)
  • Seat covers: $25.75-73.50
  • Tire cover(s): $5-40
  • Tonneau windshield: $185
  • Trunks: $100-119
  • Wind wings: $25.00-47.50

HISTORICAL NOTES

1931 LaSalle Notes

  • Introduced August 1930
  • Model year sales: 10,103
  • Model year production: 10,103
  • Lawrence P. Fisher was president
  • Ernest W. Seaholm was chief engineer
  • J. C. Chick was general sales manager

1931 Automotive Notes

  • Industry production dropped another million to 2,038,183 cars and 434,176 trucks
  • Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. was president of GM
  • Lammot du Pont was chairman of the board at GM
  • Chrysler introduces its first 8-cyl engine
  • Last year for Oakland, but Pontiac continues
  • Studebaker started “free-wheeling” but now it is offered by Auburn, Chrysler, DeSoto, DeVaux, Dodge, Essex, Graham, Hudson, Hupmobile, Lincoln, Marmon, Peerless, Pierce-Arrow, Plymouth, and Willys
  • Startix (a device to restart a stalled engine) is offered on several makes
  • Oldsmobile first to adopt “Synchro-Mesh” transmission
  • Packard and others offer shock-absorber adjustments from the dashboard
  • Last year for the Model A
  • B. B. Ellerbeck patents a retractable hardtop convertible
  • Top model year production for 1931
1. Chevrolet 619,554 … decreased 21,000
2. Ford 615,455 … decreased over 525,000
3. Buick 138,965 … decreased nearly 43,000
4. Plymouth 106,986 … increased 30,000
5. Studebaker 96,173 … decreased 27,000
6. Pontiac 84,708 … increased 22,000 units
7. Willys 65,800 … increased 36,000
8. Chrysler 65,500 … decreased 12,000
9. Dodge 52,364 … decreased 38,000
10. Essex 47,418 … decreased 21,000
11. Oldsmobile 47,277 … increased 2,000
12. Nash 37,386 … decreased 26,000
13. Auburn 36,148 … increased 22,000
14. DeSoto 32,580 … about the same as 1930
15. Graham 28,428 … increased 5,000
16. Hudson 22,246 … increased 14,000
17. Hupmobile 17,451 … increased 5,000
18. Packard 15,450 … decreased 21,000
19. Cadillac 15,196 … decreased 2,000
20. Oakland 13,408 … decreased 8,000
21. Whippet 13,400 … decreased 17,000
22. LaSalle 10,095 … decreased 5,000
23. Reo 6,762 … decreased 5,000
24. Marmon 5,687 … increased 1,000
25. Pierce-Arrow 4,500 … decreased 5,000
26. Lincoln 3,556 … about the same as 1930
27. Franklin 2,851 … decreased 3,000
28. Cord 1,433 … about the same as 1930
29. American Austin 1,279 … decreased 7,000

1931 LaSalle Photo Gallery