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1930sLaSalleYear In Review
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LaSalle (1932)

LaSalle Models & History (1932)

The Series 345-B replaced the Series 345-A this year

  • The LaSalle shared many of the features of the V-8 Cadillac except for a shorter wheelbase (130″ instead of 134″ and 136″ instead of 140″)
  • Body styles were the same as the Cadillac.
  • Only Fisher bodies were available. Fleetwood was dropped for 1932 but would reappear in 1933
  • There were five ports/doors on each side of the hood
  • The headlights were the same as in 1931
  • The fender tie-bar (which was mounted below the headlights to connect them as in 1931) was not used, but the horizontal monogram bar was retained
  • Dual horns, projecting through the headlight stanchions, have right angle trumpets
  • Dual rear lights were used

I.D. DATA

  • Serial numbers were not used on the 1932 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: 1100001. Ending: 1103290.

STYLE

Fisher 130″ wheelbase
Style No. Doors Body Type Seating Price Weight
32-678 2 Coupe 2/4 $2395 4660 lb
32-668 2 Convertible Coupe 2/4 $2545 4630 lb
32-672 2 Town Coupe 5 $2545 4595 lb
32-659 4 Sedan 5 $2495 4840 lb

 

Fisher 136″ wheelbase
Style No. Doors Body Type Seating Price Weight
32-652 4 Town Sedan 5 $2645 4895 lb
32-662 4 Sedan 7 $2645 5025 lb
32-663 4 Imperial Sedan 7 $2795 5065 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: 5.38 : 1 (5.70: 1, 5.20: 1 optional)
  • Brake Horsepower: 115 @ 3000 rpm
  • SAE/Taxable/NACC Horsepower: 36.45
  • Main bearings: 3
  • Valve lifters: mechanical
  • Carburetor: Cadillac/Johnson

CHASSIS

Wheelbase 130 inches 136 inches
Overall length 204 inches 210 inches
Front tread 59-7/8 inches 59-7/8 inches
Rear tread 61 inches 61 inches
Tires 7.00 x 17 7.00 x 17

DRIVETRAIN

  • Selective synchromesh transmission
  • Speeds: 3-Forward, 1-Reverse
  • Left-hand drive, center controls (rhd opt)
  • Twin disc clutch selective vacuum-activation
  • Shaft drive (torque tube) 3/4-floating rear axle, spiral bevel drive
  • Overall ratio: 4.36:1 4.60:1
  • Mechanical brakes on four wheels (15″ drums on all wheels)
  • Wire wheels std (demountable wood wheels opt.)
  • Wheel size: 17″ drop center

OPTIONS

  • Auxiliary lights: $37.50-57.50
  • Colored fender set: $50.00
  • Five demountable wood wheel: $30.00
  • Full covers for wire wheels: $10.00
  • Heater: $37.50-47.50
  • Heron or Goddess ornament: $20.00
  • Mirrors: $8.00-16.00 each
  • Radio: price on application
  • Seat covers: $26.50-73.50
  • Six demountable wood wheels with wells and rack: $166.00
  • Six wire wheels with fender wells and trunk rack: $130.00
  • Tire cover(s): $5.00-20.00 each
  • Tonneau shield: $185.00
  • Trunks: $100.00-180.00
  • Wind wings: $25.00-47.50

HISTORICAL NOTES

1932 LaSalle Notes

  • Introduced January 1932
  • Model year sales: 3290
  • Model year production: 3290
  • Lawrence P. Fisher was president
  • Ernest W. Seaholm was chief engineer
  • J. C. Chick was general sales manager

1932 Automotive Notes

  • Industry production dropped another million to 1,186,185 cars and 245,284 trucks
  • Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. was president of GM
  • Lammot du Pont was chairman of the board at GM
  • Ford introduces its 221-cid V-8
  • V-12 engines popular among upper level models: Auburn, Cadillac, Franklin, Lincoln, Packard, Pierce-Arrow
  • Studebaker introduces the Rockne
  • Hudson launches the Essex Terraplane
  • Vacuum-actuated clutches appear on Buick, Cadillac, Chrysler, DeSoto, Dodge, and LaSalle
  • Most makes feature free-wheeling
  • Inside sunvisors become more popular than outside sunvisors
  • Automatic chokes appear on Oldsmobile and Packard
  • Fred Duesenberg (1876-1932) dies
  • Alexander Winton dies (a pioneer automaker with many innovative automobile patents)
  • Ray A. Graham (1887-1932) dies (with brothers Joseph and Robert known for the Graham-Paige cars)
  • Hugh Chalmers dies (founded Chalmers Motor Car Company)
  • This is last year for the L-29 Cord
  • Nash introduces the Ambassador Eight
  • William S. Knudsen is general manager of Pontiac
  • Top model year production for 1932
    1. Chevrolet 313,404 … decreased 306,000
    2. Ford 210,824 … decreased over 404,000
    3. Plymouth 83,910 … decreased 23,000
    4. Buick 56,790 … decreased 82,000
    5. Pontiac 45,340 … decreased 39,000 units
    6. Essex 32,285 … decreased 15,000
    7. Nash 30,834 … decreased 6,500
    8. Willys 27,800 … decreased 63,000
    9. Dodge 27,555 … decreased 38,000
    10. Chrysler 25,699 … decreased 40,000
    11. Studebaker 25,618 … decreased 70,000
    12. DeSoto 24,896 … decreased 7700
    13. Rockne 22,715 …
    14. Oldsmobile 18,846 … decreased 28,000
    15. Packard 16,613 … increased 1,000
    16. Reo 15,716 … increased 9,000
    17. Graham 12,967 … decreased 15,000
    18. Auburn 11,646 … decreased 15,000
    19. Hupmobile 10,476 … decreased 7,000
    20. Hudson 7,777 … decreased 14,000
    21. Cadillac 4,698 … decreased 10,000
    22. American Austin 3,846 … increased 2567
    23. Lincoln 3,749 … increased 200
    24. LaSalle 3,386 … decreased 7,000
    25. Pierce-Arrow 2,234 … decreased 2,000
    26. Franklin 1,900 … decreased 900

1932 LaSalle Photo Gallery