LaSalle Models & History (1933)

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

  • The 1933 LaSalle had most of the features of the Cadillac
  • New this year are the following:
    • radiator grille and shell
    • skirted fenders
    • no draft ventilation
    • vacuum assisted brakes
  • The LaSalle had four horizontal hood doors instead of six for the Cadillac
  • The bumper and lights were the same as the 1932 model
  • The monogram bar was dropped and a hidden fender tie-bar was installed
  • One Fleetwood model (a Town Coupe) was back in the lineup
  • Prices dropped

I.D. DATA

  • Serial numbers were not used on the 1933 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: 2000001. Ending: 2003381.

STYLE

Fisher 130″ wheelbase
Style No. Doors Body Type Seating Price Weight
33-659 4 Sedan 5 $2245 4805 lb
33-668 2 Convertible Coupe 2/4 $2395 4675 lb
33-672 2 Town Coupe 5 $2395 4695 lb
33-678 2 Coupe 2/4 $2245 4730 lb

 

Fisher 136″ wheelbase
Style No. Doors Body Type Seating Price Weight
33-652 4 Town Sedan 5 $2495 4915 lb
33-662 4 Sedan 7 $2495 4990 lb
33-663 4 Imperial Sedan 7 $2645 5020 lb

 

Fleetwood 136″ wheelbase
Style No. Doors Body Type Seating Price Weight
5281 2 Town Coupe 5 $—- —- 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: 5.4 : 1 (5.71: 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 with vacuum assist (15″ drums on all wheels)
  • Wire wheels std (demountable wood wheels opt.)
  • Wheel size: 17″ drop center

OPTIONS

  • Draft deflector for convertible coupe: $35.00/pair
  • Dual pilot ray light: $44.50
  • Five demountable wood wheels
  • Heater (hot air or hot water)
  • Luggage sets: $37.00-110.00
  • Mirrors
  • Radio (Imperial): $74.50
  • Radio (standard): $64.50
  • Seat covers: $10.00/seat
  • Sidemount covers
  • Six demountable wood wheels with fender wells
  • Six wire wheels with fender wells
  • Spotlight (Lorraine): $24.50
  • “Torpedo” ornament: $20.00
  • Trunks with luggage: $104.00-180.00
  • Wheel discs (body color ): $12.00 each
  • Wheel discs (chrome): $10.00 each

HISTORICAL NOTES

1933 LaSalle Notes

  • Introduced new model on January 1933
  • Introduced Fisher no-draft individually controlled ventilation
  • Model year sales: 3381
  • Model year production: 3381
  • Lawrence P. Fisher was president
  • Ernest W. Seaholm was chief engineer
  • J. C. Chick was general sales manager

1933 Automotive Notes

  • Industry production rises slightly to 1,627,361 cars and 358,548 trucks
  • Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. was president of GM
  • Lammot du Pont was chairman of the board at GM
  • Continental is the only new automobile
  • Reo introduces a semi-automatic transmission–the “Self-Shifter”
  • Power-assisted brakes become available
  • Innovations: valve-seat inserts, independent front suspension, and reflex glass taillights
  • The first drive-in theater opens in Camden, NJ
  • Roy Chapin is president of Hudson again
  • Studebaker goes into receivership and its chairman Albert R. Erskine resigns
  • Alfred Sloan, GM president, combines Chevrolet and Pontiac manufacturing to cut costs
  • Sloan merges Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac sales division so dealers must sell all three
  • Stutz suffers financially
  • After bankruptcy, Willys-Overland introduces Model 77
  • C. L. McCuen is president of Oldsmobile
  • Harlow H. Curtice is president of Buick
  • Essex drops all models except the Terraplane
  • Top model year production for 1933
    1. Chevrolet 486,261 … increased 173,000
    2. Ford 334,969 … increased 124,000
    3. Plymouth 298,557 … increased over 214,000
    4. Dodge 106,103 … increased over 78,000
    5. Pontiac 90,198 … increased 45,000 units
    6. Buick 46,924 … decreased 10,000
    7. Essex 38,150 … increased 6,000
    8. Oldsmobile 36,648 … increased 18,000
    9. Chrysler 32,241 … increased 7,000
    10. DeSoto 22,736 … decreased 2,000
    11. Willys 21,191 … decreased 6,000
    12. Nash 14,973 … decreased 15,000
    13. Rockne 13,326 … decreased 9,000
    14. Studebaker 12,531 … decreased 13,000
    15. Graham 10,970 … decreased 2,000
    16. Auburn 8,027 … decreased 3,000
    17. Hupmobile 7,313 … decreased 3,000
    18. Packard 4,803 … decreased 12,000
    19. American Austin 4,726 … decreased 900
    20. Reo 4,112 … decreased 11,000
    21. LaSalle 3,482 … decreased 900
    22. Cadillac 3,173 … decreased 1500
    23. Hudson 2,852 … decreased 5,000
    24. Pierce-Arrow 2,298 … increased 64
    25. Lincoln 1,703 … decreased 2,000
    26. Franklin 1,487 … decreased 400

1933 LaSalle Photo Gallery