LaSalle Models & History (1940)
The Series 40-50 and Series 40-52 replaced Series 39-50
- It hardly seems reasonable that LaSalle would introduce a new model to their lineup on the last year of their run.
- The Series 52 “Torpedo” or “Projectile” bodies were also called “Specials”
- At the beginning of 1940, only the coupe and sedan were introduced
- Mid-year a convertible coupe and convertible sedan were added
- The Series 52 had a 45 degree sloping windshield, curved rear window, no belt-line molding, and a rounder, smoother line down rear of body and trunk
- A vacuum-powered top was used on the Series 52 convertible coupe
- Both the Series 52 and 50 featured
- wider spacing of center and side grille bars
- triple vents on hood side panels
- fenders flowing without a valley into the hood
- sealed beam headlights built into the fenders
- parking lights on top of the headlights
- As well, the wheelbase was increased by three inches
I.D. DATA
- Serial numbers were on the left frame side bar, opposite the steering gear
- Engine numbers were the same as the serial number and were located on the crankcase, just behind the left cylinder block, parallel to the dash.
- Series 50 starting: 2320001; ending 2330382
- Series 52 starting: 4320001; ending 4333751
STYLE
Fisher Series 50 123″ Wheelbase | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Style No. | Doors | Body Type | Seating | Price | Weight |
40-5027 | 2 | Coupe | 2 | $1240 | 3700 lb |
40-5067 | 2 | Convertible Coupe | 2 | $1395 | 3805 lb |
40-5011 | 2 | Touring Sedan | 5 | $1280 | 3760 lb |
40-5011-A | 2 | Touring Sedan (STT) | 5 | $—- | —- lb |
40-5029 | 4 | Convertible Sedan | 5 | $1800 | 4000 lb |
40-5019 | 4 | Touring Sedan | 5 | $1320 | 3790 lb |
40-5019-A | 4 | Touring Sedan (STT) | 5 | $—- | —- lb |
40-5019-F | 4 | Touring Sedan (Div) | 5 | $—- | —- lb |
Fisher Series 52 123″ Wheelbase | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Style No. | Doors | Body Type | Seating | Price | Weight |
40-5227C | 2 | Coupe | 2 | $1380 | 3810 lb |
40-5219 | 4 | Touring Sedan | 5 | $1440 | 3900 lb |
40-5229 | 4 | Convertible Sedan | 5 | $1895 | 4110 lb |
40-5267 | 2 | Convertible Coupe | 2 | $1535 | 3915 lb |
ENGINE
- Type: Inline, L-head, 8-cylinders
- Block: Cast iron (blocks cast enbloc with crankcase)
- Bore & Stroke: 3-3/8 x 4.5 inches
- Displacement: 322 cu. in.
- Compression ratio: 6.25:1
- Brake horsepower: 130 @ 3400 rpm
- Taxable Horsepower: 36.45
- Main bearings: three
- Valve lifters: Hydraulic
- Carburetor: Carter WDO460s
CHASSIS
Feature | Series 50 | Series 52 | Series 50 Commercial Chassis |
---|---|---|---|
Wheelbase | 123 inches | 123 inches | 159 inches |
Overall length | 206.75 inches | 210.5 inches | 244-7/8 inches |
Front tread | 58 inches | 58 inches | 58 inches |
Rear tread | 59 inches | 59 inches | 59 inches |
Tires | 7.00×16 | 7.00×16 | 7.00×16 |
DRIVETRAIN
- Transmission: Selective synchromesh (manual)
- Speeds: 3 forward, 1 reverse
- Left-hand drive, gearshift on column (rhd opt)
- Handbrake at left, under panel
- Single plate dry disc clutch
- Shaft drive, Hotchkiss
- Semi-floating rear axle, Hypoid gearing.
- Overall ratio: 3.92:1
- Hydraulic brakes on four wheels
- Slotted disc wheels
- Wheel size: 16″
OPTIONS
HISTORICAL NOTES
1940 LaSalle Notes
- Introduced October 1939
- Series 50 model year sales and production: 10,382
- Series 52 model year sales and production: 13,751
- Last year for LaSalle
- Nicholas Dreystadt was general manager
- Ernest W. Seaholm was chief engineer
- William Mitchell was chief designer (Cadillac Studio)
- Don E. Ahrens was general sales manager
1940 Automotive Notes
- Industry production totals 3,692,328 cars and 777,026 trucks
- William S. Knudsen was president of GM until September when there was a lapse until January
- Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. was chairman of the board at GM
- Oldsmobile offers the first true automatic transmission: Hydra-Matic Drive
- Lincoln Continental is introduced
- Last year for the Lincoln K-series
- Last year for Nash LaFayette
- Last year for Buick Century convertible sedan
- Last year for Cadillac Series 72
- Running boards are enclosed on almost all models. Dodge charges $10 extra for them
- Sealed beam headlights ar the industry standard
- Chrysler develops Safety-Rim wheels that keep the tire on even after a blowout
- Heaters and defrosters common on cars
- Willys shows prototype of the Jeep
- Walter P. Chrysler (1875-1940) dies
- Hudson introduces front coil springs
- Studebaker offers a Coupe-Delivery (car body front with a truck bed in back, echoed in the Ford Ranchero and Chev ElCamino)
- Top model year production for 1940
1. Chevrolet 764,616 … increased 187,000 2. Ford 541,896 … increased 55,000 3. Plymouth 423,155 … increased 6,000 4. Buick 278,784 … increased 70,000 5. Pontiac 217,001 … increased 73,000 6. Dodge 195,505 … increased 116,000 7. Oldsmobile 185,154 … increased 58,000 8. Studebaker 107,185 … increased 21,000 9. Packard 98,020 … decreased 51,000 10. Chrysler 92,419 … increased 20,000 11. Hudson 87,915 … increased 6,000 12. Mercury 81,128 … increase 6,000 13. DeSoto 65,467 … increased 11,000 14. Nash 62,131 … decreased 700 15. LaSalle 24,130 … increased 3,000 16. Lincoln 21,765 … increased 600 17. Willys 21,418 … increased 3,000 18. Cadillac 13,043 … decreased 500 19. Graham 2,000 … decreased 3,000 20. Crosley 422 … decreased 1,600 21. American Bantam 800 … decreased 400
1940 LaSalle Photo Gallery