Solid Barn Find/322ci V8/3-Speed Manual/Great Art Deco Styling/Delco AM Radio

1939 LaSalle Series 50 Touring Sedan

For your consideration, a 1939 LaSalle Series 50 touring sedan.  This car would be put firmly in the category of barn find as it truly is a time capsule.  It has cracking and crazing on the paint, some dimpling on the chrome, but the body is rust free as is the underlying steel structure which is still very much intact.  The engine has not run in many years, and the interior is preserved as it came from the factory, although it will need some TLC to get her back up to full bore snuff.

Exterior
Harley Earl's work with the LaSalle resulted in a graceful vehicle, led by an elegantly thin grille that now concealed the previously exposed radiator, which was shared with Cadillac and Pontiac.  Earl's other contribution was the modern, airplane-styled, waterfall side panels in the grille next to the vertical covering, horizontal chromed ribs within the hood cowl and the full body running trim spear.  All bodies were now made by Fleetwood, and we can see this car has the optional vent windows which were initially called “No Draft Individually Controlled Ventilation” later renamed "Ventiplanes" on the door glass setup.  Body panels are all steel, no rust and fairly straight, all bathed in dark blue.  This paint is showing some cracking, crazing, scratches and minor dents and dings.  A single large bullet styled cased headlight hangs from either side of the grille, and just below are wonderfully bodacious rounded front fenders that include the curved vertical ribbed grille flanking.  These run to the doors where they create a running board, which connects to a rear fender slightly jutting from the rear quarter panel.  These fenders frame red steel wheels with chrome trim rings at the edges, and a central badged moon cap in wonderful chrome.  The long hood makes its way to a split windscreen, and a full metal top which curves to the back of the car, where it undulates into the  humped trunk lid design.  The rear fenders are elongated and house a tail light at the back of the bulbous shaped rear quarters.  In front and on back is a large wide chromed bumper to contrast the back and bring your eye to the bottom of the car's design.  The rear bumper is badged with black LaSalle in grandmother's handwriting. 

Interior
A swing of the single door on either side shows art deco styled stitched edging on felted door panels that house patina chromed knobs and cranks.  A long split back solid seat bench sits within a deep tub and is covered in tan fuzzy broadcloth which is slightly soiled but unworn through in any areas.  There is some tan piping on the edges to add additional depth.  In back is a beautiful what looks like a restored rear bench complete with armrests and inserted ash receptacles.  Up front a factory dash has a horizontal gauge cluster which sits under a black wood veneered dash top.  It is peeling just a bit and shows some cracks.  The lower dash switches between wood veneer panels under the speedometer, and for the glovebox door for the passenger, and a central ribbed and badged chromed panel that has a few nicely aged cream bakelite buttons on its bottom.  The original steering wheel is in and it shows some crack off of the exterior finish, and is banjo styled center and a large tan painted horn button.  On the driver's right is a nifty old Delco Tone Sensitivity radio mounted to the column.  It is truly one of the highlights of this old example of early luxury motoring.  Gray carpeting covers the floors, and above is a slightly stained headliner. 

Drivetrain
Under the cowled hood, sits a factory 322ci V8.  It has a massive air cleaning system on top covering a single 2-barrel carburetor.  On back is a 3-speed manual transmission, and way backs the 3.77 rear axle.  The engine bay is in patinaed and unrestored barn find condition.  This engine turns by hand, but has not  actually ran in many years.

Undercarriage
All original black painted steel X frame and floor pans, there are very slight areas of minor surface rust, but it is unremarkable.  Independent coil spring front suspension is on and in back leaf springs.  Drum braking is on all 4 corners.

Right out of the late 1930's and GM's answer to a market which they felt was left untapped between the Buick and the Cadillac, it filled the niche for many years until the division's demise in 1940.  This truly original barn find is ripe for the restoration bay, and shows some mid level luxury from the end of the 1930's.

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.