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
Keyword: LaSalle (1932)