LaSalle (1937)

LaSalle Models & History (1937)

The Series 37-50 replaced the 36-50

• There were only minor body changes
• Die-cast eggcrate grille
• Hood louver treatment featuring rectangular lines
• Headlights attached lower on the radiator casing
• New front fenders with higher rear halves and a lengthwise crease along the top surface
• Bumpers carrying the LaSalle insignia
• Entire rear quarter window pivoted
• Windshields had a 39 degree slope and a deeper vee
• 1937 LaSalle bodies were constructed entirely of steel
• The line now included a convertible sedan
• The big change for 1937 was the return to a V-8 engine — the 322-cubic inch unit was the same as used in the 1936 Cadillac Series 60
• The engine shared all the changes made in other 1937 Cadillac V-8s.
• Unique to the LaSalle and the Cadillac Series 60 was the relocation of the exhaust down-pipe to the front of the right-hand cylinder block and the use of a single muffler
• Chassis changes, common to LaSalle and Cadillac Series 60 included use of hypoid rear axle, addition of front stabilizer bar, new steering box with shaft out of bottom
• A LaSalle commercial chassis with 160-3/8 inch wheelbase was offered. This, and all Cadillac commercial chassis, featured one-piece side rails in the frame

I.D. DATA

• Serial numbers were on the top surface of the frame side bar, left side, just ahead of the dash
• Engine numbers were the same as the serial number and were located on the crankcase, just behind the left cylinder block
• Starting: 2230001; ending 2262005

STYLE

ENGINE

• Type: Inline, L-head, 8-cylinders
• Block: Cast iron (blocks cast enbloc with crankcase)
• Bore & Stroke: 3.00 x 4.375 inches
• Displacement: 248 cu. in.
• Compression ratio: 6.25:1 (5.75:1 opt)
• Brake horsepower: 105 @ 3600 rpm
• Taxable Horsepower: 28.8
• Main bearings: five
• Valve lifters: Mechanical
• Carburetor: Stromberg EE-15 Duplex downdraft

CHASSIS

• Wheelbase: 124 inches (160-3/8″ commercial)
• Overall length: 201-1/4 inches (237-7/8″ commercial)
• Front tread: 58 inches
• Rear tread: 59 inches
• Tires: 7.00×16

DRIVETRAIN

• Transmission: Selective synchromesh
• Speeds: 3 forward, 1 reverse
• Left-hand drive, center controls (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
• Disc wheels
• Wheel size: 16″

OPTIONS

• Flexible steering wheel: $15.00
• Heater: $19.50-60.00
• Radio (master): $79.50
• Radio (standard): $59.50
• Seat covers: 7.50 each
• Sidemount cover(s): $15.00-17.50
• Trim rings: $1.50 each
• Wheel discs: $4.00 each

HISTORICAL NOTES

1937 LaSalle Notes

• Introduced November 1936
• Model year sales: 32,005
• Model year production: 32,005
• 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

1937 Automotive Notes

• Industry production rises slightly to 3,915,889 cars and 893,085 trucks
• Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. was president of GM until May when William S. Knudsen became president
• Lammot du Pont was chairman of the board at GM until May when Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. became chairman of the board
• Oldsmobile introduces a semi-automatic called Safety Automatic Transmission
• This is the last year for Cord
• LaFayette becomes the Nash
• Pierce-Arrow files for bankruptcy
• Chrysler features a seat that not only moves back and forth, but also up and down
• Studebaker features windshield washers
• Buick features the first steering-wheel horn ring
• Chevrolet introduces the Master and Master DeLuxe
• A Ford V-8 wins the Monte Carlo Rally
• Top model year production for 1937
  

  1. Ford	942,005	… increased 11,000
  2. Chevrolet	815,375	… decreased 103,000
  3. Plymouth	551,994	… increased 31,000
  4. Dodge	295,047	… increased over 32,000
  5. Pontiac	236,189	… increased 60,000 units
  6. Buick	220,346	… increased 52,000
  7. Oldsmobile	79,830	… decreased 111,000
  8. Packard	122,593	… (doubled) an increase of 61,566
  9. Chrysler	106,120	… increased 47,000
  10. Studebaker	98,000	… increased 42,000
  11. Terraplane	90,253	… increased 3,000
  12. DeSoto	81,775	… (doubled) an increase of 41,000
  13. Nash	77,000	… increased 34,000
  14. Willys	63,467	… (doubled) an increase of 32,000
  15. LaSalle	32,000	… (doubled plus) an increase of 19,000
  16. Lincoln	30,875	… (doubled) an increase of 14,000
  17. Hudson	20,464	… decreased 6,000
  18. Graham	18,219	… decreased 1,000
  19. Cadillac	14,152	… increased 1,272

1937 LaSalle Photo Gallery

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