LaSalle (1938)

LaSalle Models & History (1938)

The Series 38-50 replaced the Series 37-50

• The 1938 LaSalle was much the same as the 1937 model with only a few changes
• The most notable change was that the front-opening “alligator” hood and the column gearshift common to the full Cadillac line.
• The grille remained eggcrate style but was two inches wider.
• Hood louvers were longer and more visible, due to the fact that the headlights were mounted low, on the sheet metal between the fenders and the grille.
• Chevrons were deleted from the nose of the front fenders
• If used, sidemount covers were hinged on the fenders
• Horns were mounted just behind the grille
• The battery was under the hood on the right-hand side but was removed from under the fender.

I.D. DATA

• Serial numbers were on the left frame side bar, at the rear of the left front motor support
• Engine numbers were the same as the serial number and were located on the crankcase, just behind the left cylinder block
• Starting: 2270001; ending 2285501

STYLE

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: 125 @ 3400 rpm
• Taxable Horsepower: 36.45
• Main bearings: three
• Valve lifters: Hydraulic
• Carburetor: Stromberg AAV-25, Carter WDO392s

CHASSIS

• Wheelbase: 124 inches (160″ commercial)
• Overall length: 201 inches
• Front tread: 58 inches
• Rear tread: 59 inches
• Tires: 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
• Disc wheels
• Wheel size: 16″

OPTIONS

• Automatic battery filler: $7.50
• Clock: $12.50
• Flexible steering wheel: $15.00
• Foglights: $17.50/pair
• Heater: $26.50-42.50
• Radio (master): $79.50
• Radio (standard): $65.00
• Seat cover(s): $7.50 per seat
• Spotlight: $18.50
• Trim rings: $1.50 each
• Wheel discs: $4.00 each

HISTORICAL NOTES

1938 LaSalle Notes

• Introduced October 1937
• Model year sales and production: 15,501
• 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

1938 Automotive Notes

• Industry production drops to 2,000,985 cars and 488,100 trucks
• William S. Knudsen was president of GM
• Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. was chairman of the board at GM
• Terraplane becomes a Hudson
• Hupmobile is back in business
• Steering column gearshift lever introduced
• Nash introduces “Weather-Eye” which conditions, heats, and filters air
• Buick and others use coil-spring rear suspension
• Oldsmobile offers side-mounted spare tires for the last time
• Raymond Loewy restyles Studebaker
• GM creates the Y-Job dream car on a 1937 Buick chassis
• Top model year production for 1938
  

  1. Chevrolet	465,158	… decreased 350,000
  2. Ford	410,263	… decreased 532,000
  3. Plymouth	279,338	… decreased 272,000
  4. Buick	168,689	… decreased 53,000
  5. Dodge	114,529	… decreased 80,000
  6. Pontiac	97,139	… decreased 139,000
  7. Oldsmobile	85,045	… increased 5,000
  8. Packard	55,718	… decreased 67,000
  9. Chrysler	52,949	… decreased 53,000
  10. Hudson	50,270	… increased 30,000
  11. Studebaker	46,787	… decreased 51,000
  12. Nash	41,542	… decreased 35,000
  13. DeSoto	38,831	… decreased 43,000
  14. Lincoln	19,626	… decreased 11,000
  15. LaSalle	14,635	… decreased 17,000
  16. Willys	13,500	… decreased 50,000
  17. Cadillac	9,268	… decreased 4,884
  18. Graham	5,020	… decreased 13,000
  19. Hupmobile	2,001	…
  20. American Bantam	2,000	…

1938 LaSalle Photo Gallery

Keyword: LaSalle (1938)