LaSalle (1939)

LaSalle Models & History (1939)

The Series 39-50 replaced the 38-50

• The 1939 LaSalle had a new tall narrow grille plus waterfall side grilles below the headlights
• The hood louver panel was shorter and did not extend to the front of the hood
• The headlights were attached to the sides of the radiator casing again
• The greenhouse was increased by 25%
• Closed sedans were available with “Sunshine turret Top.”
• Chrome reveals appeared on all windows and the windshield.
• All except the lower front door hinge were concealed.
• Runningboards had become a no cost option
• Chassis changes included
  • Four inch shorter wheelbase
  • tube and fin in place of cellular radiator core
  • vacuum for crankcase ventilation generated by motion of the car rather than by engine intake system
  • new cross-link steering hookup

All these differences really transformed the vehicle. Whatever company your insurance was with, perhaps it was Aviva or someone else, they would have been likely to notice the change in it. Car enthusiasts would definitely have noticed the change in series as well.

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.
• Starting: 2290001; ending 2313028

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: Carter WDO423s

CHASSIS

• Wheelbase: 120 inches (156.5″ commercial)
• Overall length: 202.5 inches (239″ commercial)
• 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
• Slotted disc wheels
• Wheel size: 16″

OPTIONS

• Automatic battery filler: $7.50
• Foglights: $14.50/pair
• Heater: $31.50
• Radio: $69.50
• Seat cover(s): $8.25/seat
• Spotlight: $18.50
• Windshield washer: $5.75

HISTORICAL NOTES

1939 LaSalle Notes

• Introduced October 1938
• Model year sales and production: 23,028
• 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

1939 Automotive Notes

• William S. Knudsen was president of GM
• Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. was chairman of the board at GM
• Powell Crosley, Jr. introduces the Bantam Crosley
• Ford introduces the Mercury
• Studebaker introduces the Champion
• Last year for Packard’s V-12
• Ford finally adopts hydraulic brakes
• Chevrolet introduces a vacuum-operated gearshift
• Chrysler introduces Windsor, New Yorker, and Saratoga
• Chrysler moves headlights into the fenders
• Chrysler introduces a fluid-coupling powertrain (Fluid Drive) for Imperial
• Chrysler develops the “Super-finish” method of mirror-finishing engine or chassis parts with no scratches deeper than 0.0000254mm, which helps cut friction
• Pontiac introduces “Duflex” rear springs with smaller auxiliary leaf springs
• Packard builds marine engines for U.S. Navy PT boats
• White builds Army scout cars
• Top model year production for 1939
  

  1. Chevrolet	577,278	… increased 112,000
  2. Ford	487,031	… increased 77,000
  3. Plymouth	417,529	… increased 138,000
  4. Buick	208,259	… increased 41,000
  5. Pontiac	144,340	… increased 47,000
  6. Oldsmobile	127,227	… increased 42,000
  7. Studebaker	85,834	… increased 39,000
  8. Hudson	81,521	… increased 31,000
  9. Dodge	79,600	… decreased 35,000
  10. Mercury	75,000	…
  11. Chrysler	72,443	… increased 19,000
  12. Nash	62,854	… increased 21,000
  13. DeSoto	54,449	… increased 17,000
  14. Packard	46,405	… decreased 9,000
  15. Lincoln	21,134	… increased 1,500
  16. LaSalle	21,127	… increased 8,000
  17. Willys	17,839	… increased 4,000
  18. Cadillac	13,581	… increased 4,313
  19. Graham	5,392	… increased 372
  20. Crosley	2,017	…
  21. American Bantam	1,200	… decreased 800
  22. Hupmobile	1,035	… decreased 966

1939 LaSalle Photo Gallery

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