The automotive landscape is littered with orphan brands, and many once fell under the General Motors banner: One such nameplate was LaSalle. GM teased a new LaSalle a couple times over the years, including some controversially styled Motorama show cars in 1955 and the first-generation Riviera, which was originally designed as an updated take on the LaSalle name. None of those attempts came to fruition, so all we have left of the brand are memories and nicely restored examples from the first run, such as this 1940 Series 50. It was the last of the LaSalles (so far), and Barn Finds reader Mike F. spotted it on craigslist in Pollok, Texas, with an asking price of $23,500. With a new paint job over original California steel (the owner invites prospective buyers to “bring your magnet”), it doesn’t get much better than this if you are a fan of orphan brands.
LaSalle was introduced at a time when General Motors attempted to add “companion” brands to its portfolio. Some made the cut (Pontiac is the only one to outlast its “parent” brand, Oakland); others, such as Marquette and Viking, lasted only a short time. Originally placed between Buick and Cadillac on the Sloan Ladder, the LaSalle became superfluous as the Buick Roadmaster and Limited crowded it on the lower end. In 1941, after the LaSalle was canceled, Cadillac simply added the Series 61 to take its place, allowing those who wanted a “cheaper” Cadillac to benefit from the exclusivity of the name.
But that doesn’t take anything away from the spectacular 1940 model, with its bold upright grille and luxurious features. The seller says that this Series 50 (the smaller of the two series available) was repainted in June of 2024. It’s had a complete brake job, including wheel and master cylinders, rubber hoses, and springs, in addition to a new wiring harness and a front suspension rebuild. The interior has been refurbished. The wide-whites are new. (This was certainly a labor of love.)
The engine is a version of the flathead Cadillac V8; it has 322 cubic inches and 130 horsepower, all channeled through a three-speed manual and 3.92:1 gears out back. The owner says that it “starts up quickly and easily and drives like new.”
The craigslist ad rightfully points out that you couldn’t restore another one for the price the seller is asking, and that is certainly true. Unfortunately, that means little in the world of automotive buying and selling; therefore, the question becomes this: Is there a buyer looking for an old LaSalle who is willing to pay the asking price? It’s a beautiful car from an era that is becoming less popular in the collector car world, but I’d love for it to find a good home, and I hope someone on Barn Finds falls in love with it.
What a beautiful pre war car! This looks so comfortable. If it had air and a decent stereo, I could cross country in her.
Marquette and Viking? I learn something new every time I come here. LaSalle I heard of. Talk about splitting hairs, was there really room between Cadillac and Buick for another make? Sorry, not interested. Just another old car with antiquated technology. But those seats look nice.
Unfortunately, most of the audience for this car has long since passed away. This car should go to a museum, but will likely have to be donated.
Sad but true, nevertheless, sweet ride! Wonder how much of the 23,500 asking price went for paint? 20k drive and have fun?
Boy the way Glenn Miller played
Songs that made the hit parade.
Guys like us we had it made,
Those were the days.
And you knew who you were then,
Girls were girls and men were men,
Mister we could use a man
Like Herbert Hoover again.
Didn’t need no welfare state,
Everybody pulled his weight.
Gee our old LaSalle ran great.
Those were the days…
Archie? That Stem guy is singing our song! 😠 Jeez, Edith stop bein a dingbat. That ain’t our old LaSalle. Some meat head is tryin to pull one! Look, it’s in Pollock! 👩 But Archie… ? 😠 Edith, 😡STIFFLE! 😤. Sorry, sometimes I just can’t help myself! Still crazy 🤪 after all These gears ⚙.
As always, well researched and written, Aaron. Some of us have never heard about the other brands, me in particular.
A beautifully restored car, soon hopefully going to a new home where it’ll be driven and appreciated for its simplicity and 85 year old elegance.
Thank you! GM was trying all kinds of stuff in the late-’20s and early-’30s, and a lot of it didn’t stick.
At first glance, looks like a Packard of the era. Nice car, great condition, a forgotten brand of years ago. Used to see one every so often in the 1950s, early 1960s. Usually owned by bankers, people of means. Asking price is a little high, hopefully negotiable.
I always liked LaSalles. And I certainly would not want a new stereo! I would have the original A.M. radio up and running, and use it. And I would mechanically restore the clock. I have no problem over motoring in a 1940 car. Grey might have been the original colour — but I confess that I don’t care for it. If the car originally wore grey, I would let it be, but this car would look much more elegant in some more interesting colour of the 1940 era — such as a deep green or dark metallic blue, maybe. A green body with black fenders might look good, too. But this shade of grey screams “drab”. And LOSE THOSE BLUE DOTS!!!!!!! Whenever I see those, it’s as bad as turn-off as fuzzy dice or “moon” hub-caps! I would like a car such as this completely “stock” — or else, hard pass.
Harrison, I don’t recall grey ever being an option for this LaSalle, and even if it was why would you spend all that money and repeat the mistake.
What a beautiful old car. Superb condition for a driver. We all know that the market for cars of this era is shrinking. Honestly I believe it will be difficult for the seller to get their asking price. I’d like to own it but I’m just trying to maintain what I already have. I hope it finds a new caretaker. GLWTS.
In 1958, I was 13 and a nearby Dodge dealer had a beautiful 1938 Lasalle Converible out back. I asked what the price was – “for you, kid, $150”. I already owned a ’50 Ford coupe and I asked my parents to let me buy it – “No 13 year old needs 2 cars!” I’d buy this car today, but now it’s not parents but a wife who would veto the purchase.
You only live once. Trade in the wife.
Can’t win for losing eh William? 🤣
To Wayne from Oz: i wouldn’t: that was my point. I saw many 1940 LaSalles, but I never saw one this colour. Wonder what its original colour was? With those red wheel rims, possibly black? Why would you strip an old car down the bare metal, and then paint it a different colour to the one it wore originally?
According to a 1940 Cadillac-LaSalle paint chart, 5 different grays were offered.
Interesting. Still, this colour does not appeal to me at all — sorry