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1931 LASALLE

The Series 345-A replaced the Series 340 this year

  • The straight sill was retained
  • The hood louvers were retained until mid-model when they were replaced by doors, but the cowl doors did not match the hood doors
  • Radiator screen was an option
  • New oval instrument panel featured with a different grouping from the Cadillac 355
  • Single bar bumper is quickest way to distinguish a 1931 Series 345 from the 1930 Series 340.
  • Metal covers installed on the springs
  • Radiator positioned vertical instead of sloping to the rear
  • An intake muffler is installed
  • Three-point engine mounting retained
  • The distributor is 1.5 inches lower than on the Cadillac 355

I.D. DATA

  • Serial numbers were not used on the 1931 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: 900001. Ending: 910103.

STYLE

Fisher 134" wheelbase
Style No.DoorsBody TypeSeatingPriceWeight
31652 4Town Sedan 5 $23454565 lb
31658 2Coupe 2/4$21954470 lb
31659 4Sedan 5 $22954650 lb
31662 4Sedan 7 $24754750 lb
31663 4Imperial Sedan 7 $25954825 lb
31668 2Convertible Coupe 2/4$22954440 lb
31672 2Coupe 5 $22954490 lb

Fleetwood 134" wheelbase
Style No.DoorsBody TypeSeatingPriceWeight
4602 2Roadster 2/4$22454345 lb
4657 4Transformable 7 $23454440 lb
4680 4All-weather Phaeton 5 $32454675 lb
n/a 4Sedanette 5 $32454650 lb
n/a 4Sedanette Cabriolet 5 $32454675 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: 5.35 : 1 (5.25: 1 optional)
  • Brake Horsepower: over 95 @ 3000 rpm
  • SAE/Taxable/NACC Horsepower: 36.45
  • Main bearings: 3
  • Valve lifters: mechanical
  • Carburetor: Cadillac/Johnson with intake silencer

CHASSIS

  • Wheelbase: 134 inches
  • Overall length: 202 inches
  • Height: 72.5 inches
  • Front tread: 57.25 inches
  • Rear tread: 59.5 inches
  • Tires: 6.50 x 19 (7.00 x 18 opt on 7-passenger sedan)

DRIVETRAIN

  • Selective synchromesh transmission
  • Speeds: 3-Forward, 1-Reverse
  • Left-hand drive, center controls (rhd opt)
  • Twin disc clutch
  • Shaft drive (torque tube) 3/4-floating rear axle, spiral bevel drive
  • Overall ratio: 4.75:1 std (4.07:1, 4.54:1 opt)
  • Mechanical brakes on four wheels (15" drums on all wheels)
  • Wood artillery wheels
  • Wheel size: 19"

OPTIONS

  • Auxiliary lights: $37.50-75.00
  • Heater: $41-55
  • Heron or Goddess ornament: $20
  • Mirrors: $32.00/pair
  • Radiator screen: $33
  • Radio: (price on application)
  • Seat covers: $25.75-73.50
  • Tire cover(s): $5-40
  • Tonneau windshield: $185
  • Trunks: $100-119
  • Wind wings: $25.00-47.50

HISTORICAL NOTES

1931 LaSalle Notes

  • Introduced August 1930
  • Model year sales: 10,103
  • Model year production: 10,103
  • Lawrence P. Fisher was president
  • Ernest W. Seaholm was chief engineer
  • J. C. Chick was general sales manager

1931 Automotive Notes

  • Industry production dropped another million to 2,038,183 cars and 434,176 trucks
  • Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. was president of GM
  • Lammot du Pont was chairman of the board at GM
  • Chrysler introduces its first 8-cyl engine
  • Last year for Oakland, but Pontiac continues
  • Studebaker started "free-wheeling" but now it is offered by Auburn, Chrysler, DeSoto, DeVaux, Dodge, Essex, Graham, Hudson, Hupmobile, Lincoln, Marmon, Peerless, Pierce-Arrow, Plymouth, and Willys
  • Startix (a device to restart a stalled engine) is offered on several makes
  • Oldsmobile first to adopt "Synchro-Mesh" transmission
  • Packard and others offer shock-absorber adjustments from the dashboard
  • Last year for the Model A
  • B. B. Ellerbeck patents a retractable hardtop convertible
  • Top model year production for 1931
    1. Chevrolet619,554 ... decreased 21,000
    2. Ford615,455 ... decreased over 525,000
    3. Buick138,965 ... decreased nearly 43,000
    4. Plymouth106,986 ... increased 30,000
    5. Studebaker96,173 ... decreased 27,000
    6. Pontiac84,708 ... increased 22,000 units
    7. Willys65,800 ... increased 36,000
    8. Chrysler65,500 ... decreased 12,000
    9. Dodge52,364 ... decreased 38,000
    10. Essex47,418 ... decreased 21,000
    11. Oldsmobile47,277 ... increased 2,000
    12. Nash37,386 ... decreased 26,000
    13. Auburn36,148 ... increased 22,000
    14. DeSoto32,580 ... about the same as 1930
    15. Graham28,428 ... increased 5,000
    16. Hudson22,246 ... increased 14,000
    17. Hupmobile17,451 ... increased 5,000
    18. Packard15,450 ... decreased 21,000
    19. Cadillac15,196 ... decreased 2,000
    20. Oakland13,408 ... decreased 8,000
    21. Whippet13,400 ... decreased 17,000
    22. LaSalle10,095 ... decreased 5,000
    23. Reo6,762 ... decreased 5,000
    24. Marmon5,687 ... increased 1,000
    25. Pierce-Arrow4,500 ... decreased 5,000
    26. Lincoln3,556 ... about the same as 1930
    27. Franklin2,851 ... decreased 3,000
    28. Cord1,433 ... about the same as 1930
    29. American Austin1,279 ... decreased 7,000

PHOTOS

1931 LaSalle

1931 LaSalle (note the louvers on side of hood)

1931 LaSalle

1931 LaSalle 5-passenger sedan

1931 LaSalle

1931 LaSalle 5-passenger club sedan (note the doors instead of louvers on side of hood)

1931 LaSalle

1931 LaSalle

1931 LaSalle

1931 LaSalle

1931 LaSalle

1931 LaSalle

1931 LaSalle

1931 LaSalle

LITERATURE & LINKS