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1937 LASALLE

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

Fisher 124" Wheelbase
Style No.DoorsBody TypeSeatingPriceWeight
37-5011 2Touring Sedan 5 $11053780 lb
37-5019 4Touring Sedan 5 $11453810 lb
37-5049 2Convertible Sedan 5 $14853850 lb
37-5067 2Convertible Coupe 2 $11753715 lb
37-5027 2Sport Coupe 2 $ 9953675 lb

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: 7.00x16

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. Ford942,005 ... increased 11,000
    2. Chevrolet815,375 ... decreased 103,000
    3. Plymouth551,994 ... increased 31,000
    4. Dodge295,047 ... increased over 32,000
    5. Pontiac236,189 ... increased 60,000 units
    6. Buick220,346 ... increased 52,000
    7. Oldsmobile79,830 ... decreased 111,000
    8. Packard122,593 ... (doubled) an increase of 61,566
    9. Chrysler106,120 ... increased 47,000
    10. Studebaker98,000 ... increased 42,000
    11. Terraplane90,253 ... increased 3,000
    12. DeSoto81,775 ... (doubled) an increase of 41,000
    13. Nash77,000 ... increased 34,000
    14. Willys63,467 ... (doubled) an increase of 32,000
    15. LaSalle32,000 ... (doubled plus) an increase of 19,000
    16. Lincoln30,875 ... (doubled) an increase of 14,000
    17. Hudson20,464 ... decreased 6,000
    18. Graham18,219 ... decreased 1,000
    19. Cadillac14,152 ... increased 1,272

PHOTOS

1937 LaSalle

1937 LaSalle Convertible model 5067 (Owner: Ed Gunther)

1937 LaSalle

1937 LaSalle Convertible model 5067 (Owner: Ed Gunther)

LITERATURE & LINKS