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Dream Car Giveaway

 

1938 LASALLE

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

Fisher 124" Wheelbase
Style No.DoorsBody TypeSeatingPriceWeight
38-5027 2Sport Coupe 2 $12953745 lb
38-5067 2Convertible Coupe 2 $14153735 lb
38-5049 4Convertible Sedan 5 $18203870 lb
38-5011 2Touring Sedan 5 $13403800 lb
38-5019 4Touring Sedan 5 $13803830 lb

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: 7.00x16

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. Chevrolet465,158 ... decreased 350,000
    2. Ford410,263 ... decreased 532,000
    3. Plymouth279,338 ... decreased 272,000
    4. Buick168,689 ... decreased 53,000
    5. Dodge114,529 ... decreased 80,000
    6. Pontiac97,139 ... decreased 139,000
    7. Oldsmobile85,045 ... increased 5,000
    8. Packard55,718 ... decreased 67,000
    9. Chrysler52,949 ... decreased 53,000
    10. Hudson50,270 ... increased 30,000
    11. Studebaker46,787 ... decreased 51,000
    12. Nash41,542 ... decreased 35,000
    13. DeSoto38,831 ... decreased 43,000
    14. Lincoln19,626 ... decreased 11,000
    15. LaSalle14,635 ... decreased 17,000
    16. Willys13,500 ... decreased 50,000
    17. Cadillac9,268 ... decreased 4,884
    18. Graham5,020 ... decreased 13,000
    19. Hupmobile2,001 ...
    20. American Bantam2,000 ...

PHOTOS

1938 LaSalle

1938 LaSalle

1938 LaSalle

1938 LaSalle Series 50 2-door

1938 LaSalle

1938 LaSalle

LITERATURE & LINKS