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1939 LASALLE

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

Fisher 120" Wheelbase
Style No.DoorsBody TypeSeatingPriceWeight
39-5027 2Coupe 2 $13233635 lb
39-5067 2Convertible Coupe 2 $14753715 lb
39-5011 2Touring Sedan 5 $13583710 lb
39-5011-A2Touring Sedan (STT) 5 $1398---- lb
39-5029 4Convertible Sedan 5 $18983780 lb
39-5019 4Touring Sedan 5 $18953740 lb
39-5019-A4Touring Sedan (STT) 5 $1438---- lb
39-5019-F4Touring Sedan (Div) 5 $-------- 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: 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: 7.00x16

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
  • 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. Chevrolet577,278 ... increased 112,000
    2. Ford487,031 ... increased 77,000
    3. Plymouth417,529 ... increased 138,000
    4. Buick208,259 ... increased 41,000
    5. Pontiac144,340 ... increased 47,000
    6. Oldsmobile127,227 ... increased 42,000
    7. Studebaker85,834 ... increased 39,000
    8. Hudson81,521 ... increased 31,000
    9. Dodge79,600 ... decreased 35,000
    10. Mercury75,000 ...
    11. Chrysler72,443 ... increased 19,000
    12. Nash62,854 ... increased 21,000
    13. DeSoto54,449 ... increased 17,000
    14. Packard46,405 ... decreased 9,000
    15. Lincoln21,134 ... increased 1,500
    16. LaSalle21,127 ... increased 8,000
    17. Willys17,839 ... increased 4,000
    18. Cadillac13,581 ... increased 4,313
    19. Graham5,392 ... increased 372
    20. Crosley2,017 ...
    21. American Bantam1,200 ... decreased 800
    22. Hupmobile1,035 ... decreased 966

PHOTOS

1939 LaSalle

1939 LaSalle

1939 LaSalle

1939 LaSalle

1939 LaSalle

1939 LaSalle

1939 LaSalle

1939 LaSalle

1939 LaSalle

1939 LaSalle

1939 LaSalle

1939 LaSalle model 5027 Opera coupe (Owner: Warren and Sylvia Lauridsen)

1939 LaSalle

1939 LaSalle model 5027 Opera coupe interior (Owner: Warren and Sylvia Lauridsen)

1939 LaSalle

1939 LaSalle model 5027 Opera coupe (Owner: Warren and Sylvia Lauridsen)

LITERATURE & LINKS