1940 Lasalle Conv. Barn Find

[Cadillac Slim]

Just found this after 50 years of barn storage.  All the parts are in boxes.  Not sure the direction I'm heading with it but it's hard to believe with all the internet & TV shows that these diamonds are still out there!

[59-in-pieces]

Darin,
You lucky dog.
I expect barn finds in the middle and Atlantic states, but not in California.  Maybe because those folks have allot of barns, but we don't.
But wait, there are barns up where you live, and you were lucky enough to look in one.
Going through the boxes and sorting out the parts for an inventory should be a great adventure.
Getting the puzzle back together and driving it should be a huge and enjoyable accomplishment.
I hope you follow that path - oh, and post progress pictures if you do.
Have fun,
Steve B.

[gary griffin]

Darin,

   Great find, a 1940 series 50, but from the photo I could not tell if it was a coupe or 4 door convertible. 

   Is it for sale and if so will you be buying it?  A great start for a restoration I think. Let us know how you will be progressing and please start a restoration blog if you do restore it.

[C.R. Patton II]

Hello Darin

It appears that you have found a jewel.  I hope you have the expertise, money and time to put Humpty Dumpty back together again.  Please post more pictures with the vehicle identification number and the body data plate.

We exist to assist.

[Cadillac Slim]

It is a coupe.  I will forward more photos as it gets unearthed.  Not sure it will hit the road anytime soon.  I'm putting the rebuilt motor back in the 53 & have been trying to get the 47 back on the road for years.  Too many projects may force a sale unless I fall in love again. 
I'm just happy I recovered the car before it reached the scrap yard.  Whether I restore it or a fellow car lover does at least she may see sun again.  The motor and transmission are there & there is several boxes of parts.  Until I can sort thru it all & figure out what it needs I won't know what I'm doing with it.

[Cadillac Slim]

Just checked out the car again & it will take a 40 yard dumpster to remove the stuff in front of it.  Hopefully someone can elaborate on this picture

[Cadillac Slim]

Pulled the car out of the barn this weekend & surprisingly found 90% of the car.  2 motors, transmission, driveline, manifolds, carburetor, hub caps, etc. were all there.  There was so much rat & pigeon crap in the car I spent 2 days vacuuming & power washing.  I had to tear the door panels & seats apart to remove all the rats nests & try to get rid of the smell.  To my surprice the car is very solid with minimal patch work.  The trunk lid has a large dent & some rot.  Will this need to be replaced with formed sheet metal or will a coupe trunk lid fit?  The car is in far better condition than I originally thought & I believe its restorable.  How many of these are around & how tough will it be to find parts?  Still trying to figure out what to do with it.  It seems there is very little info on these cars & not much to compare it to.
I also found out the car was parked in 1962.  Pretty amazing.

[gary griffin]

Darin, you have a great car to restore. Of the 13750 LaSalles produced in 1940 yours was the 52nd produced  of 425 total series 50 convertible coupes. 

It is well worth restoring and in prime condition especially for a barn find. Be prepared to invest a lot of time and or a lot of money to do a full restoration but the satisfaction will be well worth it I assure you.

I am pretty sure there will be parts available from coupes and the first thing to do is a careful inventory of the parts needed and post the list in the want to buy section of this forum.

Start a blog in he restoration forum and keep it going with regular pictures and you will receive a lot of advice and kudos also.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Great looking vehicle.

I would be repairing the Trunk Lid.   It doesn't look that bad to me.

Bruce.

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Darin,
I sent you a direct email, but not sure if it went thru. If you did not get it , please respond & I'll resend. Thanks, Bob Hoffmann CLC#96 bobscads@comcast.net

[Cadillac Slim]

Decided to throw the car up on this site only for cash or trade.  Not desperate but looking to deal for the fun of it with other Caddy guys that like to do the same.  Please look at the for sale section if interested.