Author Topic: 1940 LaSalle with side mount Spares. How Many were made? (Read 5153 times)

Tom Knoebel · « **on:** August 22, 2012, 08:15:10 AM »

I have recently purchased a collection of 2 complete 1940 LaSalle's and a third dismantled car of parts. The one car is a complete partially restored dual side mount car. How many of these cars were made? It will take me several months to sort the parts. Then I will be offering parts for sale. Please no inquiries for parts at this time.

Tom Knoebel · « **Reply #1 on:** August 22, 2012, 09:16:17 PM »

Do not know why the engine is red?

Tom Knoebel · « **Reply #2 on:** August 22, 2012, 09:18:09 PM »

This is the only rot I have found on this car.

Tom Knoebel · « **Reply #3 on:** August 26, 2012, 06:21:36 AM »

The side mount covers have full caps with a center mount clip/bolt. All photo's of this model i have been looking at have script on the side mounts. Why is there a discrepancy?

Bruce Berghoff -#1476 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 26, 2012, 06:52:10 PM »

Hey Tom...That sheet metal cover looks to me like a 1937 Cadillac or LaSalle cover that has been fitted with a 1940 chrome wheel cover . Could it be that the inside diameter of the '37 coincidently happened to match up with the outside diameter of the '40 wheel cover and some owner with great ingenuity put the two together ? You might have inherited a whole new design trend !

Bruce Berghoff -#1476 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 26, 2012, 09:46:45 PM »

Tom...You might check the condition of the bottom edge of the sidemount cover to see if it shows evidence of having been cut to fit the fender of the LaSalle. You might also check the backside to see if the center disc was cut out of the sidemount cover, and if it wasn't...if it appears as if some fasteners for what might have been a stainless steel decorative trim band has been removed from the front of the sidemount cover in a circular layout a little smaller diameter than the outside diameter of the wheel cover? Both of those items might indicate a '37 sidecover was modified to accept the '40 wheel cover. bb

Bob Hoffmann CLC#96 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 26, 2012, 10:21:23 PM »

Tom,
To answer your question, side mounts are VERY rare on 39's & 40's.
Look at the data plate on the car with the S/M fenders. Does it say 6W in the lower RH corner?
Bruce, I agree with your idea.
Tom, a pic of the back of the covers would be worth a thousand words.
Bob

Tom Knoebel · « **Reply #7 on:** August 27, 2012, 07:14:53 PM »

Bruce and Bob thank you. I will take photo's of the back soon. I will get the rest of the car in a few weeks to check the model tag for the 6w.

Tom Knoebel · « **Reply #8 on:** August 28, 2012, 06:07:50 PM »

Cover Pics.

C.R. Patton II · « **Reply #9 on:** August 28, 2012, 06:50:44 PM »

Hello Mr. Knoebel

Glad to hear you are working on your LaSalle.

Mr. Berghoff has extensive experience with Cadillac's and LaSalle's. Mr. Hoffman is a walking encyclopedia on the standard of the world. The photographs you display do not depict sidemount fenders for either a 1939 or 1940 LaSalle. I have the last 1939 LaSalle C4D which is a factory built 6W vehicle.

If I can assist you with your restoration please do not hesitate to ask.

Tom Knoebel · « **Reply #10 on:** August 29, 2012, 06:14:45 AM »

C.R. above in jpg.7 You can see the side mount cavity in the fender. The side mount cover has a loose rivet clip? in the center.
Thank You
Tom

The trim tag is not indicating 6w.
Trim 30-D
30 is Bedford Gray
D is the package 5 or 6 Wheel, Flexible wheel, automatic lighter, license frames, wheel disks.
Am I correct?

Tom Knoebel · « **Reply #11 on:** September 04, 2012, 03:54:25 PM »

How am I doing with reading the trim tag?

Bob Hoffmann CLC#96 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 04, 2012, 06:18:19 PM »

Tom,
You just sent us an anomaly. I've seen 100's of data plates, but not one with the big "D". They never put the packages on the data plates. Can CR or someone else solve this? I'm really curious. The final word would be to requst a factory invoice. Costs $50. Do you know how to do it?
HTH, Bob

C.R. Patton II · « **Reply #13 on:** September 05, 2012, 06:00:40 AM »

Hello Tom

I would like to view an enhanced photograph of the body plate to decode the factory identity of your LaSalle.

According to Matt Larson's tedious research in the wonderful text, "LaSalle Cadillac's Companion Car", p.310 #2 Of the 21,799 factory built LaSalle production cars , only two had a single right hand sidemount and 226 were equipped with dual sidemounts. Additional commercial chassis and CKD export Sedans were equipped with sidemounts.

For 1940 Series 50 page 345 #9 it was the last year of the sidemount fenders as an option on Cadillac motorcars. Of the 9321 Series 50 LaSalle passenger cars built, only 161 were ordered with sidemounts - their time had passed. There were none on the series 5011/5011A; 147 on the 5019; one 5019A; three 5027; four 5029 and six 5067 cars shipped with sidemounts. Sidemount fenders were not an option for the Series 52 LaSalles.

We are very fortunate to benefit from the toil of Ron Van Gelderen and Matt Larson. Gratitude gentlemen.

Tom Knoebel · « **Reply #14 on:** September 05, 2012, 05:52:57 PM »

The link below is the 1940 LaSalle Package at the Heritage site.

http://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-heritage-archive/docs/Cadillac/1940_LaSalle_VVI.pdf

or if this link does not work

http://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-heritage-archive/vehicle-information-kits.html

But you will have to sort through the makes.

I will send off for the verification package. Also there is a 1940 LaSalle with dual side mounts on line from a dealer in the Mid West I will email him to please forward a photo of the trim tag.

The trim tag I have posted is expandable for a closer look.

Thank You all in this pursuit. I will more than likely part with this car to a good home for I do not have the resources to do it justice or the climate control living here at the beach.

Tom Knoebel · « **Reply #15 on:** October 26, 2012, 07:22:34 AM »

Quote from: Bob Hoffmann CLC#96 on September 04, 2012, 06:18:19 PM

Tom,
You just sent us an anomaly. I've seen 100's of data plates, but not one with the big "D". They never put the packages on the data plates. Can CR or someone else solve this? I'm really curious. The final word would be to requst a factory invoice. Costs $50. Do you know how to do it?
HTH, Bob

I finally received my in from the Heritage Society.
Tom

Tom Knoebel · « **Reply #16 on:** October 27, 2012, 10:03:54 AM »

This Build sheet indicates 40-5011 a 2 Door 5 Pass Touring Sedan.
One more dilemma my engine number 2329081 does not match the frame number 2325559? On my 39 LaSalle they match. I assumed the chassis matched the title I have.
Also sorting some items and found under the seat in the heater fan a display tag from AACA Royal Palm Region. Owner Edwin Roller . Is this name familiar.
I guess I am sending to GM again for chassis 2325559
Below is a side mount photo from GM.

Tom Knoebel · « **Reply #17 on:** November 04, 2012, 09:30:11 PM »

This is the final piece of the puzzle. Below is the invoice for the chassis of my car. It appears that the D on the Body tag does indicate option group D as invoiced. The invoice indicates 5 wheel, so passenger side side mount only. The engine is from a 6wheel 2 door sedan explaining the source of the drivers side mount So I have a MULE!

I just reread CR's post. Is this one of 2 chassis for 5 wheel?

Bob Hoffmann CLC#96 · « **Reply #18 on:** November 04, 2012, 09:44:32 PM »

Tom,
Thanks for posting the invoice. As we discussed, someone mounted the side mts. & engine from the donor car.
However, 5 wheels means 4 wheels on the ground & one in the trunk. A RH side mount would show on the invoice.
Again, I've never seen a group # shown on the invoice & it would have nothing to do with the side mount hubcap configuration as the car had none.
HTH, Bob

Tom Knoebel · « **Reply #19 on:** November 04, 2012, 10:00:02 PM »

Bob, I see the second invoice does not indicate fender wells. Tom