40 Lasalle heaters

[Ben Medlock]

Just got an authenticity manual for my 40 5019 Lasalle I'm restoring. Lot's of great information in there and compliments to all who put it together.
One thing in particular really throws me off that I can't figure out. The manual states that the heat system with the under seat heaters was not available on 5019's with fender wells---- my car has dual fender wells with the under seat heaters. The heaters appear to be factory installed. Anyone else found this discrepancy or have any insight on this subject?

[C.R. Patton II]

Hello Ben

Wonderful to hear that you are restoring your LaSalle.

Three guesses on your issue:

(1) Your under seat heaters were a Special Order
(2) Your under seat heaters were a dealer addition
(3) Your additional (6W) wheels were not factory

Your body plate will provide a clue. Please update us on your progress. Thanks

[Ben Medlock]

Thanks for the input. Not sure what on the tag will give me a clue. I've attached a picture of the tag. The thing I'm not sure about is the suffix on the trim code. It's hard to make out but it looks like -W. Any ideas?

[Brad Ipsen CLC #737]

Does your car have the fresh air defroster that goes with the underseat heaters?  That is where the problem is I think.  There is not room for the fresh air vent on the side of the cowl.

[Doug Houston]

Your body pl;ate tells the story. If the car had been equipped with side mounted spares from the factory, there would be a "-6w" at the right bottom corner of the tag.

There is no notation on the body plate, so it means that the car didn't leave the factory with the side mounted spares.

[Ben Medlock]

In addition to the under seat heaters, it has the heater unit that mounts to the firewall with the 3 doors. It's hard to believe someone would have changed the fenders out after production but I guess anythings possible. I still have a ways to go before I'm ready to reinstall heaters-- maybe it will all make since once I get it all hooked back up. It's been 5 years since I disassembled everything.

One more question about the heater. The one that mounts to the firewall---- Is it correct that it is painted brown and has a Cadillac emblem on it? It appears all the other painted parts on the inside get painted Hermes Gray. Seems a little odd to have a brown heater with Gray trim.
Thanks for the input.

[markl]

Ben,
I probably should wait to see if someone else will reply that actually has a 40.  But I will tell you that my 37 LaSalle,  (a 5019) also has a brown heater emblazoned w/ a Cadillac emblem.  The color does not match the other interior trim color, but seemed real close to rattle can brown hammer-tone (I forget which brand now).

So I'd bet this is original, and unless someone else has recently re-done theirs, you might just want to try some rattle can samples and see if you can match what is on there now.

Mark Lowery, CLC#25216