How many Series 50 1939 LaSalle's were made?

[ChaseN1]

Dose anyone know how many series 50 1939 LaSalle's where made

[Steve Passmore]

If you believe the engine numbers for that years which ran from 2290001 to 2313028 that would make production of all body styles at 23,027

[las39]

Strange, Mine is from Jan 13 and #10,869. If they build so many in 2 weeks, they would finish the total in before Feb ?

[Steve Passmore]

Strange, Mine is from Jan 13 and #10,869. If they build so many in 2 weeks, they would finish the total in before Feb ?

2 weeks??   They start building late the year before something like September I believe, they don't start on the 1st of January so yours was well into production, nearly half way.

[las39]

Alright in September, does that mean they finish around summer and start the 40 model after vacation?

[C.R. Patton II]

Hello Chase

Glad you are interested in LaSalle manufacturing patterns.

Mo is correct.  Generally speaking Cadillac started new model production in September and ended in June of the following year.  There were numerous factors that influenced this pattern.  Some were design changes, material/parts and manpower shortages.  In the summer there was a period called changeover.  This is when design and machinery changes were made for the upcoming model year.  Also this changeover period was factory worker vacation time.

Additionally dealers would typically prompt regular customers to order the "new Cadillac or LaSalle" to stimulate sale volume.  In 1940 GM executives examined the Cadillac vs LaSalle sale numbers, and informed Harley Earl that due to LaSalle outselling Cadillac it would be "best" to terminate the companion car LaSalle and rebadge it as 1941 Cadillac.

Chase I would implore you and anyone yearning for knowledge to go to our homepage to acquire LaSalle : Cadillac's Companion Car book by Ron Van Gelderen and Matt Larson.  This text is full of the history of the best Cadillac models that were designed and produced from 1927-1940.

[ChaseN1]

Hello Chase

Glad you are interested in LaSalle manufacturing patterns.

Mo is correct.  Generally speaking Cadillac started new model production in September and ended in June of the following year.  There were numerous factors that influenced this pattern.  Some were design changes, material/parts and manpower shortages.  In the summer there was a period called changeover.  This is when design and machinery changes were made for the upcoming model year.  Also this changeover period was factory worker vacation time.

Additionally dealers would typically prompt regular customers to order the "new Cadillac or LaSalle" to stimulate sale volume.  In 1940 GM executives examined the Cadillac vs LaSalle sale numbers, and informed Harley Earl that due to LaSalle outselling Cadillac it would be "best" to terminate the companion car LaSalle and rebadge it as 1941 Cadillac.

Chase I would implore you and anyone yearning for knowledge to go to our homepage to acquire LaSalle : Cadillac's Companion Car book by Ron Van Gelderen and Matt Larson.  This text is full of the history of the best Cadillac models that were designed and produced from 1927-1940.

Alright, thanks for the information you guys!

[las39]

Thanks Passmore and Chuck for the planning explanation. How stressful it must have been for Fisher to get all the die tools ready in the warmest months of the year.