Pre-war (up to 1942) Trunk hinges for 1939 LaSalle 5019

[39LaSalleDriver]

Does anyone have any good photos of what the trunk hinges look like for this car? I have sadly come to the realization that somewhere along the line, somebody replaced mine with what I believe are Buick hinges (see photo). Thanks.

[Steve Passmore]

I would have thought it should be more like this which is available

[39LaSalleDriver]

Well Steve, I won't say you're wrong...I've seen that type for sale for sure. The problem I have is that it doesn't match what Steele is offering for a gasket for said hinge (note the "stepped" ends in attached photo from Steele). In fact, that's what led to my discovery that I had the wrong hinges. I have a small leak in my trunk lid that I suspect is from a bad gasket on the hinge and I was planning on replacing it. It was then that I noticed that the shape of my hinge is different from the gasket that Steele offers and traced it back to a Buick hinge.

Now I'm not suggesting that Steele is infallible and maybe they have the wrong thing listed for sale. Unfortunately, the Authenticity Manual is silent on the topic, and I can't find any good photos of 39 LaSalle 5019 hinges that tell me what is correct (I have the Companion Car book on order and it may help). The MPL book says that it should be:

Part #s 4089541 (R) and 4089542 (L)

that fit:

37- 5011
      5019
      6019
38- 5011
      5019
      6019S
      6119
39- 5011
      5011A
      5019
      5019A
      5029
      60S
      6119
      6119A
      6129
40- 5011
      5011A
      5019
      5019A
      5029
      60S
      6072

Now this data is all well and good, but I have no idea what they exactly look like so I can make sure I'm buying the right thing. 

I'm also attaching a picture of what is purported to be a 1937 LaSalle hinge (which according to the MPL should be the same) and it does seem to conform to the gasket Steele is selling. Thoughts?

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

Jon, It appears that GM decided to save some $$$ on the trunk hinges in using them for four model years. So I would think that both Steele and your MPB are correct. And the ones that are "available" are not GM. They are probably aftermarket.

[Steve Passmore]

Jon, I probably am wrong and If you re-read what I wrote " thought it should be more like this " The picture is similar to my 41 but the styling is on those lines, much different than the Buick ones. I didn't say it should be like that, only more like that.

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Jon,
I would never use any Steele part as a primary source of information!!
I think you have non Cadillac hinges on your car. Steve is an expert in this era. I have one nice RH hinge available.
Bob

[Steve Passmore]

Can you show a picture of the one you have Bob?   I don't have a 39 anymore for comparison.

[Brad Ipsen CLC #737]

Correct hinge is as pictured below the Steele part.  I have both a 40-60S and 38-90 and both have this style and in early parts book this matches to your model.  Again a warning in general as Bob stated don't use Steele for any parts identification source (they also will not correct errors when pointed out) and Master Parts Book can also be a source of confusion.  The factory especially as the cars got older would list parts that fit but may not have been the original supply on the car.  In this case both are correct.

[Steve Passmore]

There you have it then Jon. Your own picture!

[39LaSalleDriver]

Jon, I probably am wrong and If you re-read what I wrote " thought it should be more like this " The picture is similar to my 41 but the styling is on those lines, much different than the Buick ones. I didn't say it should be like that, only more like that.

Gotcha. You are quite correct about the styling. That should have been my first cue. The Buick ones look nice and all, and apparently fit, but the styling is a bit incongruous with the lines of the car.

Jon,
I would never use any Steele part as a primary source of information!!
I think you have non Cadillac hinges on your car. Steve is an expert in this era. I have one nice RH hinge available.
Bob

Oh absolutely not!  I'm also historical researcher and I never take anything at face value until I can cross source it. As President Ronald Reagan once said "trust but verify."    I just had to have a starting point to see what was going on and Steele provided that. I haven't yet had a problem with items from Steele, but I understand that others have.

Correct hinge is as pictured below the Steele part.  I have both a 40-60S and 38-90 and both have this style and in early parts book this matches to your model.  Again a warning in general as Bob stated don't use Steele for any parts identification source (they also will not correct errors when pointed out) and Master Parts Book can also be a source of confusion.  The factory especially as the cars got older would list parts that fit but may not have been the original supply on the car.  In this case both are correct.

That's the confirmation I was looking for! Thanks to Brad, Steve, Bob, Barry and all who helped me solve this puzzle. I certainly value the expertise that all you bring to the table. Based on the shaping of the hinge in the picture, combined with what Steele was saying was the correct gasket, I suspected I was on the right track. Nice to get confirmation from you guys. I figure if I'm going to have to replace my hinges, I might as well buy the right ones as opposed to dropping money on the wrong ones. Thanks for the offer Bob, but I think I'm going to let it ride for the time being. I'd like to get a pair in one shot just because, and secondly, I've spent my allowance for the next couple of weeks already!    I may well revisit your offer in the near future though.

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Guys & Jon,
The one I had in mind is the one Steve posted. I have seen the type Brad posted, but don't think I have any.
Bob

[Brad Ipsen CLC #737]

The ones that Steve posted are available repo for Chevy's but not a particularly good repo.  There are two lengths on the short side of it.  A short one for sedans and a longer one for coupes and convertibles.  There may be the same thing with the other style but I have not had one of those cars in coupe or convertible style.