LaSalle Models & History (1938)
The Series 38-50 replaced the Series 37-50
- The 1938 LaSalle was much the same as the 1937 model with only a few changes
- The most notable change was that the front-opening “alligator” hood and the column gearshift common to the full Cadillac line.
- The grille remained eggcrate style but was two inches wider.
- Hood louvers were longer and more visible, due to the fact that the headlights were mounted low, on the sheet metal between the fenders and the grille.
- Chevrons were deleted from the nose of the front fenders
- If used, sidemount covers were hinged on the fenders
- Horns were mounted just behind the grille
- The battery was under the hood on the right-hand side but was removed from under the fender.
I.D. DATA
- Serial numbers were on the left frame side bar, at the rear of the left front motor support
- Engine numbers were the same as the serial number and were located on the crankcase, just behind the left cylinder block
- Starting: 2270001; ending 2285501
STYLE
Fisher 124″ Wheelbase | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Style No. | Doors | Body Type | Seating | Price | Weight |
38-5027 | 2 | Sport Coupe | 2 | $1295 | 3745 lb |
38-5067 | 2 | Convertible Coupe | 2 | $1415 | 3735 lb |
38-5049 | 4 | Convertible Sedan | 5 | $1820 | 3870 lb |
38-5011 | 2 | Touring Sedan | 5 | $1340 | 3800 lb |
38-5019 | 4 | Touring Sedan | 5 | $1380 | 3830 lb |
ENGINE
- Type: Inline, L-head, 8-cylinders
- Block: Cast iron (blocks cast enbloc with crankcase)
- Bore & Stroke: 3-3/8 x 4.5 inches
- Displacement: 322 cu. in.
- Compression ratio: 6.25:1
- Brake horsepower: 125 @ 3400 rpm
- Taxable Horsepower: 36.45
- Main bearings: three
- Valve lifters: Hydraulic
- Carburetor: Stromberg AAV-25, Carter WDO392s
CHASSIS
- Wheelbase: 124 inches (160″ commercial)
- Overall length: 201 inches
- Front tread: 58 inches
- Rear tread: 59 inches
- Tires: 7.00×16
DRIVETRAIN
- Transmission: Selective synchromesh (manual)
- Speeds: 3 forward, 1 reverse
- Left-hand drive, gearshift on column (rhd opt)
- Handbrake at left, under panel
- Single plate dry disc clutch
- Shaft drive, Hotchkiss
- Semi-floating rear axle, Hypoid gearing.
- Overall ratio: 3.92:1
- Hydraulic brakes on four wheels
- Disc wheels
- Wheel size: 16″
OPTIONS
HISTORICAL NOTES
1938 LaSalle Notes
- Introduced October 1937
- Model year sales and production: 15,501
- Nicholas Dreystadt was general manager
- Ernest W. Seaholm was chief engineer
- William Mitchell was chief designer (Cadillac Studio)
- Don E. Ahrens was general sales manager
1938 Automotive Notes
- Industry production drops to 2,000,985 cars and 488,100 trucks
- William S. Knudsen was president of GM
- Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. was chairman of the board at GM
- Terraplane becomes a Hudson
- Hupmobile is back in business
- Steering column gearshift lever introduced
- Nash introduces “Weather-Eye” which conditions, heats, and filters air
- Buick and others use coil-spring rear suspension
- Oldsmobile offers side-mounted spare tires for the last time
- Raymond Loewy restyles Studebaker
- GM creates the Y-Job dream car on a 1937 Buick chassis
- Top model year production for 1938
1. Chevrolet 465,158 … decreased 350,000 2. Ford 410,263 … decreased 532,000 3. Plymouth 279,338 … decreased 272,000 4. Buick 168,689 … decreased 53,000 5. Dodge 114,529 … decreased 80,000 6. Pontiac 97,139 … decreased 139,000 7. Oldsmobile 85,045 … increased 5,000 8. Packard 55,718 … decreased 67,000 9. Chrysler 52,949 … decreased 53,000 10. Hudson 50,270 … increased 30,000 11. Studebaker 46,787 … decreased 51,000 12. Nash 41,542 … decreased 35,000 13. DeSoto 38,831 … decreased 43,000 14. Lincoln 19,626 … decreased 11,000 15. LaSalle 14,635 … decreased 17,000 16. Willys 13,500 … decreased 50,000 17. Cadillac 9,268 … decreased 4,884 18. Graham 5,020 … decreased 13,000 19. Hupmobile 2,001 … 20. American Bantam 2,000 …