Reader Ad: 1940 LaSalle Series 50
SOLD
Asking Price: $12,000
Location: Burns, Tennessee
Mileage: 53,000
Title Status: Clean
VIN: 2328003
Seller’s Description: This car was in a warehouse in Chicago since 1965 judging by the oil change sticker on the door jamb. In 2006 a new owner replaced the missing engine with a Chevy 350 and automatic transmission. He did a terrible 12volt upgrade and installed dual exhausts. He also rebuilt the brakes and installed modern shocks. It has a nearly complete interior and would be a very good candidate to either resto rod or restore. This is the last year of manufacture of this Series 50 sedan under the Lasalle name.
Body Condition: The body is in very good condition with minor rust at the junction of the rear fenders and a few small dings that I attribute to storage incidents. The paint has some issues where the body panels were joined with lead on the area above the trunk below the rear window and on the roof but, I think could be touched up and keep the original paint. It’s in pretty good shape for 78 years old. There is one area of rust through under the rear seat on the passenger’s side. It doesn’t look to be in a structural member and I believe could be easily repaired. I can send pictures.
Mechanical Condition: Mid ’80s Chev 350 with an automatic transmission. Electric fuel pump. I have replaced all the rubber fuel lines and all fuel filters. I am presently dropping the fuel tank and cleaning and coating it to withstand modern fuel. Brakes are currently good, but I’ve noticed rear seals leaking so there is that. It is still a single circuit hydraulic system and would of course benefit from an upgrade. The suspension is solid. Drives and rides good with no weirdness or shaking. The dual exhaust system the previous owner installed is too loud for my taste in a car like this.
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Comments
“Gee our old LaSalle ran great,,,those were the days”,,
Priced fair if condition is as stated.
A smogger 80’s 350 is a pull and sell, replace with a carborated 454-504 bigblock, redo electrical,( how does one screw up a 12 volt conversion), Update brakes and 323- 350 rear gears, body as stock as possible, front clip with vintage paint, and not too modern interior fabric update , leather sucks.
With vases on each center post and bar small cooler bar in center of front seat back
Surprises me that the values on these restored are as low as they are, with the mods already made, possabilities galore.
This looks like decent buy and with elbow grease to get more presentable, , even with S B C and auto, a small profit turner.
At 17K it is just a good-bye, not a good buy.
They want 12K , which to me is not out of line. As far as power level: Do you really want to do burnouts in this? The 80’s 350 would get it on the interstate on ramp just fine and cruise all day long. Probably already been de smogged.
Your right Fred it’s a cruiser not a racer the 350 is plenty.
Never mentioned tire burnouts, and to me a hot engine and loud rummpy cam/exhaust is out of place on some old marques.
A low compression Chev big block in 396-454¿¿¿ has all the torque needed even with a 323 posi unit, low rpm torque range, will never get worked hard at any speed, and this auto done right is no lightweight
Auto, or 5 spd with o/d would give darn good mpg, as good as gutless 350 let alone a warmed up SB, especially if carburated.
Cruising in a leisurely style, without overheating with air and stereo for Hot August Night style events or burger cruising.
Darn auto would never be valuable enough with a full blown frame off restoration to original, but as a neat cruiser a value level , return on investment, can be reached even after a few years cruising.
Also, there are loads of bigblocks, stock running, at price levels of smallblocks.
Cruising workloads not easy on any motor.
TETO!
Sad to see yet another beautiful classic car destroyed by the restomodders.
I don’t see a destroyed car I see an old car that can no be used like a new car.
I don’t see anything in the add about a “terrible” 12v conversion. I dnt know about the insulation on cars of this vintage, but chances are it’s going to need rewiring anyway.
Introduction, “he did a terrible 12volt update and ……”.
Let’s play semantics.
Introduction, “he did a terrible 12volt update and ……”.
Darn sure not an English lit expert and miss crossing the “t” or dotting the”i” quite often, misspellings galore, and am an old opinionated S O B, but when proven wrong admit and adjust.
Am critical of self so “I be bad” and apologize to all.