LaSalle Models & History (1937)

The Series 37-50 replaced the 36-50

  • There were only minor body changes
  • Die-cast eggcrate grille
  • Hood louver treatment featuring rectangular lines
  • Headlights attached lower on the radiator casing
  • New front fenders with higher rear halves and a lengthwise crease along the top surface
  • Bumpers carrying the LaSalle insignia
  • Entire rear quarter window pivoted
  • Windshields had a 39 degree slope and a deeper vee
  • 1937 LaSalle bodies were constructed entirely of steel
  • The line now included a convertible sedan
  • The big change for 1937 was the return to a V-8 engine — the 322-cubic inch unit was the same as used in the 1936 Cadillac Series 60
  • The engine shared all the changes made in other 1937 Cadillac V-8s.
  • Unique to the LaSalle and the Cadillac Series 60 was the relocation of the exhaust down-pipe to the front of the right-hand cylinder block and the use of a single muffler
  • Chassis changes, common to LaSalle and Cadillac Series 60 included use of hypoid rear axle, addition of front stabilizer bar, new steering box with shaft out of bottom
  • A LaSalle commercial chassis with 160-3/8 inch wheelbase was offered. This, and all Cadillac commercial chassis, featured one-piece side rails in the frame

I.D. DATA

  • Serial numbers were on the top surface of the frame side bar, left side, just ahead of the dash
  • Engine numbers were the same as the serial number and were located on the crankcase, just behind the left cylinder block
  • Starting: 2230001; ending 2262005

STYLE

Fisher 124″ Wheelbase
Style No. Doors Body Type Seating Price Weight
37-5011 2 Touring Sedan 5 $1105 3780 lb
37-5019 4 Touring Sedan 5 $1145 3810 lb
37-5049 2 Convertible Sedan 5 $1485 3850 lb
37-5067 2 Convertible Coupe 2 $1175 3715 lb
37-5027 2 Sport Coupe 2 $ 995 3675 lb

ENGINE

  • Type: Inline, L-head, 8-cylinders
  • Block: Cast iron (blocks cast enbloc with crankcase)
  • Bore & Stroke: 3.00 x 4.375 inches
  • Displacement: 248 cu. in.
  • Compression ratio: 6.25:1 (5.75:1 opt)
  • Brake horsepower: 105 @ 3600 rpm
  • Taxable Horsepower: 28.8
  • Main bearings: five
  • Valve lifters: Mechanical
  • Carburetor: Stromberg EE-15 Duplex downdraft

CHASSIS

  • Wheelbase: 124 inches (160-3/8″ commercial)
  • Overall length: 201-1/4 inches (237-7/8″ commercial)
  • Front tread: 58 inches
  • Rear tread: 59 inches
  • Tires: 7.00×16

DRIVETRAIN

  • Transmission: Selective synchromesh
  • Speeds: 3 forward, 1 reverse
  • Left-hand drive, center controls (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

  • Flexible steering wheel: $15.00
  • Heater: $19.50-60.00
  • Radio (master): $79.50
  • Radio (standard): $59.50
  • Seat covers: 7.50 each
  • Sidemount cover(s): $15.00-17.50
  • Trim rings: $1.50 each
  • Wheel discs: $4.00 each

HISTORICAL NOTES

1937 LaSalle Notes

  • Introduced November 1936
  • Model year sales: 32,005
  • Model year production: 32,005
  • 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

1937 Automotive Notes

  • Industry production rises slightly to 3,915,889 cars and 893,085 trucks
  • Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. was president of GM until May when William S. Knudsen became president
  • Lammot du Pont was chairman of the board at GM until May when Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. became chairman of the board
  • Oldsmobile introduces a semi-automatic called Safety Automatic Transmission
  • This is the last year for Cord
  • LaFayette becomes the Nash
  • Pierce-Arrow files for bankruptcy
  • Chrysler features a seat that not only moves back and forth, but also up and down
  • Studebaker features windshield washers
  • Buick features the first steering-wheel horn ring
  • Chevrolet introduces the Master and Master DeLuxe
  • A Ford V-8 wins the Monte Carlo Rally
  • Top model year production for 1937
    1. Ford 942,005 … increased 11,000
    2. Chevrolet 815,375 … decreased 103,000
    3. Plymouth 551,994 … increased 31,000
    4. Dodge 295,047 … increased over 32,000
    5. Pontiac 236,189 … increased 60,000 units
    6. Buick 220,346 … increased 52,000
    7. Oldsmobile 79,830 … decreased 111,000
    8. Packard 122,593 … (doubled) an increase of 61,566
    9. Chrysler 106,120 … increased 47,000
    10. Studebaker 98,000 … increased 42,000
    11. Terraplane 90,253 … increased 3,000
    12. DeSoto 81,775 … (doubled) an increase of 41,000
    13. Nash 77,000 … increased 34,000
    14. Willys 63,467 … (doubled) an increase of 32,000
    15. LaSalle 32,000 … (doubled plus) an increase of 19,000
    16. Lincoln 30,875 … (doubled) an increase of 14,000
    17. Hudson 20,464 … decreased 6,000
    18. Graham 18,219 … decreased 1,000
    19. Cadillac 14,152 … increased 1,272

1937 LaSalle Photo Gallery