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

  • Automatic battery filler: $7.50
  • Clock: $12.50
  • Flexible steering wheel: $15.00
  • Foglights: $17.50/pair
  • Heater: $26.50-42.50
  • Radio (master): $79.50
  • Radio (standard): $65.00
  • Seat cover(s): $7.50 per seat
  • Spotlight: $18.50
  • Trim rings: $1.50 each
  • Wheel discs: $4.00 each

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

1938 LaSalle Photo Gallery