LaSalle Models & History (1939)

The Series 39-50 replaced the 38-50

  • The 1939 LaSalle had a new tall narrow grille plus waterfall side grilles below the headlights
  • The hood louver panel was shorter and did not extend to the front of the hood
  • The headlights were attached to the sides of the radiator casing again
  • The greenhouse was increased by 25%
  • Closed sedans were available with “Sunshine turret Top.”
  • Chrome reveals appeared on all windows and the windshield.
  • All except the lower front door hinge were concealed.
  • Runningboards had become a no cost option
  • Chassis changes included
    • Four inch shorter wheelbase
    • tube and fin in place of cellular radiator core
    • vacuum for crankcase ventilation generated by motion of the car rather than by engine intake system
    • new cross-link steering hookup

All these differences really transformed the vehicle. Whatever company your insurance was with, perhaps it was Aviva or someone else, they would have been likely to notice the change in it. Car enthusiasts would definitely have noticed the change in series as well.

I.D. DATA

  • Serial numbers were on the left frame side bar, opposite the steering gear
  • Engine numbers were the same as the serial number and were located on the crankcase, just behind the left cylinder block, parallel to the dash.
  • Starting: 2290001; ending 2313028

STYLE

Fisher 120″ Wheelbase
Style No. Doors Body Type Seating Price Weight
39-5027 2 Coupe 2 $1323 3635 lb
39-5067 2 Convertible Coupe 2 $1475 3715 lb
39-5011 2 Touring Sedan 5 $1358 3710 lb
39-5011-A 2 Touring Sedan (STT) 5 $1398 —- lb
39-5029 4 Convertible Sedan 5 $1898 3780 lb
39-5019 4 Touring Sedan 5 $1895 3740 lb
39-5019-A 4 Touring Sedan (STT) 5 $1438 —- lb
39-5019-F 4 Touring Sedan (Div) 5 $—- —- 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: Carter WDO423s

CHASSIS

  • Wheelbase: 120 inches (156.5″ commercial)
  • Overall length: 202.5 inches (239″ commercial)
  • 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
  • Slotted disc wheels
  • Wheel size: 16″

OPTIONS

  • Automatic battery filler: $7.50
  • Foglights: $14.50/pair
  • Heater: $31.50
  • Radio: $69.50
  • Seat cover(s): $8.25/seat
  • Spotlight: $18.50
  • Windshield washer: $5.75

HISTORICAL NOTES

1939 LaSalle Notes

  • Introduced October 1938
  • Model year sales and production: 23,028
  • 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

1939 Automotive Notes

  • William S. Knudsen was president of GM
  • Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. was chairman of the board at GM
  • Powell Crosley, Jr. introduces the Bantam Crosley
  • Ford introduces the Mercury
  • Studebaker introduces the Champion
  • Last year for Packard’s V-12
  • Ford finally adopts hydraulic brakes
  • Chevrolet introduces a vacuum-operated gearshift
  • Chrysler introduces Windsor, New Yorker, and Saratoga
  • Chrysler moves headlights into the fenders
  • Chrysler introduces a fluid-coupling powertrain (Fluid Drive) for Imperial
  • Chrysler develops the “Super-finish” method of mirror-finishing engine or chassis parts with no scratches deeper than 0.0000254mm, which helps cut friction
  • Pontiac introduces “Duflex” rear springs with smaller auxiliary leaf springs
  • Packard builds marine engines for U.S. Navy PT boats
  • White builds Army scout cars
  • Top model year production for 1939
    1. Chevrolet 577,278 … increased 112,000
    2. Ford 487,031 … increased 77,000
    3. Plymouth 417,529 … increased 138,000
    4. Buick 208,259 … increased 41,000
    5. Pontiac 144,340 … increased 47,000
    6. Oldsmobile 127,227 … increased 42,000
    7. Studebaker 85,834 … increased 39,000
    8. Hudson 81,521 … increased 31,000
    9. Dodge 79,600 … decreased 35,000
    10. Mercury 75,000
    11. Chrysler 72,443 … increased 19,000
    12. Nash 62,854 … increased 21,000
    13. DeSoto 54,449 … increased 17,000
    14. Packard 46,405 … decreased 9,000
    15. Lincoln 21,134 … increased 1,500
    16. LaSalle 21,127 … increased 8,000
    17. Willys 17,839 … increased 4,000
    18. Cadillac 13,581 … increased 4,313
    19. Graham 5,392 … increased 372
    20. Crosley 2,017
    21. American Bantam 1,200 … decreased 800
    22. Hupmobile 1,035 … decreased 966

1939 LaSalle Photo Gallery