1940 LaSalle Coupe
General Motors concluded its LaSalle experiment in 1940, marking the end of Cadillac’s companion marque after 14 years in production. Despite strong sales of 24,133 units (LaSalle’s second-best year ever), GM chose to cancel the brand and replace it with the lower-priced Cadillac Series 61.
The final LaSalle coupe represented some of Harley Earl’s finest design work, featuring the distinctive “Torpedo” C-body styling that influenced automotive aesthetics for years to come. The Series 52 Special Coupe was among the rarer body styles, with approximately 3,000 produced, and featured flowing lines with a narrow grille flanked by horizontal chrome bars.
The 322-cubic-inch L-head V8 engine produced 130 horsepower, paired with a column-shift three-speed manual transmission. Independent front suspension and chassis engineering matched contemporary Cadillac standards, providing luxury-car refinement at a more accessible price point.
Built on a 123-inch wheelbase, these cars offered genuine luxury performance while bridging the gap between Depression-era automotive design and the streamlined aesthetic that would dominate the postwar years.
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