Description
Cadillac LaSalle Series 340 | 1930
Highlights:
– 5.6-litre 340 cubic inch L-head V8 engine, petrol, manual transmission
– Matching-numbers example retaining its original V8
– Comprehensively restored over the past eight years
– Rare rumble-seat coupe coachwork by Fisher
– Stated to be one of only three examples in Europe
The seller offers for sale this 1930 Cadillac LaSalle Series 340, powered by a 5.6-litre 340 cubic inch L-head V8, paired with a manual transmission. Finished in an elegant two-tone blue with a light grey cloth interior, this rumble-seat coupe is presented with many of the period details that make these cars so appealing, including dual side-mounted spare wheels, black wire wheels with whitewall tyres, a chrome grille guard and a graceful winged radiator mascot. According to the seller this is a matching-numbers car that retains its original 340 cubic inch V8, and it has been restored over the past eight years with close attention to detail. The seller further states that it is one of only three such examples in Europe, underlining the rarity of the model on this side of the Atlantic.
LaSalle was created as the companion marque to Cadillac, conceived by General Motors president Alfred P. Sloan to bridge the price gap between Buick and Cadillac and to give the corporation a model for every type of buyer. Introduced for 1927 and named after the seventeenth-century French explorer Robert de La Salle, the line was styled by a young Harley Earl, whose European-inspired forms drew on marques such as Hispano-Suiza and effectively launched the discipline of automotive design within the industry. For 1930 the range became the Series 340, sharing much of its engineering with Cadillac while riding on a shorter and lighter 134-inch wheelbase, which gave LaSalle a more agile and sporting character than its larger stablemate.
The Series 340 took its name from its 340 cubic inch L-head V8, a smooth and torquey unit rated at around 90 horsepower that endowed the lighter LaSalle with lively performance for its day. Bodies were supplied by Fisher, with semi-custom coachwork available from Fleetwood, and the marque’s stylish two-tone schemes quickly made it a favourite with the public. LaSalle is widely credited with helping to carry Cadillac through the difficult years of the Great Depression, and every LaSalle built between 1927 and 1932 is recognised as a Full Classic by the Classic Car Club of America.
As a closed rumble-seat coupe with sweeping fenders, side-mounted spares and a tall peaked grille, this LaSalle captures the elegance and craftsmanship of the late vintage era while remaining well suited to club events, classic touring and concours display. Presented in good condition and benefiting from its recent restoration, it offers a rare opportunity to acquire an early Harley Earl design from one of the most historically significant of all American companion marques.
Condition of the bodywork & paint
4 — Very Good. Clean with minimal wear; might need minor replacements for small missing or broken parts.
Condition of the interior
4 — Very Good. Clean with minimal wear; might need minor replacements for small missing or broken parts.
Technical condition
4 — Very Good. Mechanically solid, with potential for minor servicing.
Overall condition
4 — Very Good. Displays only minimal wear and can hit the road any time.
This item is sold on an as-is basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and descriptions of the listing are for information purposes only.
