Description
The LaSalle V8 322 Convertible was the crowning achievement of LaSalle’s final years, a car that embodied the elegance, craftsmanship, and refinement that defined General Motors’ prewar golden age. Produced during the 1939 and 1940 model years, it represented the culmination of LaSalle’s evolution from a youthful companion marque to Cadillac into a fully realized luxury car in its own right. With its powerful Cadillac-built engine, flowing lines, and graceful convertible bodywork, the LaSalle V8 322 Convertible stood as one of the most stylish and technically sophisticated open cars of its era.
By the late 1930s, LaSalle had firmly established its identity as a refined yet spirited alternative to Cadillac. It was aimed at younger, design-conscious buyers who wanted Cadillac prestige without the formality. The 1940 LaSalle models, including the V8 322 Convertible, were based on the same engineering foundation as Cadillac’s Series 61, but featured distinctive bodywork that gave them a more modern and athletic personality. Beneath the hood lay Cadillac’s 322 cubic inch (5.3-litre) monobloc flathead V8—one of the smoothest and most durable engines of the time. Producing 125 horsepower and abundant torque, it delivered effortless performance through a three-speed synchromesh manual gearbox. The car could cruise all day at highway speeds in near silence, a hallmark of Cadillac engineering.
The chassis featured a 123-inch wheelbase and advanced suspension for the era, with independent front coils and semi-elliptic rear leaf springs. Combined with hydraulic brakes and a robust X-braced frame, the result was a car that offered a supple, controlled ride and secure handling. The Convertible felt poised and stable even on uneven roads, and its quiet-running V8 and light steering made it a joy to drive both in town and on the open highway.
Stylistically, the LaSalle V8 322 Convertible was a masterpiece of Harley Earl’s design philosophy. The 1939–1940 LaSalles adopted a sleek, horizontal theme that emphasized width and flow rather than height and ornamentation. The signature narrow LaSalle grille of the early 1930s was replaced by a broader, more integrated front fascia, framed by beautifully faired-in headlamps and sculpted fenders that seemed to melt into the body. The long hood and gently curved beltline gave the car an impression of speed even at rest. Chrome was used tastefully to accentuate key lines—the grille, window surrounds, and body creases—without overwhelming the form. The rear fenders tapered gracefully into a rounded tail, where twin taillights were neatly set into small chrome housings.
The convertible configuration highlighted the car’s proportions perfectly. With its top down, the LaSalle V8 322 revealed its low-slung stance and balanced profile, the beltline sweeping from the front fenders through to the rear in an unbroken curve. The manually folding roof was crafted from high-quality canvas and could be raised or lowered smoothly, disappearing beneath a metal cover when stowed. With the top up, it maintained a refined appearance thanks to its tight fit and well-designed roofline. Many examples were finished in two-tone color schemes that enhanced the car’s curves, while chrome-accented hubcaps and wide whitewall tires completed the elegant presentation.
Inside, the LaSalle Convertible’s cabin combined luxury with understated modernity. The seats were upholstered in rich leather, often in contrasting shades to the exterior paintwork, and the door panels were trimmed to match. The dashboard was a work of art in itself—symmetrical and beautifully detailed, with round, chrome-rimmed gauges, art deco numerals, and finely machined knobs and levers. A large, three-spoke banjo steering wheel sat before the driver, and the gear lever was mounted on the steering column for added legroom. Every detail, from the placement of the instruments to the texture of the materials, reflected General Motors’ meticulous attention to design harmony.
Driving the LaSalle V8 322 Convertible was an experience defined by quiet confidence. The engine’s smoothness was legendary, its torque delivery making gear changes almost optional on gentle inclines. The independent front suspension kept the car composed over rough pavement, while its weight distribution and long wheelbase gave it an effortlessly stable feel at speed. The hydraulic brakes were strong and progressive, and the steering—though light—remained precise. The convertible top, when folded away, allowed for serene open-air motoring, with minimal vibration or wind intrusion even at higher speeds.
In its final year, the LaSalle 322 series was priced between $1,500 and $1,900 depending on trim and options—positioning it below Cadillac but above Buick. It was aimed at sophisticated drivers who valued refinement and style over ostentation. Yet despite its beauty and excellence, the 1940 LaSalle would be the last. Its design and mechanical sophistication were so close to Cadillac’s that General Motors decided to merge the two lines, retiring the LaSalle name after thirteen years of production. The following year’s Cadillac Series 62 would carry forward much of the LaSalle’s styling and engineering DNA, effectively becoming its spiritual successor.
Today, the LaSalle V8 322 Convertible is remembered as one of the finest American convertibles of the prewar period. Its rarity, elegance, and technical pedigree make it a prized collector’s car, admired for both its beauty and its historical significance. Restored examples reveal the precision of its construction and the timelessness of its design—proof that LaSalle achieved exactly what Alfred P. Sloan and Harley Earl intended: a car that combined Cadillac’s refinement with an independent sense of flair.
The LaSalle V8 322 Convertible stands as a fitting conclusion to the brand’s story—a car that captured the optimism and artistry of prewar America. Graceful in form, powerful in motion, and exquisitely built, it remains one of the most compelling expressions of LaSalle’s brief but brilliant legacy.