What’s the history of the LaSalle brand and how does the Series 50 model fit into it?
The LaSalle brand has a fascinating history as GM’s ‘companion marque’ to Cadillac! LaSalle was created by GM’s Chairman Alfred P. Sloan in 1927 as a luxury brand positioned between Buick and Cadillac to fill price gaps in GM’s portfolio. It was manufactured by Cadillac Division but marketed as a separate brand until 1940.
The Series 50, produced from 1934-1940, represents the final chapter of LaSalle’s story. As one of the later models in the brand’s 13-year lifespan, the Series 50 embodied the elegant styling and engineering that made LaSalle popular during the Great Depression era. These cars featured distinctive designs that were often more adventurous than their Cadillac counterparts, with the 1939 model you’re looking at showcasing the brand’s signature blend of luxury and accessibility.
The Series 50 was significant because it came during LaSalle’s most successful period - the mid-to-late 1930s when the brand found its design identity. With 71 total listings on our site and an average sale price around $47,000, the Series 50 remains one of the more accessible pre-war luxury cars for collectors today.
Would you like me to show you some other Series 50 models currently available, or help you learn more about this specific 1939 example?