The LaSalle was the first brainchild of Harley Earl, the legendary American auto designer. It was created as a sort of entry-level Cadillac - a little cheaper, more stylish, designed as an early 'hook' for upwardly mobile younger buyers. After initial success, the onset of the Great Depression gave the LaSalle a rocky survival road upon which the brand finally failed, but not before some spectacular iterations and a somewhat mysterious namesake. Was this the LaSalle of John Baptist de la Salle, an 18th century French priest, or of Robert de La Salle, a 17th century French explorer who claimed Louisiana and the entire Mississippi delta for his mother country.
Let's clear this right up. LaSalle University in Philadelphia is named after the French priest; their sports teams are called 'Explorers.' (Doncha luv it when a page of history refuses to lie flat?)
Anyway, here's a 1936 LaSalle convertible. You can't get much prettier than this!
Let's clear this right up. LaSalle University in Philadelphia is named after the French priest; their sports teams are called 'Explorers.' (Doncha luv it when a page of history refuses to lie flat?)
Anyway, here's a 1936 LaSalle convertible. You can't get much prettier than this!
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