Make:
Cadillac
Model:
LaSalle
Year:
1940
Mileage:
31460
Miles
Condition:
Used
Country:
United States
Region:
Florida
City:
Miami , FL
Zip:
33184
1940 Cadillac LaSalle Convertibles 31460 Miles Burgundy Custom Coupe
This is a one-family since new, 1940 LaSalle Series 50 Convertible Coupe that was customized when new by its first owner into a gorgeous special show car. If you look closely, it has the same effect as a Packard Darrin Convertible Victoria or a Bohman & Schwartz. In fact, this car was customized right in Pasadena, California. This LaSalle's lines are absolutely curvaceous and sexy, invoking the same visceral response as a Darrin. After seeing this LaSalle, it is truly a shame that Cadillac didn't follow Packard's lead to build such beautiful cars as this. This LaSalle was purchased new by Donald Hendrix of Pasadena, CA. According to accounts, he and his wife Phyllis were both shorter and they wanted both the look of a Darrin and the practicality that the lowered LaSalle provided. But as with a Darrin, this wasn't lowered per se . The entire horizontal length of the car was sectioned by six inches, thus the missing fake hood vents and the sexy increase rake of the rear end of the car. In custom terms, this sectioning is known as "pied". In addition, the entire body was dropped into the chassis rails, otherwise known as "channeled". And finally, he removed the running boards, which anyone would agree adds to the sexy curves. These three major customizations give it that European flair and, frankly, make the driving experience much more Bugatti-like. Mr. Hendrix was an optical engineer specializing on cleaning lenses for major observatories throughout California. As such, he was known for driving the LaSalle in a spirited manner through the long and twisty roads leading up the mountains to the observatories. After the war, when LaSalle was obsolete, Mr. Hendrix was rightly concerned about the availability of parts for the drivetrain. As such, he installed a 1951 Cadillac 331 CID V-8 and upgraded the transmission to a three-speed manual transmission with overdrive. To say this LaSalle is a blast to drive is an understatement. Please watch the video of the car in 1958 with both Don and his son, Robb Hendrix being shown. Also in the video is the last owner of the LaSalle, the newborn baby and Don's granddaughter!! While Don passed the day after Christmas in 1961, the LaSalle was then cared for by Robb. By about 1972 the LaSalle was stored in Pasadena until exhumed by the granddaughter (from the 1958 video) in January 2001.
This is a one-family since new, 1940 LaSalle Series 50 Convertible Coupe that was customized when new by its first owner into a gorgeous special show car. If you look closely, it has the same effect as a Packard Darrin Convertible Victoria or a Bohman & Schwartz. In fact, this car was customized right in Pasadena, California. This LaSalle's lines are absolutely curvaceous and sexy, invoking the same visceral response as a Darrin. After seeing this LaSalle, it is truly a shame that Cadillac didn't follow Packard's lead to build such beautiful cars as this. This LaSalle was purchased new by Donald Hendrix of Pasadena, CA. According to accounts, he and his wife Phyllis were both shorter and they wanted both the look of a Darrin and the practicality that the lowered LaSalle provided. But as with a Darrin, this wasn't lowered per se . The entire horizontal length of the car was sectioned by six inches, thus the missing fake hood vents and the sexy increase rake of the rear end of the car. In custom terms, this sectioning is known as "pied". In addition, the entire body was dropped into the chassis rails, otherwise known as "channeled". And finally, he removed the running boards, which anyone would agree adds to the sexy curves. These three major customizations give it that European flair and, frankly, make the driving experience much more Bugatti-like. Mr. Hendrix was an optical engineer specializing on cleaning lenses for major observatories throughout California. As such, he was known for driving the LaSalle in a spirited manner through the long and twisty roads leading up the mountains to the observatories. After the war, when LaSalle was obsolete, Mr. Hendrix was rightly concerned about the availability of parts for the drivetrain. As such, he installed a 1951 Cadillac 331 CID V-8 and upgraded the transmission to a three-speed manual transmission with overdrive. To say this LaSalle is a blast to drive is an understatement. Please watch the video of the car in 1958 with both Don and his son, Robb Hendrix being shown. Also in the video is the last owner of the LaSalle, the newborn baby and Don's granddaughter!! While Don passed the day after Christmas in 1961, the LaSalle was then cared for by Robb. By about 1972 the LaSalle was stored in Pasadena until exhumed by the granddaughter (from the 1958 video) in January 2001.
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