THE LA SALLE—A NEW VEE EIGHT BY GENERAL MOTORS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 118, 9 August 1927, Page 8

THE LA SALLE—A NEW VEE EIGHT BY GENERAL MOTORS

THE LA SAL_E has been manufactured by General Motors to fill the gap between the Euick and the Cadillac, ■ making their range complete from the < lowest price-level—the Chevrolet—to the highest quality car on the market —the Cadillac. The La Salle is built and marketed by the Cadillac Motor Car Co., and incorporates the vee type eight cylinder engine which is identified with that car. It is not, however, a small Cadii- < lac, but a separate entity which brings something new to the automobile field. While the engine has all the ear-

marks of the Cadillac design, close inspection reveals several pronounced changes, chief of which are the offset cylinders, location of the starting motor on the lower back of the bell housing, different manifold housing, installation of a new vacuum booster pump in the fuel system, and slightly different head construction. Characteristic details which are retained are the four-throw three bearing compensated crankshaft, crankcase ventilating system, two chain arrangement at the front of the engine and belt driven fan. A striking feature of the new engine is the wide use of

aluminium alloy. An unusual feature is the steering wheel, which comprises a cast aluminium spider, with a steel reinforced molded rubber rim of relatively small diameter. Fisher bodies are used throughout with the V-V windshield fitted to ail closed bodies. Closed bodies are trimmed inside with mohair, and carry complete equipment suitable for each body type. In addition to unusual mechanical make-up and performance, the La Salle introduces a new two-tone colour

scheme in which surfaces viewed in any direction are broken up so that an impression of unusual compactness and individuality is conveyed. With a wheelbase of 125 in. and a 90deg. vee-eight engine of 3 1-Bin. bore and 4 15-16 in. stroke, which develops more than 75 h.p., the new car shows more than 70 m.p.h. actual maximum speed with commensurate acceleration, flexibility, and hill-climbing ability.