This 1930 LaSalle is 1 of 239 built, so it's pretty rare, but thankfully it's a pretty complete car.  Built to hold 7 passengers, this convertible is powered by a 340 Cadillac flathead V8.  In it's day it would run 95 mph with ease.  Scotlea thinks we can do better than that!  It's going back all original, or 99.9% original as we plan to upgrade the interior, wiring, ignition, and squeeze a bit more power from that flathead.  It's going to be a beautiful car when finished, but it started out pretty rough but it had been sitting inside for decades...

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

View the embedded image gallery online at:
http://scotlea.com/gallery/item/91-1930-lasalle#sigProGalleria9a5d7fe2ef

Back to the shop and cleaned out and powerwashed...

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

View the embedded image gallery online at:
http://scotlea.com/gallery/item/91-1930-lasalle#sigProGalleriafef76143b4

 Tearing it down...lots of rotten and broken wood that has to be built from scratch...

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

This car had to go all the way down to the frame, which was powerwashed a few times to get almost 90 years of crud off.  Engine and trans are out and were cleaned up too - both in good condition.  Interestingly, the engine block is aluminum!!!

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

Parts are coming back in ready to be installed...  Gots lots of chrome work done, some powdercoating, convertible top hinges were rebuild and chromed wheels are ready for new tires, brake drums were turned...

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

Probably the hardest part of this restoration is the woodwork since the entire body is mounted on wood, the doors are framed with wood, the seats are wood frames, etc.  Here the base wood is being redesigned and the front doors and b-pillars set in place.  This took months because the wood was either eaten by termites, broken, or missing.  A lot of trial and error went into this process...

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

Woodwork finished up and body ready to go to paint...

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

Front and rear suspension cleaned, rebuilt and painted...

• 
• 
•  

Wheels respoked in hickory...

• 
• 
• 
•  

View the embedded image gallery online at:
http://scotlea.com/gallery/item/91-1930-lasalle#sigProGalleria6b5eb5add3

Bodywork continues...

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

After a few months of work - we have paint !!!

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

Finally - assembly time!!  Starting with the engine...

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

Fenders, suspension, wooden hubs, lots of little parts and pieces going together...

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

Completed - finally!!!  This project took 2 1/2 years from start to finish to driving down the road again, and it looks beautiful if I do say so myself!!!!

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•