A pair of forgotten Cadillac LaSalle II Concept of 1950s

Forgotten ONES - As we could be seen back to the 1950s precisely in 1955, when General Motors created a pair of Motorama's show cars named after the companion brand Cadillac that was last produced sometime in the 1940s. These vehicles were later dubbed the Cadillac LaSalle II.

The Cadillac LaSalle II XP-32 Sedan Version (in unrestored condition) posed along with the XP-34 Roadster sibling at the 2013 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. (Picture from: ConceptCarz)

These show cars consisted of a six-seater, four-door hardtop sedan codenamed XP-32  with special order #2217. While the other was XP-34, a two-seater roadster, under special order #2220. Both wore fiberglass bodywork and powered by a V6 engine. If then you ask.

Why is it should named as LaSalle? Well, part of the reason the concept car is named that way is to honor legendary designer Harley Earl, whose first project done by him for GM was 1927 Cadillac LaSalle.

The Cadillac LaSalle II XP-32 Sedan Version was debuted at the 1955 General Motors's Motorama. (Picture from: DRM55)

Back to the LaSalle II concept car of the 1950s, for dimension of the XP-32 Sedan version has a wheelbase of 108 inches, coupled with an overall length of 180.2 inches and a height of 69.5 inches, beside that It had unique (rear-hinged) suicide-style doors.

Meanwhile the XP-34 Roadster version is shorter, had a wheelbase of 99.9 inches, with an overall length of 151.7 inches, and 42.8 inches high. Both show cars have the same ground clearance of 5.1 inches.

The Cadillac LaSalle II Sedan Version codenamed XP-32 with special order #2217 was a four-door hardtop six-seater sedan. (Picture from: DRM55)

These two LaSalle II show cars are as impressive mechanically as they are visually. The fiberglass body rests on a purpose-built steel frame with independent suspension using torsion bars at the front. Despite the public's desire for V8 drivetrain, GM chose to explore the potential of the light and compact small-block V6 engine.

The Cadillac LaSalle II Sedan Version codenamed XP-32 has a wheelbase of 108 inches, coupled with an overall length of 180.2 inches and a height of 69.5 inches, beside that It had unique (rear-hinged) suicide-style doors. (Picture from: DRM55)

Unfortunately, what was found on both show cars was simply an aluminum casting engine block with no internal components. Many said, if those V6 prototype engine has all its innard components, coupled with a fuel injection system, and a double overhead cam (DOHC), so it could be functioned normally, it's estimated burst of power of around 150 hp.

Rear three-quartered view of the Cadillac LaSalle II XP-32 Sedan Version still in unrestored condition to this day. (Picture from: DRM55)

It is known that the person responsible for much of the styling of the vehicle was Carl Renner, who later in 1956 was put in charge of work on a restyled Corvette. Well, at the front of both unique concept cars there is a vertical grille opening inspired from the 1941 LaSalles which was never produced.

The Cadillac LaSalle II XP-34 Roadster Version was debuted at the 1955 General Motors's Motorama. (Picture from: DRM55)

Furthermore, the grilles wrapped around the sides also feature a 'bullet' guard design. In keeping with LaSalle tradition (used during the last years of their production time), the 'LaS' emblem can be found on the hood. As a final touch, the cars are painted pearl white with a contrasting blue concave ellipse. The XP-34 Roadster has 'Bahama Blue' while the XP-32 Sedan has 'LeSabre Blue' concaves.

The Cadillac LaSalle II Roadster Version codenamed XP-34 with special order #2220 was a two-seater sports roadster. (Picture from: ConceptCarz)

Additionally, the XP-32 Sedan version has a curved windshield similar to that used on the Biscayne. The exhaust exits through a port on each lower quarter panel. However, the setup is different for the XP-34 Roadster, as the exhaust tips, pipes and ports are placed in the rocker sill and exit just in front of the rear wheels. Meanwhile for the legs, both show cars are based on 13-inches turbine-style wheels with drum brakes mounted in the center. This arrangement allows for a very short time to remove the brake drum.

The Cadillac LaSalle II Roadster Version featured with fiberglass bodywork on a purpose-built steel frame with independent suspension using torsion bars at the front. (Picture from: ConceptCarz)

Although neither of these LaSalle II show cars ultimately went into company's production lines, however many of their design features and mechanical components then integrated into many GM products. For examples, in the 1960s, Buick began offering the V6 engine that would become an important part of their 1980s models. And the side concaves became typical part of a future Corvette.

Unfortunately, after their career as show cars ended, the two were sent to Warhoops Auto & Truck Salvage near the GM Tech Center in Sterling Heights, Michigan to be crushed, since then the two have dissappeared from public sight. Until the late 1980s, both of LaSalle II Concepts were found back by Joe Bortz. At this historical point, the Roadster was in dire condition as it had been choped aparts, vice versa the Sedan was largely intact. Then he took them out from the junkyard, put both of them into the restoration process.

In 2008, the Cadillac LaSalle II was invited to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, at that time, the restoration process was still not complete. And again in 2013, both cars appeared again in public at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, with only the Roadster version in perfect conditions as its former glory day, while the Sedan still unrestored. Can you imagine how long it took Joe Bortz to restore those two Cadillac LaSalle II show cars back in perfect conditions as its former glory days? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BORTZAUTOCOLLECTION | CARSSTYLING.RU | CONCEPTCARZ | DRM55 ]

Note: This blog  can be accessed via your smart phone.

Kindly Bookmark and Share it: