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For other uses of the name, see the LaSalle/La Salle disambiguation page.

LaSalle was a brand name of automobile made by General Motors from 1927 through 1940. It functioned as the Cadillac's companion car—smaller, less-expensive, but still upmarket. LaSalles often shared parts with Oldsmobile but were sold exclusively through Cadillac dealers. The two were linked by similarly-themed names, both being named for explorers— Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac and René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, respectively.

The LaSalle proved to be valuable in helping Cadillac and its dealers weather the depression years of the 1930s, when costly, top-of-the-line models sold poorly. LaSalles today are very collectible.

Ever since the name disappeared, there have been periodic rumors that it might be revived. The Buick Riviera and Cadillac Seville were both rumored to be slated to carry the LaSalle name while they were in the development stage.

One of the most famous popular culture references to the LaSalle is in "Those Were the Days," the theme song to the TV show All in the Family, with the line "Gee our old LaSalle ran great."

Photos courtesy of Done Direct Motors