1940 Lasalle Convertible Barn Find

[Cadillac Slim]

You may have followed my posts in the General Discussion...
1940 Lasalle Series 50 Convertible
1 of 425 Built
Pulled out of barn storage since 1962.
Needs Complete restoration from the ground up.  Car is solid with minimal rot.
Has 90+% of all the parts.
Don't need to sell it but it won't get touched as there are 2 cars in line ahead of it.  Hate to see it sit but I won't give it away either.  Please do & know your research.
Will entertain cash offers & trades for running Cadillacs.
Please don't get your feelings hurt if I'm not interested in what you have.
Advertising on this site only.
Located in Northern CA
Let me know what you got!

[C.R. Patton II]

Hello Darin

I'm disappointed that this LaSalle did not elevate to the front of your priority list to become the jewel of your collection.

It would be very helpful to our CLC club members if you posted the vehicle identification number and the body plate data.  If the LaSalle does not sale I hope you have a moment of clarity.

[Cadillac Slim]

I attached as per your request.
Right now the car is currently stored sideways in my garage & I have to admit I'm starting to feel like a car hoarder.  I'm only advertising it on this site because I hate to see cars sit & believe they all need to be driven.  I would like to see it go to another Cadillac guy who has the time to get it back on the road now.  Otherwise it will probably sit for 2 years.  I was not searching for the car when I bought it & it was heading to the crusher.  I figured saving it was better than nothing.
The car is a jewel.  Definetly a diamond in the rough.  Thats why its only advertised here.  Its not on Ebay, Craigslist, Hemmings, Etc..  If the car can't go to the right Cadillac/Lasalle guy I will continue to store it until the right deal comes thru or I can finally get to wrenching on it. 
Thanks C.R. & I always enjoy seeing your endless love for Lasalles

[Steve Passmore]

Some sort of starting price guide is always helpful Darin.

[Cadillac Slim]

At this point I'm really open to all realistic offers.  There really isn't much out there to gather information from.
NADA Lists the values as:
Low: $35,600.00
Average: $49,000.00
High: $85,700.00

The car is obviously worth alot less than the low & would probably take $20k to get it there doing the work by yourself & subing out the items you don't know how to do or aren't good at.  I would guess that could get you to a nice garage built driver.  To restore it to concours quality the money bucket would need to be endless & it would be a buy out of enjoyment not investment.  Just My 2 cents.  I do know rarity of the car has a strong value, but the desirability would be the question.  Even though I understand the Lasalle was a part the Cadillac family the amount of people chasing this brand is quite less.  For reasons perhaps I'll never understand.
I would think the $12-15k range is appropriate?
I paid a little less than that & my time is worth something.
I've got very thick skin & tell me if I'm crazy.

[Tom Boehm]

Let me get this straight, The owner was going to send it to the crusher but you came along and he got a little less than 12k from you for it?

[Cadillac Slim]

Tom....I just sent you a PM.

[Cadillac Slim]

After a few inquires about the Barn Find I figured I would post further details of my buy to discontinue any further judgement.

I am in the construction business.  I was picking up some plans from an engineer I have seldom worked with over the years & he asked me if I still had my old Cadillacs.  I said I"ve probably bought & sold a few since our last encounter but yes I still pursued the hobby.  He told me his father had a 30's Cadillac Convertible in a barn & asked if I was interested.  He expressed he had no interest in the car & his mother was selling the property because she was in her 80's & needed money.  It was a commericial piece of property & the barn needed to be demolished.  The demolition contractor had told them all it was worth was scrap.  I said I would like to see the car as it may be valuable.  Upon seeing the car I realized it was a 1940 Lasalle.  I said I'm not in the market for another car right now but I'll cut you a deal.  I told him we would clear the barn to make sure no parts got lost.  I would provide labor, a 40 yard debris bin, a bobcat tractor, trailers, everything required to do the haul.  He agreed & with our time, labor, fuel, lunch, beers, & a fair price to help his Mom out with some cash I ended up investing around $10k for the car.
I hope this clears the air for everyone here thinking I got this car for nothing & am just trying to make cash.  I do believe my time & efforts are worth something.  Maybe next time I will post a ledger as well.
I also find it amazing that a Country that was built on a Free Market is so judgemental when an honest guy just wants to make a buck.  In a hobby full of extreme expenses it amazes me how deeply cheap some car guys are.
Hopefully this helps.

[r thomas]

The Lasalle is yours, you have a right to ask whatever you wish. It really is not anyones business what you gave for it. Even if it was gave to you, you have a right to get a fair market price. I am just so proud you rescued it and have it stored in doors. personally I hope some hot rodder  does not get it.

[6262]

Well said, Darin!

[joeceretti]

Yes, well said. I didn't pay a lot for my car. I have put an endless amount of work into it since I got it as well as purchased, almost constantly, parts as I find them. An old car guy said to me, "DON'T TELL ANYONE WHAT YOU PAID FOR IT!" What? Why? I know what I paid and what I had to go through. When it's time to sell it, if that day comes when I am alive, I will ask what I want. If someone else doesn't like it... too bad.

Will I get back in dollars what I paid in time. Absolutely not, not even close. Will I get back what I have spent on the hundreds and hundreds of parts? Absolutely not. Should you ask what you think you want for it? Why not?

[Smedly]

Darin, It does not matter if the car was in the ladies driveway already on a trailer with a truck attached and she gave it all to you for free, you have the right to ask what ever you want for the car. And I hope you get it. If it were me I would keep it, It looks great in you garage as art . Or HOT ROD it for the days you don't feel like drive the black beauty that is parked in front of it. . Just my 2 cents.
Sheldon Hay