1933 Cadillac with a diesel engine

[Roger Zimmermann]

It could be that this post is not in the right category...If that's the case, Bruce will correct it!
A friend of mine is attracted by curious vehicles. The last one is a 1933 Cadillac which engine was replaced with a Saurer diesel engine, right after WWII. As those vehicles are identified by the engine number, I cannot identify this car. This is indeed not a big issue...Anyway, I should search an radiator ornament for this vehicle and, according the parts list, the ornament for 1933 had the number 1405356, used on the series 350, 355C, 370C, 35-50 and 36-50 and had the name "Torpedo". I saw pictures from cars from that time wearing another ornament: the Heron. I have no idea who could supply the correct ornament; if I'm right, somebody is or was reproducing some, but as I'm not "specialized" in those cars (except my scale model), I don't remember him.
Who could educate me? Thanks for the help!

[Roger Zimmermann]

By looking at the shop manual and at another picture I have from this car, I'm almost sure that it's a 1933 LaSalle, because the job number could be 33-662 Unfortunately, the first two numbers are difficult to read.
What do you think?

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

If it is now Diesel power, why would they have left the Ignition Coil in the car?

Bruce.

[Roger Zimmermann]

That thing red/silver, are you sure that it's an ignition coil?

[Cadman-iac]

 I don't think it's a coil either. There's 3 screws on the top of it that look like they hold a cover on it. Plus it's got 3 indentations around the top, which a coil wouldn't have, unless they were building some weird coils back then.
 Very interesting vehicle though. I'll bet people are really confused when they hear it running. I can hear them now, "Don't you think you should add some oil before it blows up?" LOL!!

 Rick

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

My bad.   Blame my eyes.   But, looking at it closely, it could be a vacuum pump to supply vacuum to the required parts.

Bruce.

[Cadman-iac]

My bad.   Blame my eyes.   But, looking at it closely, it could be a vacuum pump to supply vacuum to the required parts.

Bruce.

 I wouldn't worry Bruce, I had to enlarge the picture to see that myself.

 Rick

[35-709]

   Looks like 33-662 to me, perhaps with a magnifying glass you can see the actual number stamping more clearly despite the white color.

[Roger Zimmermann]

It's also my impression Therefore, it's a LaSalle...and I should search an radiator ornament for that brand.

[Philou2]

That thing red/silver, are you sure that it's an ignition coil?

Hi Roger
For me this "coil" is actually a small air compressor to power several horns of a 3-tone Italian horn (like "coucaratcha").
The kind of gadget that in Europe goes well with a wedding ceremony...
Otherwise beautiful car that deserves to find its original engine.

[Roger Zimmermann]

Hi Roger
For me this "coil" is actually a small air compressor to power several horns of a 3-tone Italian horn (like "coucaratcha").
The kind of gadget that in Europe goes well with a wedding ceremony...
Otherwise beautiful car that deserves to find its original engine.

It was also the rage in the seventies! fortunately, they disappear!
For the moment, the owner is not sure if he will sell. Like many similar cases, he think that this diesel has a high value...
My friend will do an offer, not sur if the seller will accept it. In my opinion, the task/cost to find the correct engine and deconstruct the diesel adaptation will exceed the value of the car.