Need step-up for my '37 LaSalle rumble seat roadster

[dreckman]

I've got a great looking and driving '37 LaSalle rumble seat roadster but am missing the first step up to the rumble seat, the one at the right rear of the car.  The one on the fender is in place but I'd like to find the one that attaches at the bumper support.  Does anyone know where I might be able to find this part? Thanks,  Dave Eckberg

[Steve Passmore]

First of all Dave just to be ridiculously pedantic its technically a Convertible Coupe as Roadsters have no side windows, unless you have a custom body, then I have egg on my face, none the less a great car.
I have the Cadillac convertible coupe model of the same year, and these bottom steps are a problem to find, I also have a 36 rumble seat model with its bottom step missing also. Some years back I set myself the task of re producing these because I had two Buick convertibles of the same year and one of those was missing its bottom step, why this happens in the life of the car I don't know, anyway, I had  the step itself cast which was no problem as originally it was dicast, the problem is the part that clamps to the bumper, this is wrought steel or something and needs to be very strong, my caster made 6 from bronze and they looked great, I sent them to Friends I know here and in Europe that were without also but after testing one to distruction I had to tell them they were for Show only as the bronze would bend under a persons weight that was not dead center of the step, means they cant be stepped on basically.
Years ago "Bobs Auto mobilia" the Buick specialist used to produce them, I had their last one in the years just after 2000, they have not sold any since, the step was different of course but at least the bracket would have fitted.
I have only seen one on eBay perhaps in the last 6 years. I would consider finding an engineering company to make the brackets from steel on a CNC machine but I don't think any demand would ever cover the cost.

[dreckman]

Hi Steve,  Thanks for the info and follow-up.  I figured they were going to be hard to come by but I didn't figure it would be as hard as you're describing.  I guess that's why the car is still missing the step after a previous owner gave it a very nice restoration a number of years ago.  And, yeah, it's a convertible coupe, but with the rumble seat...it just sounds good to call it a roadster for some reason, it's such a cool car.

Having looked into this extensively in past years, do you know if most of the GM products of that era would have made  bottom step brackets and pads that at least fit, even if they didn't match the original Cadillac/LaSalle style?

And my ridiculously pedantic wife (an English teacher) wouldn't let you get away with using "its" when you meant "it's." 

Thanks again.

Dave

[Steve Passmore]

Wow, that must be like purgatory for an American, living with an "English" teacher    My humblest apologies for missing the apostrophe

Back to more important stuff, namely Cadillacs, yes, I have found any GM product with a rear rumble seat step will probably fit, it just needs a clamp around the bumper bracket, only problem it they have different ways of attaching the top step or you would be able to swap steps.  Buick has a large screw right through the centre of the step, Cadillac bolts up from the bottom. If you get lucky finding any, perhaps you can find two, one for me and I'll get recast a correct top step for you in exchange.
Attached is a picture of my car.
Steve

[C.R. Patton II]

Hello Dave

Your LaSalle sounds fantastic. I hope to meet you and see your car at the Grand National in in Boston next summer!

[dreckman]

Hi again, Steve and C. R., I'll check around on eBay and such on a regular basis and see what I can come up with and if I find some, I'll get two (at least) if I can.  Plus, I'll be heading to the Pate meet in a few months.  I'll spend some time looking through the vendors' displays to see what shows up.  Can you post a picture of the correct bracket to help me know exactly what I'm looking for? I don't see one in the parts book.  And, C. R., I'm already considering a trip to the Grand National, though a trip from Texas to Boston in July/August could be a bit daunting with all the heat that comes through the firewalls of these wonderful cars.  We'll see....
Thanks again,  Dave

[C.R. Patton II]

Dave

I just had a brainstorm pass over me in the night.

Try contacting Rich Zapala. He completed a fantastic restoration on his 35 LaSalle 5067 recently. Also the effervescent John Bertolone can wave his magic wand to create difficult to find parts.

Both of these gentlemen can be found in our CLC International Directory.

[dreckman]

Thanks for the leads, CR.  I'll see what I/they can come up with.
Dave

[Steve Passmore]

Not a great picture Dave but you get the idea.

[dreckman]

Thanks for taking the time to get the picture for me, Steve.  I now have a much better idea of what I'm looking for.

Looking at the step plate from underneath, in your picture, I was wondering if this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/150958281996?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

is what the real thing, or a correct repro, looks like?

Happy New Year everyone.

Dave

[Steve Passmore]

That's just a re pro Dave and not very good or correct. The top pattern is not quite right nor is the underside detail.

[dreckman]

Thanks again, Steve.

[Bruce Berghoff -#1476]

David... I made these for my '38 LaSalle about 15 years ago. bb

[dreckman]

Thanks so much, Bruce.   Hey, Steve, and anyone else needing steps for their '37 and '38 rumble seat coupes, I've been in touch with Bruce and am buying a set from him.  He can send you pictures of his repros and they look great.  Includes the steps, and either the bumper bracket support or the fender support.  You can contact him here or through his address in the CLC directory.  Dave