The 1934 LaSalle is one of the most striking cars of the Classic Era and one of the most important General Motors products of its time. While technically proffered as a “junior Cadillac,” it was its own excellent piece of engineering and, in fact, borrowed liberally from the Cadillac V-16 parts shelves, including even the lights, dashboard, wheels, disc wheel covers, fender skirts, chevrons, and “bi-plane” bumpers—the latter a beautiful touch exclusive to 1934. It was also a fine-driving automobile, as the first LaSalle product with hydraulic brakes.

Only about 600 Series 50 Convertible Coupes were produced for 1934. Significantly, like all 1934 to 1935 LaSalles, they have recently been recognized as Full Classics by the Classic Car Club of America.

According to its owner, the Convertible Coupe offered here was one of a believed 18 delivered new to Canada during the 1934 model year. Unusually, its build record includes this chassis and engine combination with a sedan body for export to Europe, though it is possible, given the presence of a correct body number tag for a convertible, that this arrangement was changed prior to delivery. The car was acquired in 1962 by well-known enthusiast Bob Warburton, in whose family’s ownership it was a regular entrant in the Antique and Classic Car Club of Canada’s Concours d’Elegance held at the Inn on the Park in Toronto. Most notably, the LaSalle that the Warburtons dubbed “The Golden Fleece” was one of 16 automobiles invited for display in the Cavalcade of Cars at the 1964 New York World’s Fair.

The Warburtons put “The Golden Fleece” into storage around 1980 and there it remained until 2021, when it was acquired by the present owner, himself a longtime Ontario enthusiast. Following considerable fresh restoration work, including a new interior, the car debuted at the 2022 Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance in Kemble, Ontario, receiving the Tom Thomson Art Gallery Timeless Design award. It presents today in the same beautiful condition, finished inside and out in the rare but correct 1934 LaSalle color known as Argentina Orange—always a literal showstopper.