Cool Lasalle Transmission

Transmission Specialties used '37 Cad/LaSalles, which are floor shifts in stock configuration (1 year model). You could bolt one to an Olds or Cad engine with a stock standard shift bell housing. I had one in my '57 Olds.

When parts for the floor shift trans began getting scarce, I switched to using sideshift Cad transmissions, which were plentiful ('38-'53) and cheap. I used a '56 Corvette 3-speed shifter, which reversed the pattern (low was left and forward).

Eventually I switched to a B&M Hydro-Stick. Didn't have the same coolness factor, but the car's performance and reliability went up tremendously.

 

Saw this on Cragis list pretty neat conversion to a 3 speed.. use to be side shift..

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/pts/3203018857.html

 

That's pretty cool as it has syncro first (3 brass rings )

I just wonder what adapters could be used to hook to our different makes of vintage motors.

 

Very cool!

 

I'm love this thread!!!!!!! more more!!

 

very cool..

 

I just found the twin to this trans and posted about it yesterday (5-17-13). I was led to by a hamber posting to my thread. There is a lot more info here and I thought it should be brought to the top. I'd like to find the parts to make it a full functioning 3 spd. if anyone knows a source. Norm

 

If you are not in a hurry, I'd wait for a local swap meet complete long tail sideshift Cad/LaS trans complete. Long tail sideshifts do not get much attention here in my area at swaps, so should be reasonable in most areas?.

Trying to buy one piece at a time could be a disaster, as other GM family gears look identical but won't fit. Also, the 1st/rev sliding gear is tough to find in useable condition. Minor chipping is totally normal, but avoid chunks missing, and look at the wear surface of the teeth to see if the gear is just plain worn out.

I just sold the last of what I had for Cad/LaS/50 Olds internals to a dealer; I have nothing left

 

thats badass, hot rod magazine did an article in the 50's on how to convert a top shift lasalle by removing the tail shaft to adapt a enclosed early ford drive shaft...neat article, Illhave to look for it

 

I believe that trans was built by Lou Sales. In So. Ca. I have one in my 31 roadster. The car was built in the late 50s early 60s, and the transmission is also converted to a closed driveshaft. I have a little bit of grinding going into second gear...