From the '55 Motorama to the junkyard and back! This is the story of the LaSalle II Roadster & Sedan

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  • Опубликовано: 11 дек 2024

Комментарии • 140

  • @BortzCars
    @BortzCars 7 дней назад +22

    Joe Bortz said that he got a nice present on his birthday with the video on the two 1955 LaSalles that was made by Jonathan Eisen, Associate Curator Petersen Automotive Museum. Jonee’s almost 12 minute video brought up a few facts on the car that even Joe was not aware of. Jonee did bring up the fact that the two LaSalles had the most advanced engines of the day. These V6, aluminum block, double overhead cam, fuel injected engines that Joe says could have been the turning point in automotive American history. Had General Motors picked up on this engineering phenomena for motor design and put them into the GM production cars long before the Europeans started doing it in the late 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, Joe says it would have changed General Motors history at the turn of the century when GM ran into problems.
    Again, Joe wants to congratulate Jonee Eisen on the wonderful video and within 24 hours the video had 10,000 hits, that may be a record on its own.

    • @PetersenMuseum
      @PetersenMuseum  6 дней назад +3

      We are super happy you guys enjoyed the video and grateful you provided us with such rich material to work with.

    • @markfortin421
      @markfortin421 4 дня назад +1

      I live about 5 miles from the old Warhoops and spent many hours scouring the old yard
      ( carefully watching for the old skunk that lived there) and had no idea these wonderful cars resided there. They probably had them hidden in one of the 20 schoolbusses that resided full of parts in case GM came snooping around.
      Its now a neat clean U-Pick-it yard with no remnants of the old days, old cars, and wild animals.
      Thanks for a wonderful video, and thanks to Warhoops for saving those cars.

  • @DaleC.
    @DaleC. 8 дней назад +43

    A little corvette, Lil buick, some studebaker, some stutz, dash of lincoln, Lil bit of checker. Tons of inspiration right here.

    • @PetersenMuseum
      @PetersenMuseum  8 дней назад +3

      Best way to summarize it. How did you like the Christmas story?

    • @panheadsforever74
      @panheadsforever74 6 дней назад +2

      ​@PetersenMuseum. loved it.

    • @panheadsforever74
      @panheadsforever74 6 дней назад +3

      He wanted to spend Christmas with his family, but deep down, he knew not to let them get crushed .

    • @PetersenMuseum
      @PetersenMuseum  5 дней назад +2

      @@panheadsforever74 That's how we feel too!

  • @CrazedSymptoms
    @CrazedSymptoms 2 дня назад +1

    That roadster is super cool!

  • @EvanMoon
    @EvanMoon 8 дней назад +16

    So excited that we can see cars that were showed as “ cars of the future future” made in years past. I think these cars look so much better than what are sitting in showrooms today

  • @howardgreenman2908
    @howardgreenman2908 7 дней назад +9

    So glad these and other cars were saved and grateful to Joe Bortz for doing so. I. Saw and spoke to him at Amelia Island a few years ago when this car was on display. He was friendly and gracious and told me all about the car.

  • @markdoyle9642
    @markdoyle9642 5 дней назад +2

    Gene Stapleton a.k.a. Edith Bunker sang: Boy our Old LaSalle Ran great...Those Were the Days!
    All In The Family RESPECT!

  • @Palaemon44
    @Palaemon44 5 дней назад +4

    According to an extensive article in Collectible Automobiles, the ‘63 Riviera was envisioned as a possible revival of the LaSalle brand. The vertical headlight covers in the styling model, that became turn signals in the first two years, then headlight covers again in ‘65 were suggestive of the LasSalle’s tall narrow grille with horizontal bars. GM dropped the idea of reviving LaSalle, but Buick wanted a personal luxury coupe to compete with the Thunderbird.

  • @bobmarker6812
    @bobmarker6812 6 дней назад +4

    My favorite was the '54 La Espada. I also liked the reverse C pillars and wrap around rear windows on the late 1950's GM cars.

  • @redband6011
    @redband6011 6 дней назад +4

    I lived near Warhoops and old cars were my hobby from around 1980 to now. A good friend and I used to go there to look for parts. I had a 56 Chevy pickup and found an original seat and a 62 Impala SS that I would find parts for. This was before the internet and the restoration parts explosion so we searched through magazines and junk yards to find what we needed. I remember seeing several of these cars there. They were parked together up front near their office and I remember always stopping to look at them, thinking they were some kind of backyard builds with oddball parts thrown together. I was stunned years later when I saw an article highlighting the existence of these vehicles. I can still picture them to this day just sitting out in the elements. Warhoops was only 6 miles north of the GM tech center so it made sense they land there.

    • @Baldskul
      @Baldskul 6 дней назад +1

      I lived in Utica and bought a Bugeye Sprite from Warhoops in the early 70's.

    • @PetersenMuseum
      @PetersenMuseum  6 дней назад +1

      Amazing story. Thank you for sharing. If you were to go back. Would you make an offer on one of these?

  • @rickfry6031
    @rickfry6031 8 дней назад +6

    You can look at either of these beauties and see their influence on future models. The sedan for instance, the top of the front fender are reminiscent of a 60 Caddy, the rear wind says Camaro to me, the front windshield Buick and Pontiac, and I can see hints of 58 Impala in the roof line, and I love that steering wheel. And a Nomad Tailgate rear roll pan. The V-6 is a great GMC engine today.

  • @KurtClark
    @KurtClark 4 дня назад +2

    I would love to see that La Salle "kissing door" sedan repopped as a fiberglas body kit that can be placed on a modern chassis! That thing is beautiful.

  • @louvierejacques
    @louvierejacques 5 дней назад +2

    just came here from Car Wow, watched this and I already love this channel. the presenter, copy, story, pace, camera work, and level of detail are all excellent, and that convertible is head -spinningly beautiful. thanks for making this!

    • @PetersenMuseum
      @PetersenMuseum  5 дней назад

      Hey! Thank you so much and we just hope we won't disappoint you!

  • @JS.436
    @JS.436 8 дней назад +8

    Very well - and maturely - presented. Thank you!

  • @cdstoc
    @cdstoc 2 часа назад

    I was at the Petersen last month and saw these cars. They're so beautiful in person. I've heard about the Motorman shows since I was a kid in the 1960's, seeing these vestiges of the shows was thrilling. Thanks for the video!

  • @Clyne-sv4hd
    @Clyne-sv4hd 6 дней назад +3

    Great little cars...glad they were saved 👏👍

  • @fob1xxl
    @fob1xxl 7 дней назад +3

    Visited PETERSON several times since they opened. Lots of fun !

  • @Wooley689
    @Wooley689 7 дней назад +1

    This was incredible, so glad those guys kept those cars all those years.

  • @Peter-pv8xx
    @Peter-pv8xx 5 часов назад

    You can't help but think of the theme song of all in the family and the last line which goes, gee our old LaSalle ran great those were the days.

  • @hughjass1835
    @hughjass1835 6 дней назад +4

    "Gee, that old Lasalle ran great, those were the days..."

    • @markdoyle9642
      @markdoyle9642 5 дней назад +1

      Gene Stapleton, a.k.a Edith driving in one of these makes my heart sparkle...Archie only had a Chair (Huge Smile) RESPECT!

  • @bobschenkel7921
    @bobschenkel7921 2 дня назад

    It is cool that Joe Bortz found out that these cars were in the junkyard and saved them. There should be more people like Mr. Bortz who have the money, time and interest to do these salvage jobs on unique one off cars, and concept cars. And thanks to the Peterson Auto Museum for further saving the cars from the crusher.

  • @rpsmith2990
    @rpsmith2990 8 дней назад +2

    I remember seeing the restored Chevrolet Biscayne at the 2010 Meadowbrook Concours d'Elegance, and the La Salle IIs at Amelia Island three years later. They were stunning to see. It's a shame that the Corvette Impala concept hadn't survived...

  • @Pauley_in_GP
    @Pauley_in_GP 8 дней назад +4

    Thanks for another great video. I have visited the Petersen a number of times over the years when I lived in LA.
    I've read quite a bit about GM's Motoramas - so many great stories. Sure wish I could walk through that display and see those in person.

    • @PetersenMuseum
      @PetersenMuseum  8 дней назад +1

      Thank you so much for your message. This is in fact the purpose of these video. To show our loyal visitor that the museum with its ever changing display it's a new experience every time you have a chance to visit but also we want to showcase exhibitions and cars that for one reason or another you are unable to see in person. We will highlight two more cars from the Motorama in the near future!

    • @Pauley_in_GP
      @Pauley_in_GP 8 дней назад +2

      @@PetersenMuseum Very much looking forward to it.

  • @guypehaim1080
    @guypehaim1080 5 дней назад +1

    The rear window on the hardtop LaSalle looks just like the rear window on the 1955 Studebaker President series autos. It looks so similar that it would fit the Studebaker.

  • @Rosetti.
    @Rosetti. 4 дня назад +1

    Man... That's a NICE car.

  • @RichadTheLionHeat
    @RichadTheLionHeat 7 дней назад +1

    Excellent, informative, full in-depth engineering and design history. Which is absolutely very much appreciated. I have sent and shared your video program to family, friends, colleagues both military and law enforcement, the car clubs I belong to. Chevrolet, Ford, British, German, Japanese, Pontiac, etc. looking forward to other video from the museum! Just outstanding. Second to NONE! 😎👍🏻🏎️⛽️🚓😎👍🏻👍🏻

    • @PetersenMuseum
      @PetersenMuseum  6 дней назад +1

      Thank you so much for helping us share the video!

  • @ferrochinabisleri1587
    @ferrochinabisleri1587 7 дней назад +4

    Great story and cars!

  • @JamesAllmond
    @JamesAllmond 8 дней назад +3

    See you in the spring! Riding out that way (yes, on my Avatar or something like it) this spring from Georgia, because I can.

    • @PetersenMuseum
      @PetersenMuseum  8 дней назад

      Make sure you drop us a message on our Instagram DM when you come!

  • @ClassicChrome86
    @ClassicChrome86 7 дней назад +1

    This is a very awesome video. It’s so cool seeing these old motoramma cars. Thanks for posting

  • @nudaveritas6322
    @nudaveritas6322 8 дней назад +2

    THANKS FOR THE SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • @The_R-n-I_Guy
    @The_R-n-I_Guy 8 дней назад +3

    Its a shame so many unique cars were destroyed in those days. Thankfully these were saved

    • @PetersenMuseum
      @PetersenMuseum  8 дней назад +1

      What we find incredible is that one of the biggest conglomerate of brands (GM) didn't own a crasher. Their loss... our gain!

    • @panheadsforever74
      @panheadsforever74 6 дней назад +1

      ​@@PetersenMuseumthank god they didn't .

  • @DavidBarwick-hb7eo
    @DavidBarwick-hb7eo 8 дней назад +1

    I al.ways loved the LaSalle dream cars.

  • @benjaminde-campos5136
    @benjaminde-campos5136 5 дней назад +2

    Cool wall graphics

  • @trappedinkalifornee
    @trappedinkalifornee 7 дней назад

    Thank god SOME of those beauties survived👍🏼👍🏼

  • @brianradwanski6544
    @brianradwanski6544 8 дней назад +1

    I grew up not far from war hoops junkyard. I vividly remember the biscayne stacked atop an old Plymouth. I was a car nut. I always knew that car was not a product. I knew them all and that car didn't look like anything Id ever known Was wild as the news spread that it was an old concept car. I don't remember seeing the Lasalles though. Indidnt realise the collector intentionally maintained one in the jumkyard state. Very cool.

  • @atleeriksen8514
    @atleeriksen8514 8 дней назад +2

    Great video and narrating. One can clearly see design elements that were later used in production.. like the taillight design. Similar that where used on 58 Pontiacs. Peterson Museum is on my bucket list for sure. Thanks for sharing.

    • @PetersenMuseum
      @PetersenMuseum  7 дней назад +1

      We will be here, waiting for you, with great exhibits that won't let you down!

  • @THROTTLEPOWER
    @THROTTLEPOWER 6 дней назад +1

    Great vid!! 👍👍

  • @jeffreydiechman4632
    @jeffreydiechman4632 7 дней назад +1

    Excellent video! I love concept cars of all ages, especially the cars Detroit “never made”. The LaSalle ll sedan resembles the Chevrolet Biscayne concept from same era.

  • @garywilloughby6893
    @garywilloughby6893 8 дней назад +1

    I love love these cars.

  • @pilsudski36
    @pilsudski36 6 дней назад

    The Aluminum brake drums with iron liners were standard equipment on the large Buicks from 1958 to 1969, when discs took over. While they were very effective, they were costly, and no other GM divisions adopted them.

  • @oldfordcarsandtrucks
    @oldfordcarsandtrucks 7 дней назад +1

    Thank you! I learned something new today! 👍

  • @jeffreymartin6369
    @jeffreymartin6369 7 дней назад +1

    Reminds me mostly of the Corvette and LaSalle was a little sister to Cadillac sporty very dependable and stylish but less expensive. It was a great alternative for the wife or the children of the Cadillac owners. This version was probably never really seriously considered as a production vehicle. I wonder however if it would have been well met by Cadillac owners it would have been offered at Cadillac dealers.

  • @ArgentPure
    @ArgentPure 4 дня назад +1

    That was awesome!

  • @chrisjeffries2322
    @chrisjeffries2322 7 дней назад +2

    Thank you for this share.

  • @craigconroy3785
    @craigconroy3785 6 дней назад

    wow that was super interesting video, what a great story ! Lovely cars, thanks for sharing 👍

  • @StephenKoselke
    @StephenKoselke 6 дней назад

    I formerly worked for Larry Claypool at the Vair Shop, a specialty shop in Corvairs and other unusual vehicles, micro and min cars.
    I worked on both of these cars, along with Larry and his good friend and master technician Gary Ross who dismantled and freed up the brakes on them. The brakes inside the wheel hub were similar only to a rare Pontiac setup i found reference to in one of Floyd Clymers many books.The tire was bonded to the rim, and to remove it there were many multi point lug nuts on the inside of the rim. To mount or dismount one of these would have been a nightmare.
    The rim and lug nuts so to speak, like almost everything else metal on these cars was chromed, including the suspension parts. Most of it was pealing and flaking.
    The roadster was actually cut in half across the middle. Today it looks nothing like when i worked on it. ( before it went to the restorer). It had also sunk into mud about halfway up the body.
    The story i heard was that GM still considered these to be their property and that Mr. Bortz had a friend at GM who basically told the junk yard they should make a deal with Mr. Bortz kind of or else.
    Im amazed at how nice the roadster looks compared to when i saw it.
    The sedan i lowered the driver side control arm at one point, and was impressed even that was chromed.
    The V6 twin cam fuel injected mocked up engine gave me pause at the time…it reminded me of the 3.4 liter twin cam optional in the Chevy Lumina.
    Later i was privileged to tune up Mr. Bortzs Lincoln concept car, which was black, had a wooden frame, with no suspension, and dub style wheel/tire composites ( one piece) with the name of the car molded in the rubber.
    I drove that car around Larrys parking lot very slowly as it had no springs or shocks at that time.
    Thanks to Joe Bortz and the Petersen for making this possible.

    • @PetersenMuseum
      @PetersenMuseum  6 дней назад

      Thanks for sharing your experience. Mr Eisen and I were amazed reading your comment.

  • @dillonvossen1144
    @dillonvossen1144 6 дней назад

    gorgeous - thank you!

  • @AlbertRobinson-v3y
    @AlbertRobinson-v3y 6 дней назад

    What an interesting video.. Thank you !!

  • @ronniebrown806
    @ronniebrown806 8 дней назад +4

    Saved by the bell... ❤

  • @vdavis4785
    @vdavis4785 2 дня назад

    Now we need a volunteer to copy the roadster and make one that runs! Should be easy with 3D printing! (I suppose a couple million dollars would help.) One of the early Buick aluminum engines would be a possible powerplant.

  • @jamesszalla4274
    @jamesszalla4274 6 дней назад

    The sedan is reminiscent of Studebaker designs of the period. The two seater definitely has cues that made it onto the Corvette.

  • @garyhalmbacher6875
    @garyhalmbacher6875 6 дней назад +2

    Back when America had unlimited confidence in the future and actually made things.
    - A 73 year old ex-GM employee.

  • @rogerdale5451
    @rogerdale5451 7 часов назад

    ..."Gee, our old LaSalle ran great"... Those were the days"... (All in the Family)

  • @frankE91210
    @frankE91210 7 дней назад +1

    the sedan is unreal, the roadster aged too look like a jeep+corvette almost im sure would of been a hoot.

  • @jamesdellaneve9005
    @jamesdellaneve9005 7 дней назад +3

    As a kid growing up during the decline of American cars in the 1970’s, I always ignored these design cars knowing that they’d produce ugly, poorly produced cars that rusted within 5 years.

  • @rogerdale5451
    @rogerdale5451 7 часов назад

    The only reasons I'd go to LA, is for a few mid-century-modern, and/or FLW architectural relics, and the Peterson.
    Where have we seen these wheels? Something in the 80s or 90s?

  • @Derpy1969
    @Derpy1969 7 дней назад +2

    4:55 all aluminum motor? Chevy Vega has entered the room.
    …and promptly leaks oil all over the ground.

  • @stephenberry1205
    @stephenberry1205 7 дней назад

    Pity they did not come to fruition..
    1955 Citroen released the DS19... An even higher wow factor.

  • @SchnelleKat
    @SchnelleKat 2 дня назад

    Super rad! I am very curious about the Sedans v6 engine, is it complete or just hollow inside ? (If this makes any factual) sense. I sure hope at some point the engine is restored instead of corroding away.

  • @avq5
    @avq5 4 дня назад

    Where did get the windshield, etc for the Lasalle 2 sedan? Looks like it was missing when the car was found. Was that stock glass off another model?

  • @Cool5380
    @Cool5380 5 дней назад +1

    That roaster lasalle it looks more like the Corvette then the corvette!

  • @observer3232
    @observer3232 6 дней назад

    Good video. I had no idea LaSalle was a GM brand. How unbelievably short sighted that the brass at GM decided it wasn't worth the money to properly store these concept vehicles in a museum! Instead they sent them to a junkyard to be destroyed-absolutely no sense of history. But then the Big 3 made plenty of foolish mistakes.

  • @michaelholder3933
    @michaelholder3933 5 дней назад +1

    The little white car in the first part of the video is a nice car. What we have today are cars I refer to as wind tunnel turds. There is no design team. They take a rectangular box and put it in a wind tunnel and blow off everything not required to seat four tiny adults. Give me something in decent shape from the 40s or 50s and I would drive it daily with pride. Modern cars are an embarrassment. Can you imagine 15 years from now anyone wanting to restore a 1998 ( anything ) ?

    • @PetersenMuseum
      @PetersenMuseum  5 дней назад

      Mercedes R129... BMW Z3 Coupe... Ferrari F355... Porsche Boxter... Jaguar XJ8... yes we can.

  • @hcombs0104
    @hcombs0104 6 дней назад

    Those wheels look very similar to the hubcaps of a 1962 Ford Galaxie 500.

  • @rockeroller
    @rockeroller 7 дней назад

    1977 Firebird has this rear window design

  • @ifga16
    @ifga16 6 дней назад

    What were the other three cars in the stash?

    • @PetersenMuseum
      @PetersenMuseum  6 дней назад +1

      You'll have to watch the following videos on the Motorama Exhibition!

  • @SuperMcgenius
    @SuperMcgenius 7 дней назад +2

    It’s so sad that all these American engineers with great talent were Throttled by bean counters and corporate greed. It seems to me that if they were given a chance, the best American cars would have decimated the German cars, but short-term thinking, killed that😢

  • @bearlogg7974
    @bearlogg7974 7 дней назад +1

    There is a certain something about a "car of tomorrow" left to rot

  • @lyndalanthony635
    @lyndalanthony635 6 дней назад

    What is the background song?

  • @1208bug
    @1208bug 6 дней назад

    😊👍

  • @mortenhansen3455
    @mortenhansen3455 6 дней назад

    I know for a fact, people back in the day calling them trash. That they have NOT seen a Fiat Panda!

    • @PetersenMuseum
      @PetersenMuseum  6 дней назад

      Fiat Panda are awesome and the Sysley version is going up.

    • @mortenhansen3455
      @mortenhansen3455 5 дней назад

      @@PetersenMuseumI beg to differ in every way, shape and form.

    • @PetersenMuseum
      @PetersenMuseum  5 дней назад

      @@mortenhansen3455 I'd love to hear your reasonings. I happen to know the Panda extremely well. Not an advocate but just curious.

  • @edyates7601
    @edyates7601 6 дней назад

    So would gm still be the owner of the cars since the yard didn't destroy them per the contract

  • @mebeasensei
    @mebeasensei День назад

    Sedan looks like a Studebaker and a Valiant

  • @Alfetta158
    @Alfetta158 4 дня назад

    1955 is the 'middle' of the Space Age? Sputnik 1 hadn't even gone up yet.

  • @vladpootin5973
    @vladpootin5973 8 дней назад +1

    🇺🇸🦅

  • @cnoshoes7049
    @cnoshoes7049 4 дня назад +1

    That might have handled well but it wouldn't have gone around corners very well in the wets with those old cross-play tires set of radials probably hadn't been invented invented

  • @Raaddller
    @Raaddller 6 дней назад +1

    That motor doesn't look anything like a V6. If any, it looks like an "U" engine. The blocks look parallel to each other !!!

    • @PetersenMuseum
      @PetersenMuseum  5 дней назад +1

      It never worked so we will never know.

  • @robertdinicola9225
    @robertdinicola9225 8 дней назад +1

    Looks alot like a 57 vette

  • @RobertGuidry-f3f
    @RobertGuidry-f3f 6 дней назад

    Too wild, but these are concepts so they would not have made it to production. Smaller versions of the 1957 Cadillac would have been a good idea.

  • @uncleronny6748
    @uncleronny6748 7 дней назад

    Petersen embraces some povertycore aesthetic in displaying that sedan...well done.

    • @PetersenMuseum
      @PetersenMuseum  6 дней назад

      I have been reading this for 3 days and still don't fully understand it.

  • @MAC-ws8fz
    @MAC-ws8fz 6 дней назад

    'KISSING DOORS"? Yeah, one wouldn't want to say "Suicide Doors', would one??...Oh, you sweetie, you!

    • @Grand_Prix_Racer
      @Grand_Prix_Racer 6 дней назад

      The rear ones are suicide doors but the arrangement of front hinged front doors and rear hinged rear doors that come together in the middle have also been called coach doors, saloon doors, or kissing doors. This isn't just something he made up, and I only see one person here policing words, look in a mirror.

    • @PetersenMuseum
      @PetersenMuseum  6 дней назад

      @Grand_Prix_Racer thank you.

    • @PetersenMuseum
      @PetersenMuseum  6 дней назад

      @MAC-ws8fz You are right, we are sweet but also there are some key words that will trigger a you tube review of the video. You call them one way and we called them another. Peace.

  • @nozzledrich
    @nozzledrich 7 дней назад

    Why do people think incessant background muzak is good production value? .........

    • @PetersenMuseum
      @PetersenMuseum  7 дней назад

      Most people like it. Not all of you. Thank you for sharing your opinion!

  • @stoveguy2133
    @stoveguy2133 6 дней назад

    Do bmw EV’s have clown grilles?

  • @Floridaredwing25
    @Floridaredwing25 6 дней назад

    Dude, its fricking based on a Corvette! Duh 🙄

  • @opera93
    @opera93 8 дней назад

    Well, thanks: a “ collector”, & monies ( & INDUSTRY)……..of course.

    • @PetersenMuseum
      @PetersenMuseum  8 дней назад +2

      Come again?

    • @opera93
      @opera93 8 дней назад

      @ meaning “ salesmanship’s drama, too.” ( But, oddly interesting, Motoroma Promo display’s ,:etc.)…..

  • @Pops1948
    @Pops1948 8 дней назад +1

    After '54 the US began a quest to build the ugliest cars on the planet . . . continues to this day

  • @notj5712
    @notj5712 6 дней назад

    Lost to see these cars. But, Peterson, where did all the money go? Money laundering much?

  • @dinsdaleseven1627
    @dinsdaleseven1627 7 дней назад

    The terms used and occasional missteps betray his not being a real "car guy". That's OK though. Better than the conversely tedious expert that smugly points out minor mistakes. Who was that jerk I saw in the mirror this morning?

    • @JonathanEisen-x5g
      @JonathanEisen-x5g 6 дней назад

      Been a "car guy" my whole life. My father used to design car interiors.

    • @PetersenMuseum
      @PetersenMuseum  6 дней назад

      It's sad you have found the time to write such vitriolic note. But we would love to have you at the museum and discuss how we can improve. @dinsdaleseven1627