Thread by @iowahawkblog

Today's #DavesCarIDService is brought to you by the all new 1927 LaSalle. Visit your local LaSalle dealer and learn why LaSalle is the Favorite in Smart Circles Everywhere!

(and happy birthday to LaSalle, born March 5, 1927; ad illustrated by Edward A. Wilson)

As soon as people decipher Archie & Edith sang "gee our old LaSalle ran great" their first question is "what's a LaSalle?"

Basically a spinoff brand of Cadillac. LaSalles had Caddy engines, gave Caddy-LaSalle dealers a low price option without sullying Caddy's elite image.

Sadly the LaSalle brand came to an end in 1940, after making some very handsome models.

At one time most GM brands had a lower price companion brand; Cadillac/LaSalle, Oakland/Pontiac, Buick/Marquette, Olds/Viking. Pontiac the only one to survive its parent.

Not to mention Hudson/Essex, Studebaker/Erskine, etc. The auto industry is a true marvel of brand positioning.

But my brand is car IDing, so time to get at it - but please rise to recite the car ID request quality pledge:

To the victor (and his wife) goes the spoils, as Aunt Nancy demonstrates in her brand-spanking-new 1959 Chevy Corvette in Oct 1958. Sad to learn of her untimely demise.

https://twitter.com/edwardcossette/status/1631342424680284160

Now here's a banger of a photo: I am foremost a Mid Century Modern fan, but boy howdy a California Craftsman also gets my architectural attention. The celebrated lady magician Miss Armstrong & pals arrived there in a 1934 Ford.

https://twitter.com/jenealogist/status/1630979678792974352

*may I say I very much appreciate high resolution photo requests, the details of a photo can be delightful.

These Depression era urchins are with a Deuce, but not the Ford of car song fame; it's a 1932 Chevy Eagle sedan. Looks like barn to left contains one of those newfangled disk harrows.

https://twitter.com/swizze_gfrank/status/1630049573551894529

* "Deuce" refers to the 2 in 1932; generally refers to the beloved 1932 Ford flathead V8, though "Chevy Deuce" is accepted.

That 1932 Chevy Eagle hood ornament was quite a handsome little sculpture.

You had to roll in an Oldsmobile to join the notorious Cheesehead Unks street gang. L-R: 1951 Olds 88 sedan, 1952 Olds Super 88, 1946-47 Olds Dynamic sedan.

https://twitter.com/garygator1/status/1629872096657408001

These lads are deeply regretting whatever mischief resulted in them being lined up next to a 1936 Ford Tudor for a stern reprimand.

https://twitter.com/GilliamLaw/status/1629163343066824704

"It was his idea," they both muttered.

I've received quite a few souvenir giant tree drive-thru photos before, tho most all from California; this is the first I can remember from Washington. The car here is a 1918 Franklin 9B touring.

https://twitter.com/HazeDoran/status/1627453420818034690

*that "coal scuttle" style hood was common in European cars, but unique to Franklin in the US (also seen on Mack and a few other trucks). Hinged in front, and the whole hood flipped forward for engine access. Franklin eventually went to a more conventional look after 1920.

The tent roll on the running board says these hardy folks were ready to rough it what is now part of the Greater LA sprawl. Pretty sure the background car is a c. 1911 Cadillac Model 30; nearest is tougher call, but I believe a c.1911 Oakland 40.

https://twitter.com/MatthewBowdish/status/1627392182373203969

Another fine shot of a family roughing it, with some challenging car IDs. Roadster to left is a 1921-23 Studebaker EJ; back yonder I think is a 1921ish Buick 23 (iffy confidence level). Not enough visible of car on right for me to venture a guess.

https://twitter.com/dougbentley/status/1627389034543845376

After Slate Gravel & Quarry sold out to Split Rock and upgraded to steam shovels from dinosaurs, Fred Flintstone traded in his Cavemobile for a 1917ish Buick D45 touring.

https://twitter.com/macado6413/status/1627036299487215618

The great Lakota Sioux chief is cranking a 1907ish Pope-Toledo Type XV. Iron Tail's image appears on the Indian head/ buffalo nickel, and he toured with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. Some digging reveals that the car was Buffalo Bill's. (ht @ymdub58)

https://twitter.com/historydefined/status/1625004445523140609

The neighborhood gals could barely contain their thirst when Great Gramps was out in the driveway waxing up his 1937 Hudson Terraplane. (ht @davidknightsesq)

https://twitter.com/MercurialMiss/status/1631477707606302720

There are compact cars, there are microcars, and then there is the 1916ish Smith Flyer, the smallest and cheapest production car ever made (generally classified as a 'cyclecar'). Powered by a Smith Motor Wheel. (ht @aakBoston)

https://twitter.com/YawuMiller/status/1631433118258216960

*here's a Smith Motor Wheel, also sold as a cheap way to convert a bicycle to gasoline power. On the Flyer, a lever would lift or drop it to the ground for power.

Smith sold out to Briggs & Stratton, and it became the B&S Flyer, and finally the Auto Red Bug.

*if nothing else, I hope these threads help illustrate the bottomless rabbit hole that is automotive history.

HEYYY YYABBOTT!

Speaking of the infinitely deep rabbit hole of auto history, Lou Costello is showing off his stunt skills on the Universal backlot, atop a California-made 1940ish Powell Streamliner scooter with side car.

https://twitter.com/WCespar/status/1630614165575417876

*Powell would later make the Powell Sport Wagon, with its wacky pull-out fishing pole drawers.

Like I said, an endless rabbit hole.

I'm guessing this flyboy was stationed in the UK; in #2 outside the Galaxy is a 1972ish MG MGB coupe and a smidge of a BMW 318? In #3 at the fish & chips is... 1982ish Ford Fiesta? Probably wrong, but a car really not in my wheelhouse.

https://twitter.com/JRPfeff/status/1629527989393170438

Time to move on to some street & wilderness finds, like this swanky 1960 Ford Falcon Ranchero. First year for the small Ranchero after the full size 1957-59s. Would later be based on the midsize Fairlane.

https://twitter.com/hoseapluma/status/1629182441406562306

That'd be a 65 Chevy C10.

https://twitter.com/toddva99/status/1629145161509883904

Know your Tri-5 (55-56-57) Chevys! This is a 56 Bel Air 2 door hardtop; the gas filler tube is behind left taillight housing, which hinged out like a door.

https://twitter.com/robert_dunaway/status/1628762040503349249

1963 Studebaker GT Hawk.

https://twitter.com/Malvenue/status/1628250458706833409

1947-53 Chevy Suburban. Yep, Chevy has been making Suburbans since 1936, and I believe it's the longest continually offered model name of all vehicles.

https://twitter.com/dukemeiser/status/1628211805297209345

Cadillac's Cadillac is a 75-76 Eldorado droptop. (ht @AUTigerx89)

https://twitter.com/AuburnFootball/status/1627404851863818242

1928 Ford Model A phaeton.

https://twitter.com/ajwimsatt/status/1632090671245869056

*neat car, but for early Model A phaetons in Austin, I prefer my buddy Mr. Cooper's.

https://twitter.com/ARTofCOOP/status/1632083057283874816

In honor of LaSalle's birthday, here's a last-model-year 1940, along with a 1960 Rambler American.

https://twitter.com/Schulzke/status/1626980245604798465

Will have to close today off with one more LaSalle, this one a 1933 Model 345 Town Sedan. Dig those awesome taillights.

https://twitter.com/gwatts3516/status/1632440659368980481

Keep those terrific family pics coming, I'll add them to my inbox and will back next weekend for more car detective work. Until then, Happy Motoring!