Collectors and historic auto enthusiasts have debated whether or not the LaSalle was killed off too soon, or not soon enough. Though sales of LaSalle traditionally ran notably higher than those of Cadillac, there is some debate that LaSalle's close association with Cadillac diluted the marque's exclusive cachet. And in 1941, the first model year without LaSalle, Cadillac set an all-time sales record. In contrast, Packard eventually suffered by carrying inexpensive models for too long, compromising its reputation and sales strength as an equal luxury car competitor to Cadillac.
Of the four companion marques, only Pontiac survived, eclipsing the Oakland in 1931.
LaSalle in popular culture
- One of the most famous popular culture references to the LaSalle is in "Those Were the Days," the theme song to the TV show All in the Family, with the line "Gee our old LaSalle ran great." In later seasons they carefully enunciated this line, because with the disappearance of the car from the market, viewers could not figure out what it referred to.
- A blue LaSalle was featured in the Adventures of Tintin book, King Ottokar's Sceptre[1] .
- Black LaSalle hearse appeared in the first James Bond movie Dr No. Car was used by henchmen in the first action scene, further as a
