Wednesday, March 17, 2021
Southpoint Sun - 23
1939 LaSalle convertible: Where is it now? In 1980, two brothers from Toronto liberated a 1939 LaSalle convertible from a chicken coop in Clinton, Ontario. This car had been used for years in the local Shriners Parade. No longer running, the two brothers towed it home to Toronto but never got around to fixing it up. It was finally sold to persons unknown. We are wondering where it is today. We are also wondering if anyone in the Clinton, Ontario, area remembers it from Shriners Parades and maybe has a photo of it. It may have been red since new but probably not. Older convertibles were often repainted red to make them look flashier and that could be the case here. The LaSalle was named after the French explorer of the Mississippi River and was introduced in 1927 as a less expensive companion car to the Cadillac. This was in keeping with GM President Alfred P. Sloan’s marketing philosophy: build cars for every purse and pocketbook. Oakland got the Pontiac, Buick got the Marquette, Olds got the Viking,
THE OLD CAR DETECTIVE
sified as a 2-4 passenger car because the rear seats were opera seats that could be folded up out of the way for more lug-
gage space. I’m always looking for stories. Email billtsherk@sympatico.ca.
Bill Sherk and Cadillac got the LaSalle. The only GM car without a companion car was the Chevrolet. The last year you could buy a new LaSalle was 1940 because the bean counters at GM figured that make was pulling sales away from the more profitable Cadillacs. The first year without LaSalle was 1941 and that’s when Cadillac hit an all-time sales record! The 1939 LaSalle convertible shown here with the two brothers in 1980 was powered by a flathead V8 engine with 322 cubic inches and an impressive 125 horsepower. The gearshift lever was still on the floor but was moved up to the steering column the following year for LaSalle’s last year as a new car. The retail price for the convertible coupe was $1881 Canadian. It was clas-
Looking back 100 years
What was happening in March of 1921?
By C. Scott Holland Dipping into the archives of the old Leamington newspaper is always fun and often reveals many treasures. Here is what was happening back around March 17, 1921: Former federal and provincial Member of Parliament, Lewis Wigle, celebrated his 76th birthday with many guests, who had come from Windsor, Sarnia, Harrow, Kingsville, Leamington and even Ypsilanti, Michigan. Leamington town council debated several issues about the need for sewers on Ontario, Poplar, and Orange streets. As well, they considered the paving of Victoria (today’s Queens Ave.). Council passed a motion whereby they would purchase the easternmost lot at the end of Selkirk so the avenue joins with Victoria (Queens Ave.). Cost was $100 with council’s share being $42. Orville Stockwell sold his house on Erie St. S. to John Brack of Blenheim, a retired farmer. The price paid was $6,000. Navigation on Lake Erie was set to start on April 4th as two ships would ply the waters between Detroit and Cleveland. The Knox Presbyterian Church’s Young People’s Association would present the play “It Pays To Advertise” and would run for two dates in early April. Nickel coinage was proposed by federal Finance Minister Sir Henry Drayton. The denomination would be legal tender for payment of any amount not exceeding $10.
Two brothers in a 1939 LaSalle convertible coupe in 1980.
Community Calendar
VACCINATION CLINIC TRANSPORTATION SECC IS PROVIDING FREE TRANSPORTATION to/from the clinic. Give us a call at 519-326-8629. Please ensure you have an appointment before calling to arrange transportation. FRIDAYS UNTIL MARCH 26 ST. MICHAEL’S KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS LENTEN FISH FRY. Curbside pick up only. Pre-order before Thursday evening by calling: 519-326-0994 Pick up at St. Michael’s Church, 29 Elliott Street, John Street entrance to the Banquet Hall. ADULT UMPIRES NEEDED Former players or persons wishing to be part of the 3rd team on the diamond, we are looking for you! Expand your enjoyment of the game, earn some pocket money, stay involved with youth. Start your journey to become a baseball umpire. Give me a call - Marty 226-757-2371 and let me explain how you can fit in with our team. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7 DONATE BLOOD - Leamington Blood Donor Clinic - at the Leamingotn Lebanese Club, 447 Hwy. 77 Leamington. 1:00 - 7:00 p.m. Book ahead. Book now. Visit: blood.ca or call 1-888-236-6283.
ONGOING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - DO YOU LOVE POINT PELEE NATIONAL PARK? The Friends of Point Pelee are searching for Volunteer Board Members. If you are interested, please contact us by email: friendsofpointpelee@ gmail.com MIRACLE MOBILE MARKET - Free fresh produce boxes available in Wheatley every Tuesday from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. at Wheatley Baptist Church, 47 Talbot Road E. You can pick up a box and have option of paying it forward by donating and helping someone else. ERIE SHORES TOASTMASTERS Meeting online at 6:00 p.m. every other Wednesday. Next meetings are March 17 and 31. Develop your Communication and Leadership Skills in a positive, friendly environment. Visit a meeting and see how you like it! For more info Email: ErieShoresTM@yahoo.com Facebook: Erie Shores
Toastmasters or go to ErieShores.toastmastersclubs.org and click on Contact Us.
COMMUNITY TAKEOUT IS AVAILABLE at Leamington United Church, 4:00 - 5:00 pm every Monday. St. John’s Anglican Church also has takeout meals available every Wednesday from 4-5pm. Food and clothing are available from St. Vincent De Paul at St. Michael’s Parish, Salvation Army Food Bank, The warming Cross at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Food Cupboard at St. John’s Anglican church, The Bridge (ages 1424), Food Pantry at Parkdale Variety, neighbourhood pantry at Erie South and Marlborough and the Angel Pantry at St. John’s Anglican Church. All are free. All are welcome. ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT SOMEONE’S DRINKING? Al-Anon Family Groups meeting information: 519-790-7739 or www. alanonwindsoressex.com IF YOU WANT TO DRINK, THAT’S YOUR BUSINESS If you want to stop, we can help. Call Alcoholics Anonymous: 519-999-1234. RANDY ATKINSON FUND provides money for extras that OHIP doesn’t pay for or to help with unexpected expenses for cancer patients (e.g. hospital parking etc). If you, your group or organization would like to have a speaker explain the fund and its availability in this area, call 519-682-2580. PLAY ROTARY TV BINGO GAMES - Tuesday nights, live on TVCOGECO from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Can only be viewed in Chatham-Kent viewing areas. Support the community and purchase your cards from Adamson Guardian Drugs, Wheatley. Pick up your cards early! Play 5 different games on 3 faces in 1 hour. $3 for 15 ways to win and $2000 in prizes. MELO CLINIC & PREGNANCY CENTRE, 75 Erie Street South, Unit 103, Leamington, offers free and confidential services provided by registered nurses. Pregnancy tests, STI testing & treatment. Call 24/7 for confidential support 519-326-0612. Business calls 519-326-3821. www. pregnancycentre.net.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR IS NOW BACK IN THE SOUTHPOINT SUN
To place your event in the Community Calendar... Phone: 519-398-9098 • Email: sun@southpointsun.ca • or drop off at 194 Talbot St. E. Unit 2, Leamington LEWIS WIGLE
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