1938 LaSalle Production - GM Heritage Center

In front of the driver is the instrument cluster
mounted in an expensive die-casting. In its center is a
large, square, clear vision speedometer which includes
headlamp beam indication to three positions. Flanked
on both sides are two groups of instruments. These
include engine water temperature indicator, fuel supplyindicator,
oil pressure gauge, and battery charging rate
indicator.
Beautifully Curved Safety Instrument Panel
A new style of numerals is used on all instruments.
Numerals are white and are applied on the cover glasses.
White indicator marks are on dark metallic brown dials.
Another innovation is the unique method of lighting
these instruments at night. The opaque dials are
illuminated by supplying light on the edges of the
glass covers. Instrument faces may be seen clearly,
yet never glare. The rheostat dimming switch is,
therefore, no longer required. A three-way lighting
switch is provided underneath the panel at the center.
At night the driver throws this lamp switch to right
when he enters the car illuminating the ignition
lock light in addition to the instruments. After starting
the engine he turns on the headlamps and throws
the instrument lamp switch to the left. This turns
off the lock light only. When the drive is completed
he need only push the headlamp switch off to turn
out all lamps. If desired, the car may be driven without
instrument illumination by placing the lamp
switch in its center position.
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