The first LaSalle to be introduced was the Series 303, which debuted for the 1927 model year. The LaSalle brand was created to be a companion brand to Cadillac, sharing its quality and some components to offer a more affordably priced car. The Series 303 was named after the displacement of its engine, which was a 303 cubic inches (5.0L) V8 built specifically for LaSalle. This engine was paired to a 3 speed manual transmission which sent power to the rear wheels. A wide range of coachbuilt body styles built by Fisher and Fleetwood was offered, including tourer, coupe, sedan, and roadster. Production of the LaSalle Series 303 lasted until 1928, when it was replaced by the next evolution of the LaSalle, the Series 328.