In 1985 GM downsized and redesignated its traditional large car rear wheel drive GM C platform as the new much smaller and lighter front wheel drive GM C platform. It also shifted its traditional, D platform Fleetwood limousine to the new C platform, ending production of the historic D platform. In turn, it redesignated the former RWD C platform the new D platform, and maintained production of a few RWD holdovers on it.
The original D platform was closely related to GM's other two rear-wheel drive large car platforms: the mainstream GM B and the upscale C platforms. But save for the limited production top-of-the-line 1936-1942 Buick Limited, the original GM D-platform was exclusive to Cadillac, GM's most luxurious brand. As GM's largest, the "new" D platform designated in 1985 was reserved to Cadillac through the end of its production in 1996.
In 1985 GM reassigned the name of its traditional large car rear wheel drive GM C platform to its new much smaller and lighter front wheel drive GM C platform. Most of its large cars made the downsizing shift with it. However, the former C platform continued in limited use, being redesignated the "D platform" and employed by the 1985-1986 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham, its direct successor 1987-1992 Cadillac Brougham, and 1993-1996 Cadillac Fleetwood, which reverted from being front-wheel drive 1985–1992 to rear-wheel drive[1]
Compounding the confusion, the Cadillac Series 70 Fleetwood limousine, which had been built on the venerable original GM D platform (that traced its origins to 1936), was replaced in 1985 by the dramatically downsized C-platform Cadillac Series 75. This marked the end of the original D platform. Two years later the C platform Series 75 was discontinued, bringing to a close the Cadillac limousine era.
Productionedit
Early designation D-bodies (1936-1984), with the exception of the Buick Limited, which was produced in Flint, Michigan, were all produced at Detroit Assembly, Detroit, Michigan. Since all Fleetwood Broughams were being produced in Detroit prior to the name change, initially all late designation D-bodies (1985-1996) were built there as well. During the 1988 model year production of D-bodies was shifted to Arlington Assembly, Arlington, Texas where it remained until the last D-bodied car was built in 1996.
Production ended in 1996, leaving GM without a rear wheel drive luxury sedan. Later Cadillac introduced smaller cars on the Sigma platform. The spiritual successor of the D-Body Fleetwood is the Sedan de Ville d'Elegance which was later replaced by the Sedan de Ville High Luxury.
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January 01, 1970
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See also List of GM platforms This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources General Motors D platform news newspapers books scholar JSTOR January 2023 Learn how and when to remove this message The GM D platform informally D body was a General Motors automobile platform designation used in two series 1936 1984 and 1985 1996 for large body on frame rear wheel drive automobiles For the majority of its existence the D Body represented the largest Cadillac either the Fleetwood Series 75 or the Fleetwood Limousine GM D body1973 Cadillac Fleetwood limousineOverviewManufacturerGeneral MotorsModel years1936 1996AssemblyDetroit Assembly Detroit Michigan U S Arlington Assembly Arlington Texas U S Body and chassisClassFull size luxury car In 1985 GM downsized and redesignated its traditional large car rear wheel drive GM C platform as the new much smaller and lighter front wheel drive GM C platform It also shifted its traditional D platform Fleetwood limousine to the new C platform ending production of the historic D platform In turn it redesignated the former RWD C platform the new D platform and maintained production of a few RWD holdovers on it The original D platform was closely related to GM s other two rear wheel drive large car platforms the mainstream GM B and the upscale C platforms But save for the limited production top of the line 1936 1942 Buick Limited the original GM D platform was exclusive to Cadillac GM s most luxurious brand As GM s largest the new D platform designated in 1985 was reserved to Cadillac through the end of its production in 1996 Contents 1 Model History 1 1 1936 1984 original D Body 1 2 1985 1996 former RWD C Body 2 Production 3 Models 4 ReferencesModel History edit1936 1984 original D Body edit During most of the 20th century the D Body represented GM s largest and most exclusive car platform The D body was used for the Cadillac Series 85 from 1936 through 1937 for the Cadillac Series 90 from 1936 through 1940 for the Buick Limited from 1936 through 1942 for the Cadillac Series 72 in 1940 for the Cadillac Series 67 from 1941 through 1942 for the Cadillac Fleetwood Series 75 from 1936 through 1976 and for the Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine from 1977 through 1984 1985 1996 former RWD C Body edit nbsp 1995 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood In 1985 GM reassigned the name of its traditional large car rear wheel drive GM C platform to its new much smaller and lighter front wheel drive GM C platform Most of its large cars made the downsizing shift with it However the former C platform continued in limited use being redesignated the D platform and employed by the 1985 1986 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham its direct successor 1987 1992 Cadillac Brougham and 1993 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood which reverted from being front wheel drive 1985 1992 to rear wheel drive 1 Compounding the confusion the Cadillac Series 70 Fleetwood limousine which had been built on the venerable original GM D platform that traced its origins to 1936 was replaced in 1985 by the dramatically downsized C platform Cadillac Series 75 This marked the end of the original D platform Two years later the C platform Series 75 was discontinued bringing to a close the Cadillac limousine era Production editEarly designation D bodies 1936 1984 with the exception of the Buick Limited which was produced in Flint Michigan were all produced at Detroit Assembly Detroit Michigan Since all Fleetwood Broughams were being produced in Detroit prior to the name change initially all late designation D bodies 1985 1996 were built there as well During the 1988 model year production of D bodies was shifted to Arlington Assembly Arlington Texas where it remained until the last D bodied car was built in 1996 Production ended in 1996 leaving GM without a rear wheel drive luxury sedan Later Cadillac introduced smaller cars on the Sigma platform The spiritual successor of the D Body Fleetwood is the Sedan de Ville d Elegance which was later replaced by the Sedan de Ville High Luxury Models edit1936 1937 Cadillac Series 85 1936 1940 Cadillac Series 90 1936 1942 Buick Limited 1940 Cadillac Series 72 1941 1942 Cadillac Series 67 1936 1958 Cadillac Fleetwood Series 75 1959 1964 Cadillac Series 6900 Fleetwood 75 1965 1976 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Sedan amp Limousine 1977 1984 Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine amp Formal Limousine 1985 1986 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham 1987 1992 Cadillac Brougham 1993 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood 1936 1996 Cadillac Commercial Chassis 1992 1996 Buick Roadmaster 1991 1996 Chevrolet CapriceReferences edit Vehicle Identification Numbers VIN codes GM VIN Codes Wikibooks open books for an open world List of GM VIN codes Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title General Motors D platform amp oldid 1148756427, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
