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General Motors A platform (RWD)

October 19, 2023

Main article: GM A platform

The GM A platform (commonly called A-body) was a rear wheel drive automobile platform designation used by General Motors from 1925 until 1959, and again from 1964 to 1981. In 1982, GM introduced a new front wheel drive A platform, and existing intermediate rear wheel drive products were redesignated as G-bodies.

A-body
Overview
ManufacturerGeneral Motors
Production1925–1959
1964-1981 (1988)
Chronology
Successor1959:
B-body
1982:
G-body (RWD)
A-body (FWD)
H-body (FWD)

1926-1959 Edit

 
1940 Chevrolet Special Deluxe convertible

The earliest GM A-bodied based cars shared a common chassis with the Chevrolet Superior, with Pontiac Six replacing Oakland starting in 1926. Oldsmobile also used the A-body for the 1938-48 Series 60. All Chevrolets produced during this period, to include the Chevrolet Master and the Chevrolet Deluxe, and all 1936-39 Pontiacs, the 1940 Pontiac Special, the 1941 Pontiac Deluxe Torpedo and all Pontiac Torpedoes produced from 1942 through 1948 were A-bodies.

From 1949 to 1957, only Chevrolets (150, 210, Bel Air, Del Ray) and Pontiacs (Chieftain, Star Chief, Super Chief) were built on the A-body. These cars were moved to the new B Body shared with some Buicks and Oldsmobiles in 1958, and all truck conversions were replaced by the C/K series in 1960.[1][2]

Vehicles underpinned Edit

[3][4][5][6][7]

1964–1967 Edit

 
1965 Chevelle Malibu SS396 Hardtop Coupe

The A-body platform was reintroduced as an intermediate-sized platform introduced in the 1964 model year for two redesigned and two new mid-sized cars from four of GM divisions. Notable examples include the FR layout Chevrolet Chevelle, Buick Special, Oldsmobile Cutlass and Pontiac Tempest. The A-body cars were the first intermediate-sized cars designed with a full perimeter frame and four-link coil-spring rear suspension, similar to that introduced on full-sized Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles in 1961 and on all other GM full-sized cars in 1965.

The Chevrolet A-body line included the El Camino coupe utility. Two station wagons based on the A-body used stretched wheelbases and raised rear roof sections with skylights: the 1964–1972 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser and the 1964–69 Buick Sport Wagon.

All A-body cars had a 115 in (290 cm) wheelbase except the stretched-wheelbase wagons, which were 120 in (300 cm).

Some of GM's most successful products in the muscle car era were A-body models, including the Pontiac GTO, Chevrolet Malibu SS, Oldsmobile 442 and Buick GS. From 1964 to 1969, GM Canada produced a special-market version of the Chevelle called the Beaumont, which included Pontiac-type trim and unique front grilles as well as taillight assemblies.

When the A-body cars were introduced in 1964, GM had set a corporate policy prohibiting V8 engines larger than 330 cu in (5.4 L) in these models. However, Pontiac fitted its 389 cu in (6.37 L) V8 in the Lemans to create the GTO — commonly considered the first popular muscle car. Though this violated the 330 cu in limit, Pontiac got around the rules by designating the GTO as a low-volume option package rather than a specific model. The sales success of the 1964 GTO led the corporation to increase the cubic inch limit for 1965 A-body cars to 400 cu in (6.6 L), opening the door for the other three divisions to offer similar muscle cars. The 400 cu in limit for A-body cars, as well as for other GM cars that were smaller than full-sized (with the exception of the Chevrolet Corvette), was continued through the 1969 model year.

Vehicles underpinned Edit

1968-1972 Edit

 
1969 Pontiac GTO

All GM A-bodies were completely restyled in 1968. The 400 cu in limit remained. It was removed in 1970, mainly due to Chrysler's domination in the drag racing and muscle car market with larger engines and highest power rated engines available in nearly all Chrysler "B" platform models. This led each of the four GM divisions to offer their largest engines: Chevrolet's 454 cu in (7.44 L) in the Chevelle SS-454, Pontiac's 455 cu in (7.46 L) in the GTO, Oldsmobile's 455 cu in (7.46 L) in the 442, and Buick's 455 cu in (7.46 L) in the GS.

The two-door had a 112 in (280 cm) wheelbase; four-door, station wagon, and the El Camino had a 116 in (290 cm) wheelbase; and the stretched-wheelbase wagon had a 121 in (310 cm) wheelbase. 1968 model year A-body 2-door hardtops and convertibles had a vent wing window assembly - 1969-72 models had a one piece door glass where GM's Astro Ventilation system (first used with the 1966 Buick Riviera) was phased in.

Also using a variation of the A-body chassis and suspension were the 1969-1972 Pontiac Grand Prix and 1970-1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo — both of which were marketed as intermediate-sized personal luxury cars and coded as G-body cars. The Grand Prix had a 118 in (300 cm) wheelbase and the Monte Carlo had a 116 in (290 cm) wheelbase. When the A- and G-body cars were restyled for 1973, the G-body design was renamed the A-special body.

Vehicles underpinned Edit

1973–1977 Edit

 
1977 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu Classic Landau Coupe

All GM A- and A-special body cars were completely restyled for 1973 with hardtop and convertible bodystyles eliminated due to pending Federal safety regulations. The 1973-77 cars were available in sedans, coupes and station wagons. General Motors described the pillared bodystyles with frameless doors and windows as "Colonnade" styling. Wheelbases for this generation were 112 for two-door coupes and 116 for four-door sedans and wagons.

By this time, the American performance car was considered extinct, but these "forgotten years" had some performance left.

  • 1973 Pontiac LeMans with the GTO option and the Pontiac Grand Am — Available with a 400 cid 230 hp (170 kW) V8 which was available with a 3-speed (LeMans, GTO) or 4-speed manual (LeMans, GTO, Grand Am) transmission or an automatic (LeMans, GTO, Grand Am), or a 250 hp (190 kW) 455 with an automatic transmission only. Also announced for the '73 GTO and Grand Am was the Super Duty 455 V8, which was rated at 310 hp (230 kW). Cars magazine tested an SD-455-equipped 1973 Pontiac GTO and chose it as Car Of The Year, yet that engine never made it to production in a GTO or other Pontiac A-body, but would be limited to the Firebird Formula and Trans Am.
  • 1973 Chevrolet Chevelle SS and 1974-1976 Chevelle Laguna S-3 — Offered with a 350 small block or 454 big block V8 with up to 245 hp (183 kW) and mated to manual or automatic transmissions. The SS was replaced for 1974 by the Laguna Type S-3 which offered the same engine/transmission offerings as the '73 SS plus the addition of a 400 small block V8, along with a urethane front end surrounding the grillework. The 1975-76 Laguna S-3 featured a more aerodynamic slanted front end but engines were further detuned due to emission requirements and the advent of the catalytic converter, leaving the big 454 V8 unavailable for California cars in 1975 and discontinued altogether for 1976, when the 180 hp (130 kW) small block 400 V8 was the top engine.
  • 1973-1974 Buick Century GS — Still available with the Stage 1 455 cid V8 rated at 270 net horsepower, mated to either a Turbo 400 or four-speed manual transmission, the latter transmission reportedly only installed in seven cars that year. The '74 Stage 1 455 was only available with the Turbo 400 automatic and detuned to 245 hp (183 kW). This engine was also offered on other Buicks in 1974 including the Riviera, LeSabre and Electra.
  • 1973-1975 Oldsmobile Cutlass Hurst/Olds W-30 — These were built using 455 cid V8 engines in the W-30 trim. This engine was also available as an option on the Olds 442 of those years along with other Cutlass models.
  • 1976 Buick Century Turbo — These were originally built as Indianapolis Pace Car replicas with a turbocharged and carbureted 3.8 L V6, and were faster than the 455 V8 version of that year. There were only a little over 1,200 built.
  • 1977 Pontiac Can-Am — This car was basically a LeMans Sport Coupe with a Grand Prix interior and a Trans Am "Shaker" hood, a one-off wing and a 400 cid V8 rated at 200 hp (150 kW) with federal emissions, or an Oldsmobile 403 with California emissions. Only 1,100 or so of these were made and are getting quite collectible.

Vehicles underpinned Edit

1978–1981 Edit

 
Buick Century

All GM intermediate-sized cars were downsized for the 1978 model year in response to CAFE requirements and the increased popularity of smaller cars. The redesigned models were similar in size to the previous X-bodies.

The Buick and Oldsmobile were introduced with fastback coupe styles, while the Chevrolet and Pontiac received notchbacks. Four-door fastback sedan models were also available. An interesting design compromise was non-lowering rear door windows on four-door sedans and wagons, which also reverted to full window frames while two-door models including the El Camino retained frameless glass. Performance applications included the Chevrolet Malibu F41 and M80, Pontiac LeMans GT, Oldsmobile 442 and Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds.

In 1982, with the introduction of the new front-wheel drive A-body, existing rear-wheel drive models were given the G-body designation.

Vehicles underpinned Edit

References Edit

  1. ^ "Requiem for Misterl: The 1959 Cadillac and the Winter of Harley Earl". ateupwithmotor.com. 17 July 2008. Retrieved 2013-01-05.
  2. ^ . www.autolife.umd.umich.edu. Archived from the original on 2010-10-21. Retrieved 2013-01-05.
  3. ^ "A Brief Outline of the First Century of GMC Truck History". GM Heritage Center. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  4. ^ "Directory Index: GM Trucks and Vans/1948_Trucks_and_Vans/1948_Chevrolet_Trucks_Brochure". www.oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2020-04-23.
  5. ^ . 2007-10-18. Archived from the original on 2007-10-18. Retrieved 2020-04-23.
  6. ^ Standard catalog of American light-duty trucks. Gunnell, John, 1947- (2nd ed.). Iola, WI: Krause Publications. 1993. ISBN 0-87341-238-9. OCLC 29705241.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  7. ^ "1955 Chevrolet Truck" (PDF). GM Heritage Center. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  • List of GM VIN codes

October 19, 2023
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Main article GM A platform The GM A platform commonly called A body was a rear wheel drive automobile platform designation used by General Motors from 1925 until 1959 and again from 1964 to 1981 In 1982 GM introduced a new front wheel drive A platform and existing intermediate rear wheel drive products were redesignated as G bodies A bodyOverviewManufacturerGeneral MotorsProduction1925 19591964 1981 1988 ChronologySuccessor1959 B body1982 G body RWD A body FWD H body FWD Contents 1 1926 1959 1 1 Vehicles underpinned 2 1964 1967 2 1 Vehicles underpinned 3 1968 1972 3 1 Vehicles underpinned 4 1973 1977 4 1 Vehicles underpinned 5 1978 1981 5 1 Vehicles underpinned 6 References1926 1959 Edit nbsp 1940 Chevrolet Special Deluxe convertibleThe earliest GM A bodied based cars shared a common chassis with the Chevrolet Superior with Pontiac Six replacing Oakland starting in 1926 Oldsmobile also used the A body for the 1938 48 Series 60 All Chevrolets produced during this period to include the Chevrolet Master and the Chevrolet Deluxe and all 1936 39 Pontiacs the 1940 Pontiac Special the 1941 Pontiac Deluxe Torpedo and all Pontiac Torpedoes produced from 1942 through 1948 were A bodies From 1949 to 1957 only Chevrolets 150 210 Bel Air Del Ray and Pontiacs Chieftain Star Chief Super Chief were built on the A body These cars were moved to the new B Body shared with some Buicks and Oldsmobiles in 1958 and all truck conversions were replaced by the C K series in 1960 1 2 Vehicles underpinned Edit 3 4 5 6 7 1923 1926 Chevrolet Superior 1923 1931 GM Oakland 1933 1942 Chevrolet Master 1936 1939 Oldsmobile Series F 1940 1948 Oldsmobile Series 60 1941 1952 Chevrolet Deluxe 1941 1947 Chevrolet A K Series 1941 1947 GMC A K Series 1946 1948 Chevrolet Stylemaster 1946 1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster 1947 1955 Chevrolet Advance Design 1947 1955 GMC New Design 1949 1950 Oldsmobile 88 1949 1949 Oldsmobile 76 1926 1940 Pontiac Six 1949 1957 Pontiac Chieftain 1950 1958 Pontiac Catalina 1954 1957 Pontiac Star Chief 1955 1959 Chevrolet Task Force Series 1955 1959 GMC Blue Chip Series1964 1967 Edit nbsp 1965 Chevelle Malibu SS396 Hardtop CoupeThe A body platform was reintroduced as an intermediate sized platform introduced in the 1964 model year for two redesigned and two new mid sized cars from four of GM divisions Notable examples include the FR layout Chevrolet Chevelle Buick Special Oldsmobile Cutlass and Pontiac Tempest The A body cars were the first intermediate sized cars designed with a full perimeter frame and four link coil spring rear suspension similar to that introduced on full sized Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles in 1961 and on all other GM full sized cars in 1965 The Chevrolet A body line included the El Camino coupe utility Two station wagons based on the A body used stretched wheelbases and raised rear roof sections with skylights the 1964 1972 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser and the 1964 69 Buick Sport Wagon All A body cars had a 115 in 290 cm wheelbase except the stretched wheelbase wagons which were 120 in 300 cm Some of GM s most successful products in the muscle car era were A body models including the Pontiac GTO Chevrolet Malibu SS Oldsmobile 442 and Buick GS From 1964 to 1969 GM Canada produced a special market version of the Chevelle called the Beaumont which included Pontiac type trim and unique front grilles as well as taillight assemblies When the A body cars were introduced in 1964 GM had set a corporate policy prohibiting V8 engines larger than 330 cu in 5 4 L in these models However Pontiac fitted its 389 cu in 6 37 L V8 in the Lemans to create the GTO commonly considered the first popular muscle car Though this violated the 330 cu in limit Pontiac got around the rules by designating the GTO as a low volume option package rather than a specific model The sales success of the 1964 GTO led the corporation to increase the cubic inch limit for 1965 A body cars to 400 cu in 6 6 L opening the door for the other three divisions to offer similar muscle cars The 400 cu in limit for A body cars as well as for other GM cars that were smaller than full sized with the exception of the Chevrolet Corvette was continued through the 1969 model year Vehicles underpinned Edit 1964 1969 Beaumont 1964 1967 Buick Sport Wagon 1964 1967 Buick Skylark 1964 1969 Buick Special 1964 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle 1964 1967 Chevrolet El Camino 1964 1967 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser 1964 1967 Oldsmobile 442 1964 1967 Oldsmobile Cutlass and F 85 1964 1967 Pontiac GTO 1964 1967 Pontiac Tempest 1964 1967 Pontiac LeMans 1966 1967 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme1968 1972 Edit nbsp 1969 Pontiac GTOAll GM A bodies were completely restyled in 1968 The 400 cu in limit remained It was removed in 1970 mainly due to Chrysler s domination in the drag racing and muscle car market with larger engines and highest power rated engines available in nearly all Chrysler B platform models This led each of the four GM divisions to offer their largest engines Chevrolet s 454 cu in 7 44 L in the Chevelle SS 454 Pontiac s 455 cu in 7 46 L in the GTO Oldsmobile s 455 cu in 7 46 L in the 442 and Buick s 455 cu in 7 46 L in the GS The two door had a 112 in 280 cm wheelbase four door station wagon and the El Camino had a 116 in 290 cm wheelbase and the stretched wheelbase wagon had a 121 in 310 cm wheelbase 1968 model year A body 2 door hardtops and convertibles had a vent wing window assembly 1969 72 models had a one piece door glass where GM s Astro Ventilation system first used with the 1966 Buick Riviera was phased in Also using a variation of the A body chassis and suspension were the 1969 1972 Pontiac Grand Prix and 1970 1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo both of which were marketed as intermediate sized personal luxury cars and coded as G body cars The Grand Prix had a 118 in 300 cm wheelbase and the Monte Carlo had a 116 in 290 cm wheelbase When the A and G body cars were restyled for 1973 the G body design was renamed the A special body Vehicles underpinned Edit 1968 1972 Buick Skylark 1968 1972 Buick Sport Wagon 1968 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle 1968 1972 Chevrolet El Camino 1968 1972 Oldsmobile 442 1968 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass 1968 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 1968 1972 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser 1968 1972 Pontiac GTO 1968 1970 Pontiac Tempest 1968 1972 Pontiac LeMans 1971 1972 GMC Sprint1973 1977 Edit nbsp 1977 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu Classic Landau CoupeAll GM A and A special body cars were completely restyled for 1973 with hardtop and convertible bodystyles eliminated due to pending Federal safety regulations The 1973 77 cars were available in sedans coupes and station wagons General Motors described the pillared bodystyles with frameless doors and windows as Colonnade styling Wheelbases for this generation were 112 for two door coupes and 116 for four door sedans and wagons By this time the American performance car was considered extinct but these forgotten years had some performance left 1973 Pontiac LeMans with the GTO option and the Pontiac Grand Am Available with a 400 cid 230 hp 170 kW V8 which was available with a 3 speed LeMans GTO or 4 speed manual LeMans GTO Grand Am transmission or an automatic LeMans GTO Grand Am or a 250 hp 190 kW 455 with an automatic transmission only Also announced for the 73 GTO and Grand Am was the Super Duty 455 V8 which was rated at 310 hp 230 kW Cars magazine tested an SD 455 equipped 1973 Pontiac GTO and chose it as Car Of The Year yet that engine never made it to production in a GTO or other Pontiac A body but would be limited to the Firebird Formula and Trans Am 1973 Chevrolet Chevelle SS and 1974 1976 Chevelle Laguna S 3 Offered with a 350 small block or 454 big block V8 with up to 245 hp 183 kW and mated to manual or automatic transmissions The SS was replaced for 1974 by the Laguna Type S 3 which offered the same engine transmission offerings as the 73 SS plus the addition of a 400 small block V8 along with a urethane front end surrounding the grillework The 1975 76 Laguna S 3 featured a more aerodynamic slanted front end but engines were further detuned due to emission requirements and the advent of the catalytic converter leaving the big 454 V8 unavailable for California cars in 1975 and discontinued altogether for 1976 when the 180 hp 130 kW small block 400 V8 was the top engine 1973 1974 Buick Century GS Still available with the Stage 1 455 cid V8 rated at 270 net horsepower mated to either a Turbo 400 or four speed manual transmission the latter transmission reportedly only installed in seven cars that year The 74 Stage 1 455 was only available with the Turbo 400 automatic and detuned to 245 hp 183 kW This engine was also offered on other Buicks in 1974 including the Riviera LeSabre and Electra 1973 1975 Oldsmobile Cutlass Hurst Olds W 30 These were built using 455 cid V8 engines in the W 30 trim This engine was also available as an option on the Olds 442 of those years along with other Cutlass models 1976 Buick Century Turbo These were originally built as Indianapolis Pace Car replicas with a turbocharged and carbureted 3 8 L V6 and were faster than the 455 V8 version of that year There were only a little over 1 200 built 1977 Pontiac Can Am This car was basically a LeMans Sport Coupe with a Grand Prix interior and a Trans Am Shaker hood a one off wing and a 400 cid V8 rated at 200 hp 150 kW with federal emissions or an Oldsmobile 403 with California emissions Only 1 100 or so of these were made and are getting quite collectible Vehicles underpinned Edit 1973 1977 Buick Century 1973 1977 Buick Regal 1973 1977 Chevrolet Chevelle 1973 1977 Chevrolet El Camino 1973 1977Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1973 1977 GMC Sprint 1973 1977 Oldsmobile 442 1973 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass 1973 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 1973 1977 Pontiac Grand Am 1973 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix 1973 1977 Pontiac LeMans 1977 1977 Pontiac Can Am1978 1981 Edit nbsp Buick CenturyAll GM intermediate sized cars were downsized for the 1978 model year in response to CAFE requirements and the increased popularity of smaller cars The redesigned models were similar in size to the previous X bodies The Buick and Oldsmobile were introduced with fastback coupe styles while the Chevrolet and Pontiac received notchbacks Four door fastback sedan models were also available An interesting design compromise was non lowering rear door windows on four door sedans and wagons which also reverted to full window frames while two door models including the El Camino retained frameless glass Performance applications included the Chevrolet Malibu F41 and M80 Pontiac LeMans GT Oldsmobile 442 and Oldsmobile Hurst Olds In 1982 with the introduction of the new front wheel drive A body existing rear wheel drive models were given the G body designation Vehicles underpinned Edit 1978 1980 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1978 1981 GMC Caballero 1978 1981 Buick Century 1978 1981 Buick Regal 1978 1981 Chevrolet El Camino 1978 1981 Chevrolet Malibu 1978 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 1978 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass 1978 1981 Pontiac LeMans 1978 1981 Pontiac Grand Prix 1978 1981 Pontiac Grand AmReferences Edit Requiem for Misterl The 1959 Cadillac and the Winter of Harley Earl ateupwithmotor com 17 July 2008 Retrieved 2013 01 05 AUTOMOTIVE ORAL HISTORIES The Reminiscences of William L Mitchell www autolife umd umich edu Archived from the original on 2010 10 21 Retrieved 2013 01 05 A Brief Outline of the First Century of GMC Truck History GM Heritage Center Retrieved April 23 2020 Directory Index GM Trucks and Vans 1948 Trucks and Vans 1948 Chevrolet Trucks Brochure www oldcarbrochures com Retrieved 2020 04 23 PickupTruck Com Segment Five 1947 1954 Advanced Design Pickups 2007 10 18 Archived from the original on 2007 10 18 Retrieved 2020 04 23 Standard catalog of American light duty trucks Gunnell John 1947 2nd ed Iola WI Krause Publications 1993 ISBN 0 87341 238 9 OCLC 29705241 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint others link 1955 Chevrolet Truck PDF GM Heritage Center Retrieved April 23 2020 List of GM VIN codes Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title General Motors A platform RWD amp oldid 1176432330, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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