GM G platform (1969)
| General Motors G Platform | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | General Motors |
| Production | 1978–1988 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Mid-size |
| Body style(s) | 4-door sedan 2-door coupe 4-door station wagon 2-door coupé utility pickup |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | GM A platform (RWD) |
| Successor |
GM A platform (FWD) GM W platform GM H platform (FWD) |
The General Motors G platform (also called G-body) was an automobile platform designation used for mid-sized rear wheel drive cars. It made its first appearance in 1969-1972, adapted from GM's A-body, and reappeared from 1982 to 1988. The second series of G-bodies began production designated as A-body cars in 1978, but were redesignated as G-body when the new front wheel drive A-body platform was introduced in 1982.
The G-body designation was originally used for 1969–1972 Pontiac Grand Prix and 1970–1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo personal luxury cars.
Between 1973 and 1981 the A-body coupes with formal rooflines were designated as A-Special and after 1982 dubbed as the G-Special. These special coupes included Monte Carlo, Grand Prix, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and Buick Regal two door models. The 1978 model year being the changeover year between the larger 73-77 body style and the reborn A/G platform. The Cutlass Supreme chassis being named an A body until GM changed the name into the official G body platform even though they were near identical, in 1981.
At some point in the platform's lifetime, the term "G-Body Shuffle" became popular in the drag racing community (where the cars were often modified for racing) for the vehicle's side-to-side motion of the rear end after taking off from the starting line. This was due to the car's triangulated four-link rear end suspension, which caused uneven torque to the rear wheels under strenuous driving.
In 1982, the Chevy Malibu/Pontiac LeMans coupes were dropped along with the Buick/Olds fastbacks. 1983 was the last year for wagons and Chevy Malibu sedans, leaving the G-Special coupes, B-O-P formal-roof sedans and the Chevy El Camino/GMC Caballero. In 1988, most remaining G-body models were moved to the new front wheel drive GM W platform, although the Pontiac Bonneville moved to the H-body, the El Camino was dropped without replacement and there would be a one-year gap before the W-body Chevy Lumina coupe truly replaced the Monte Carlo. GM later used the GM G platform (FWD) designation for unrelated full-sized cars.
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