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As a body designation, the rear drive B-body production began in 1959, when General Motors restyled and redesigned all of its standard-sized and luxury cars - the first time in GM's history that such had been accomplished in the same year. From the late 1940s until 1958, GM used three different designations for various bodyshells/platforms including the A-body for Chevrolets and Pontiacs, B-body for Oldsmobile 88s and the smaller Buicks, and C-body for the Oldsmobile 98 and Full Size Buicks. For the 1959 model year, the previous A and B bodies became the new B Body that lasted until 1996. The [[GM A platform|A-body]] designation would be resurrected by GM in 1964 for a new series of intermediate-sized cars including the [[Chevrolet Chevelle]], [[Pontiac Tempest]], [[Oldsmobile Cutlass]] and [[Buick Skylark]]. |
As a body designation, the rear drive B-body production began in 1959, when General Motors restyled and redesigned all of its standard-sized and luxury cars - the first time in GM's history that such had been accomplished in the same year. From the late 1940s until 1958, GM used three different designations for various bodyshells/platforms including the A-body for Chevrolets and Pontiacs, B-body for Oldsmobile 88s and the smaller Buicks, and C-body for the Oldsmobile 98 and Full Size Buicks. For the 1959 model year, the previous A and B bodies became the new B Body that lasted until 1996. The [[GM A platform|A-body]] designation would be resurrected by GM in 1964 for a new series of intermediate-sized cars including the [[Chevrolet Chevelle]], [[Pontiac Tempest]], [[Oldsmobile Cutlass]] and [[Buick Skylark]]. |
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The GM B-body had at least 5 major re-engineering and restyling efforts, in [[1961]], [[1965]], [[1971]], [[1977]], and [[1991]]; along with interim styling changes in [[1969]] and [[1980]] that included new sheetmetal and revised rooflines. The platform was downsized in length by approximately 10 inches in [[1977]] and reduced in weight by an average of 800 pounds. In [[1991]], the platform received its last major redesign, regaining several inches in length, numerous frame improvements and |
The GM B-body had at least 5 major re-engineering and restyling efforts, in [[1961]], [[1965]], [[1971]], [[1977]], and [[1991]]; along with interim styling changes in [[1969]] and [[1980]] that included new sheetmetal and revised rooflines. The platform was downsized in length by approximately 10 inches in [[1977]] and reduced in weight by an average of 800 pounds. In [[1991]], the platform received its last major redesign, regaining several inches in length, numerous frame improvements and reinforcements, while the shorter wheelbase remained unchanged. The last B-cars rolled off the line in [[1996]], leaving only [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] producing domestic large rear wheel drive sedans, with Chrysler reentering the market with their [[Chrysler LX platform|LX platform]] in 2005. |
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Known for being durable and reliable, most B-body cars used suspensions utilizing coil springs both front and rear, exceptions include the 1959-60 Oldsmobile 88 and 98, and the 1971-76 station wagons from all four GM divisions, both of which used coil springs in front and multi-leaf springs in the rear. All B-body cars since 1965 have used perimeter frames with side rails, along with the 1961-64 B-body Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles. The 1958-60 Buicks used a ladder-type frame while an X-frame without side rails was used on 1958-60 Pontiacs and 1959-60 Oldsmobiles, 1958-64 Chevrolets and 1961-64 Buicks. |
Known for being durable and reliable, most B-body cars used suspensions utilizing coil springs both front and rear, exceptions include the 1959-60 Oldsmobile 88 and 98, and the 1971-76 station wagons from all four GM divisions, both of which used coil springs in front and multi-leaf springs in the rear. All B-body cars since 1965 have used perimeter frames with side rails, along with the 1961-64 B-body Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles. The 1958-60 Buicks used a ladder-type frame while an X-frame without side rails was used on 1958-60 Pontiacs and 1959-60 Oldsmobiles, 1958-64 Chevrolets and 1961-64 Buicks. |
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| GM B platform | |
|---|---|
| 1965 Buick Wildcat | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | General Motors |
| Production | 1959–1996 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size car |
| Layout | Rear Wheel Drive Live Axle |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine(s) | V6, V8, I6 |
| Transmission(s) | Powerglide, Hydra-matic, Dynaflow, ST300, THM400, THM375, THM375B, THM350, THM350B, THM200C, THM200-4R, THM700-R4, 4L60, 4L60E, M21, M22 |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | GM H platform (FWD) |
The B platform, or B-body, was General Motors' full-size rear-wheel drive automobile platform. It was closely related to the C-body and D-body and was used for coupés, sedans, and station wagons.
As a body designation, the rear drive B-body production began in 1959, when General Motors restyled and redesigned all of its standard-sized and luxury cars - the first time in GM's history that such had been accomplished in the same year. From the late 1940s until 1958, GM used three different designations for various bodyshells/platforms including the A-body for Chevrolets and Pontiacs, B-body for Oldsmobile 88s and the smaller Buicks, and C-body for the Oldsmobile 98 and Full Size Buicks. For the 1959 model year, the previous A and B bodies became the new B Body that lasted until 1996. The A-body designation would be resurrected by GM in 1964 for a new series of intermediate-sized cars including the Chevrolet Chevelle, Pontiac Tempest, Oldsmobile Cutlass and Buick Skylark.
The GM B-body had at least 5 major re-engineering and restyling efforts, in 1961, 1965, 1971, 1977, and 1991; along with interim styling changes in 1969 and 1980 that included new sheetmetal and revised rooflines. The platform was downsized in length by approximately 10 inches in 1977 and reduced in weight by an average of 800 pounds. In 1991, the platform received its last major redesign, regaining several inches in length, numerous frame improvements and reinforcements, while the shorter wheelbase remained unchanged. The last B-cars rolled off the line in 1996, leaving only Ford producing domestic large rear wheel drive sedans, with Chrysler reentering the market with their LX platform in 2005.
Known for being durable and reliable, most B-body cars used suspensions utilizing coil springs both front and rear, exceptions include the 1959-60 Oldsmobile 88 and 98, and the 1971-76 station wagons from all four GM divisions, both of which used coil springs in front and multi-leaf springs in the rear. All B-body cars since 1965 have used perimeter frames with side rails, along with the 1961-64 B-body Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles. The 1958-60 Buicks used a ladder-type frame while an X-frame without side rails was used on 1958-60 Pontiacs and 1959-60 Oldsmobiles, 1958-64 Chevrolets and 1961-64 Buicks.
The Rear Drive B-body was the last platform design to have the gasoline tank filler port behind the license plate. Exceptions included all station wagons, as well as all 1961-64 cars - which had the tank filler in the rear fender on the driver's side and 1965 Buicks which had their fuel filler door above the license plate.
By 1986, the Buick LeSabre and Oldsmobile Delta 88 moved to the GM H platform. No rear drive successor for this platform was made after 1996, when the Buick Roadmaster and Chevrolet Caprice ceased production.
Sedans built on the rear wheel drive B platform include:
Coupe-only offerings include:
Station wagons include:
