The General Motors A platform (commonly called the A-body) was a mid-size car automobile platform designation used from 1982 to 1996. Previously the A body designation had been used for rear wheel drive mid-sized cars.
The A-body consisted of 4-door sedan, 2-door coupé and a 4-door station wagon It was updated in 1989 with a slightly longer wheelbase and a more rounded roofline (except for the Celebrity whose roofline remained unchanged as it was to be phased out in 1990). It also briefly saw duty as an All Wheel Drive platform for the Pontiac 6000.
Later GM platforms (specifically transaxle based, i.e. FWD and mid-engine RWD) benefited from components and systems developed with the A-Body. Additionally the first generation U-body minivan (1990–1996) was constructed utilizing lightly modified A-body chassis.
The A-body began to be phased out in favor of the GM W platform beginning in 1990, although production did not end for the until 1996 due to popularity of the remaining models.
Applications:
- 104.5 in wheelbase:
- 1982–1990 Chevrolet Celebrity
- 1982–1988 Pontiac 6000
- 1982–1988 Buick Century
- 1982–1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera/Cruiser
- 104.9 in wheelbase:
- 1989–1991 Pontiac 6000
- 1989–1996 Buick Century
- 1989–1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera/Cruiser
- 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera (final year of the Cutlass Ciera and Cutlass Cruiser, sold without the "Cutlass" name)
Famous quotes containing the word platform:
“I have rather a strange objection to talking from the back platform of a train.... It changes too often. It moves around and shifts its ground too often. I like a platform that stays put.”
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924)