General Motors A platform (FWD)

Main article: GM A platform

GM A platform
Overview
Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	1982–1996
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive/all-wheel drive (Pontiac 6000 only)
Body style(s)	2-door coupe 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon
Vehicles	Buick Century Chevrolet Celebrity Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera/Cruiser Pontiac 6000
Powertrain
Engine(s)	Gasoline: 122 I4 Iron Duke I4 60° V6 Buick V6 Diesel: Oldsmobile V6
Transmission(s)	3-speed 3T40 automatic 4-speed 4T60 automatic 4-speed 4T60-E automatic 5-speed Getrag manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	104.5 in (2,654 mm) 104.9 in (2,664 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor	GM A platform (1936)
Successor	GM W platform

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 Chevrolet Celebrity and platform-mates were introduced in the 1982 model year which were essentially similar in mechanical design and interior space with the troubled X-car compacts, but long enough to be classified as intermediate cars with more traditional styling. They were initially offered alongside, but eventually supplanted rear-drive nameplates such as the Malibu for the intermediate niche.

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. four-wheel drive and mid-engine rear-wheel drive) benefited from components and systems developed with the A-Body. Additionally the first generation U-body minivan (1990–1996) was constructed utilizing lightly modified version of the 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 platform until 1996 due to popularity of the remaining models.

Applications:

• 104.5 in wheelbase:
  • 1982–1990 Chevrolet Celebrity
  • 1982–1991 Pontiac 6000
  • 1982–1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera/Cruiser
  • 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera (final year of the Cutlass Ciera and Cutlass Cruiser, sold without the "Cutlass" name)
  • 1982–1996 Buick Century

External links

• A-body.net - 82-96 GM A-body Website & Forum
• List of GM VIN codes