Editing General Motors B platform

{{see also|List of GM platforms}}
{{Infobox automobile platform
| name             = GM B Platform
| aka              = 
| manufacturer     = [[General Motors]]<br>[[Buick]]<br>[[Pontiac (automobile)|Pontiac]]<br>[[Chevrolet]]<br>[[Oldsmobile]]<br>[[Cadillac]]
| production       = 1926–1996
| assembly         = 
| predecessor      = 
| successor        = [[GM H platform (FWD)]] (full-size)<br/>[[GM G platform (1995)]] (full-size)<br/>[[GM W platform]] (full-size)<br/>[[GM V platform (1966)|GM V platform (RWD)]] (for [[Chevrolet Caprice]] sold in the Middle East)<br/> [[GM Zeta Platform]] (for Chevrolet Caprice sold in both the Middle East & North America and [[Holden VF Commodore|Chevrolet SS]] for the RWD Impala SS)
| class            = [[Full-size car]]
| layout           = [[FR layout]]
| body_style       = 
| engine           = 
| transmission     = 
| front_suspension = 
| rear_suspension  = 
| wheelbase        = 
| related          = 
| vehicles         = 
| image            =File:Oldsmobile Delta 88 convertible.jpg
| caption          = 1973 [[Oldsmobile Delta 88]] convertible
}}

The '''B platform'''  (also known as the '''B body''') is a [[full-size car|full-size]], [[rear-wheel drive]], [[body-on-frame]] [[car platform]], that was produced by [[General Motors]] (GM) from 1926 to 1996. Originally made for [[Oldsmobile]] and [[Buick]], all of General Motors's five main passenger car makes would use it at some point. It was closely related to the original rear-wheel drive [[GM C platform (RWD)|C]] and [[GM D platform|D platform]]s, and was used for [[convertible]]s, [[hardtop]]s, [[coupe]]s, [[sedan (car)|sedan]]s, and [[station wagon]]s. With approximately 12,960,000 units built, divided across four marques, the 1965–1970 B platform is the fourth best selling automobile platform in history after the [[Volkswagen Beetle]], [[Ford Model T]], and the [[Fiat 124]] (and its [[VAZ-2101 |licence-built copies]], mainly [[Zhiguli (car brand)|classic Ladas]]).<ref name="kowalke1997">{{cite book |last=Kowalke|first=Ron |title=Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946–1975 |year=1997 |publisher=Krause publications |isbn=0-87341-521-3|url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/standardcatalogo00beve}}</ref>

Originally, the B platform was used for Buick and Oldsmobile products, with the [[GM A platform (1936)|A platform]] for Chevrolet and Oakland, and the C and D platforms devoted to Cadillac.  During the [[General Motors companion make program]], [[Viking (automobile)|Vikings]] and [[Marquette (automobile)|Marquettes]] were also manufactured on this platform, as were [[La Salle (automobile)|La Salles]] from 1936 to 1940. The B platform became GM's base model platform in 1958, when all existing Chevrolet products were upgraded to the B platform. 

The B platform was used for the [[Pontiac Torpedo|Pontiac Streamliner Torpedo]] and [[Pontiac Streamliner|Streamliner]]; the [[Oldsmobile L-Series]], [[Oldsmobile Series 70|Series 70]], and [[Oldsmobile 88|Series 88]]; the [[Buick Special]] and [[Buick Century|Century]]; the [[LaSalle (automobile)|LaSalle Series 50]]; and the [[Cadillac Series 60]], [[Cadillac Series 61|Series 61]], and [[Cadillac Series 61|Series 63]]. 

For the 1959 model year, the previous A- and B-bodies were built on the new B platform<ref name="ateupwithmotor">{{cite web|url=http://ateupwithmotor.com/luxury-and-personal-luxury-cars/101-cadillac-1959.html |title=Requiem for Misterl: The 1959 Cadillac and the Winter of Harley Earl |publisher=ateupwithmotor.com |access-date=2013-01-05}}</ref><ref name="autolife">{{cite web |url=http://www.autolife.umd.umich.edu/Design/Mitchell/mitchellinterview.htm |title=AUTOMOTIVE ORAL HISTORIES: The Reminiscences of William L. Mitchell |publisher=www.autolife.umd.umich.edu |access-date=2013-01-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101021111440/http://www.autolife.umd.umich.edu/Design/Mitchell/mitchellinterview.htm |archive-date=2010-10-21 }}</ref> that lasted until 1996. During this period, the B was the most modest of GM's three full-sized platforms, slotting below the upscale C and the luxury D. The A platform 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]].

==History==
The GM B platform was introduced in 1926 with the [[Buick Master Six]], and the [[Oldsmobile Model 30]], and had at least 12 major re-engineering and restyling efforts, for the 1937, 1939, 1941, 1949, 1954, 1957, 1959, 1961, 1965, 1971, 1977, and 1991 model years; along with interim styling changes for 1942, 1969, and 1980 that included new sheetmetal and revised rooflines. The platform was downsized in length by approximately 10&nbsp;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 and featuring 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 until the [[Ford Panther platform|line]] was phased out in late 2011, with Chrysler reentering the market with their [[Chrysler LX platform|LX platform]] in 2005.
[[File:Buick Roadmaster Wagon.jpg|left|thumb|250px|1996 [[Buick Estate|Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon]]]]
Known for being durable and reliable, most B-platform cars used suspensions utilizing coil springs in the front and leaf springs in the rear until 1958, when they switched to coils in the rear; one exception is the 1959–60 Oldsmobile 88, which used coil springs in front and multi-leaf springs in the rear. All B-platform cars since 1965 used perimeter frames with side rails, along with the 1961–64 B-platform Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles. The 1958–60 Buicks and 1959–60 Oldsmobiles used a ladder-type frame, while an X-frame without side rails was used on 1959–60 Pontiacs, 1959–64 Chevrolets, and 1961–64 Buicks.

The B platform was the last platform design to have the [[gasoline]] tank filler port behind the [[license plate]] after 1958. 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). Also, the B-platform vehicles from Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Buick from 1941 to 1948 had the fuel filler door in the rear fender on the driver's side.



By 1986, the [[Buick LeSabre]] and [[Oldsmobile 88|Oldsmobile Delta 88]] moved to the [[GM H platform (FWD)|GM H platform]]. And in 1991, Chairman [[Robert Stempel]] said:<ref name=Bonsall />{{cquote|There are some corporate things we're going to drive; we are a front-drive corporation.}} He also stated that the rear-wheel-drive 1992 [[Buick Roadmaster]] and [[Chevrolet Caprice]] had been produced "over my dead body."<ref name=Bonsall>{{cite book|last=Bonsall|first=Thomas|title=The Cadillac Story: The Postwar Years|year=2004|publisher=Stanford UP|isbn=978-0804749428|page=167|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kCglolj3W_oC}}</ref> No direct successor for this platform was made after 1996, when the Roadmaster and Caprice ceased production. However, the Caprice would be revived and built on the [[Opel]]-developed [[GM V platform (1966)|V platform]] for the Middle East but built by [[Holden]], while years later, the Caprice for police use along with the Impala SS successor, the [[Holden VF Commodore|Chevrolet SS]], would return to the United States, built on the [[General Motors Zeta platform|GM Zeta platform]] developed by Holden in Australia.

==Use==
===Sedans===
{{div col}}
'''Chevrolet'''
* 1959–1972 [[Chevrolet Biscayne]]
* 1973–1975 [[Chevrolet Biscayne]] (sold only in Canada)
* 1958–1975 [[Chevrolet Bel Air]]
* 1976–1981 [[Chevrolet Bel Air]] (sold only in Canada, as a rebadged Impala)
* 1958–1985 [[Chevrolet Impala]]
* 1994–1996 [[Chevrolet Impala SS]]
* 1966–1996 [[Chevrolet Caprice]]
* 1996 [[Chevrolet Caprice#Fourth generation (1991–1996)|Chevrolet Caprice SS]] (sold only in the Middle East, as a rebadged Impala SS)
'''Pontiac'''
* 1937–1940 [[Pontiac Streamliner|Pontiac Deluxe Eight]]
* 1941      [[Pontiac Torpedo|Pontiac Streamliner Torpedo]]
* 1942–1951 [[Pontiac Streamliner]]
* 1959–1981 [[Pontiac Bonneville]]
* 1959–1981 [[Pontiac Catalina]]
* 1959–1981 [[Pontiac Parisienne]] (Canada only)
* 1983–1986 [[Pontiac Parisienne]]
* 1959–1966 [[Pontiac Star Chief]]
* 1959–1970 [[Pontiac Strato Chief]] (Canada only)
* 1960–1961 [[Pontiac Ventura]]
* 1962–1981 [[Pontiac Laurentian]] (Canada only)
* 1966–1969 [[Pontiac Parisienne|Pontiac Grande Parisienne]] (Canada only)
* 1967–1970 [[Pontiac Executive]]
* 1971–1975 [[Pontiac Grand Ville]]
'''Oldsmobile'''
* 1926–1935 [[Oldsmobile F-Series]]
* ''1929–1931 [[Viking (automobile)|Viking]]''
* 1936–1939 [[Oldsmobile L-Series]]
* 1939      [[Oldsmobile F-Series#Second Generation|Oldsmobile G-Series]]
* 1940      [[Oldsmobile Series 70]]
* 1941      [[Oldsmobile Series 70|Oldsmobile Dynamic 76]]
* 1941      [[Oldsmobile Series 70|Oldsmobile Dynamic 78]]
* 1942–1947 [[Oldsmobile Series 70|Oldsmobile Dynamic Cruiser 76]]
* 1942–1947 [[Oldsmobile Series 70|Oldsmobile Dynamic Cruiser 78]]
* 1948      [[Oldsmobile Series 70|Oldsmobile Dynamic 76]]
* 1948      [[Oldsmobile Series 70|Oldsmobile Dynamic 78]]
* 1949      [[Oldsmobile Series 70|Oldsmobile Futuramic 76]]
* 1949      [[Oldsmobile 88|Oldsmobile Futuramic 88]]
* 1950      [[Oldsmobile Series 70|Oldsmobile 76]]
* 1950–1956 [[Oldsmobile 88]]
* 1951–1964 [[Oldsmobile 88|Oldsmobile Super 88]]
* 1957      [[Oldsmobile 88|Oldsmobile Golden Rocket 88]]
* 1958–1966 [[Oldsmobile 88|Oldsmobile Dynamic 88]]
* 1964–1966 [[Oldsmobile 88|Oldsmobile Jetstar 88]]
* 1965–1985 [[Oldsmobile 88|Oldsmobile Delta 88]]
* 1967–1968 [[Oldsmobile 88|Oldsmobile Delmont 88]]
'''Buick'''
* 1926–1935 [[Buick Master Six]]
* 1926–1935 [[Buick Standard Six]]
* ''1930 [[Marquette (automobile)|Marquette]]''
* 1936–1942 [[Buick Century]]
* 1954–1958 [[Buick Century]]
* 1936–1958 [[Buick Special]]
* 1959–1962 [[Buick Invicta]]
* 1959–1985 [[Buick LeSabre]]
* 1963–1970 [[Buick Wildcat]]
* 1971–1973 [[Buick Centurion]]
* 1991–1996 [[Buick Roadmaster]]
'''Cadillac'''
* 1936–1938 [[Cadillac Series 60]]
* ''1936–1940 [[LaSalle (automobile)|LaSalle Series 50]]''
* 1939 [[Cadillac Series 61]]
* 1941–1947 [[Cadillac Series 61]]
* 1950–1951 [[Cadillac Series 61]]
* 1941–1942 [[Cadillac Series 61|Cadillac Series 63]]

{{div col end}}

===Two-door only===

* 1961–1969 [[Chevrolet Impala|Chevrolet Impala SS]]
* 1961–1966 [[Oldsmobile Starfire]]
* 1964–1965 [[Oldsmobile Jetstar I]]
* 1962–1968 [[Pontiac Grand Prix]]
* 1966 [[Pontiac 2+2]]
* 1977–1978 [[Buick Riviera]]
* 1959–1960 [[Chevrolet El Camino]] coupe utility

===Station wagons===

{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* 1941–1942 [[Buick Special|Buick Special Estate]]
* 1954–1958 [[Buick Century|Buick Century Estate]]
* 1954–1958 [[Buick Special|Buick Special Estate]]
* 1959–1963 [[Buick Invicta|Buick Invicta Estate]]
* 1959–1964 [[Buick LeSabre|Buick LeSabre Estate]]
* 1970      [[Buick Estate]]
* 1971–1976 Buick Estate (trim between LeSabre and Electra)<ref>Model 460, 4BR per 1976 sales brochure</ref>
* 1977–1979 [[Buick Estate]] (with LeSabre trim)
* 1977–1979 [[Buick Estate Limited]] (with Electra trim)
* 1980–1989 [[Buick Estate|Buick Electra Estate]]
* 1980–1989 [[Buick Estate|Buick LeSabre Estate]]
* 1990      [[Buick Estate]]
* 1991–1996 [[Buick Roadmaster|Buick Roadmaster Estate]]
* 1966–1968 [[Chevrolet Caprice Estate]]
* 1969–1970 [[Chevrolet Kingswood Estate]]
* 1971–1972 Chevrolet Kingswood Estate (Caprice trim)<ref>Model 166</ref>
* 1973–1976 Chevrolet Caprice Estate<ref>Model 1BN</ref>
* 1977–1996 [[Chevrolet Caprice Estate]]
* 1959–1961 [[Chevrolet Nomad]] (Impala trim)
* 1962–1968 [[Chevrolet Impala]]
* 1969–1970 [[Chevrolet Kingswood]]
* 1971–1972 Chevrolet Kingswood (Impala trim)<ref>Model 164</ref>
* 1973–1976 Chevrolet Impala<ref>Model 1BL</ref>
* 1977–1985 [[Chevrolet Impala]]
* 1959–1960 [[Chevrolet Kingswood]] (Bel Air trim)
* 1959–1961 [[Chevrolet Parkwood]] (Bel Air trim)
* 1962–1968 [[Chevrolet Bel Air]]
* 1969–1970 [[Chevrolet Townsman]]
* 1971–1972 Chevrolet Townsman (Bel Air trim)<ref>Model 156</ref>
* 1973–1975 Chevrolet Bel Air<ref>Model 1BK</ref>
* 1977–1979 [[Chevrolet Bel Air]] (sold only in Canada, as a rebadged Impala)
* 1959–1961 [[Chevrolet Brookwood]] (Biscayne trim)
* 1962–1968 [[Chevrolet Biscayne]]
* 1969–1970 [[Chevrolet Brookwood]]
* 1971–1972 Chevrolet Brookwood (Biscayne trim)<ref>Model 154</ref>
* 1949–1950 [[Oldsmobile 88|Oldsmobile 88 station wagon]]
* 1949–1950 [[Oldsmobile Series 70|Oldsmobile 76 station wagon]]
* 1957      [[Oldsmobile 88|Oldsmobile 88 Golden Rocket Fiesta]]
* 1957–1963 [[Oldsmobile 88|Oldsmobile Super 88 Fiesta]]
* 1958–1964 [[Oldsmobile 88|Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 Fiesta]]
* 1971–1976 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser (trim between 88 and 98)<ref>Models 3BQ and 3BR</ref>
* 1977–1992 [[Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser]]
* 1942–1951 [[Pontiac Streamliner|Pontiac Streamliner station wagon]]
* 1959–1970 [[Pontiac Bonneville Safari]]
* 1971–1976 Pontiac Grand Safari (Grand Ville trim)<ref>Model 2BR</ref>
* 1977–1978 [[Pontiac Grand Safari]]
* 1977–1981 [[Pontiac Bonneville Safari]]
* 1959–1970 [[Pontiac Parisienne Safari]] (Canada only)
* 1977–1981 [[Pontiac Parisienne Safari]] (Canada only)
* 1967–1969 [[Pontiac Parisienne|Pontiac Grande Parisienne Safari]] (Canada only)
* 1983–1986 [[Pontiac Parisienne Safari]]
* 1959–1970 [[Pontiac Catalina Safari]]
* 1971–1976 Pontiac Safari (Catalina trim)<ref>Model 2BL</ref>
* 1977–1981 [[Pontiac Catalina Safari]]
* 1959–1970 [[Pontiac Laurentian Safari]] (Canada only)
* 1977–1981 [[Pontiac Laurentian Safari]] (Canada only)
* 1987–1989 [[Pontiac Safari]]

{{div col end}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://BBodyForum.com/ BBodyForum.com] The '66-'96 GM B-Body Community
*[http://www.gmbbody.net/ GM B platform Forum] For owners & enthusiasts of 1977 to 1990 GM B-Bodies
* [http://pp.kpnet.fi/haydee/GM_VIN_codes.htm List of GM VIN codes]

{{General Motors platforms}}
{{General Motors platform timeline 1955 to present}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gm B Platform}}
[[Category:General Motors platforms|B]]