GM X platform
Encyclopedia
There have been two X-body automobile platform
s from General Motors. All X-bodies were small entry-level models.
The rear-wheel drive X-body underpinned the Chevrolet Nova
and similar cars of the late 1960s and 1970s. It was also the basis for the Cadillac Seville's
K platform
. The wheelbase was 111 in and many components were shared with the contemporary F platform
. Entry level luxury coupes and sedans offered by Buick, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile appeared around the same time as the competing Ford Granada
.
Applications:
1968–1974 GM X-bodies positioned the steering linkage behind the steering gear ("rear steer"), whereas 1975–1979 models had the steering linkage forward of the steering gear ("front steer").
In the early 1970s, it was noticed that the first letter of each X-body model name (Nova, Omega, Ventura, Apollo) spelled out "NOVA", the cheapest model of the quartet.
The front-wheel drive
X-body was used for compact car
s from 1980 to 1985. They were among the first mainstream front-wheel drive models introduced into the North American market, and initially saw great sales success, and were an alternative to imported front-wheel drive sedans like the Toyota Camry, Nissan Stanza, Honda Accord, and the Volkswagen Quantum. However, the X-body developed a poor reputation for quality, with a large number of safety recalls and eventually an unsuccessful U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) lawsuit.
The FWD GM A-body
was derived from the X-body, but did not suffer the same reputation issues.
Vehicles using the X-body include:
The X platform was replaced by the L-body
and N-body
platforms, which were derived from the J-body
platform.
Automobile platform
An automobile platform is a shared set of common design, engineering, and production efforts, as well as major components over a number of outwardly distinct models and even types of automobiles, often from different, but related marques...
s from General Motors. All X-bodies were small entry-level models.
Rear wheel drive
Chevrolet Nova
The Chevrolet Chevy II/Nova is a compact automobile manufactured by the Chevrolet division of General Motors produced in four generations for the 1962 through 1979 model years. Nova was the top model in the Chevy II lineup through 1968. The Chevy II nameplate was dropped, Nova becoming the...
and similar cars of the late 1960s and 1970s. It was also the basis for the Cadillac Seville's
Cadillac Seville
The Cadillac Seville is a luxury-type car that was manufactured by the Cadillac division of American automaker General Motors from 1975 to 2004, as a smaller-sized top-of-the-line Cadillac...
K platform
GM K platform
The General Motors K platform was the basis of the Cadillac Seville model over two entirely different automobile platforms.* 1970s GM K platform * 1980– GM K platform...
. The wheelbase was 111 in and many components were shared with the contemporary F platform
GM F platform
The F platform, or F-body, was General Motors' small rear-wheel drive automobile platform from 1967 until 2002. It was based partially on the GM X platform, which was used for compact applications instead of the sporting intent of the F-Body. The only two vehicles to have been built using the...
. Entry level luxury coupes and sedans offered by Buick, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile appeared around the same time as the competing Ford Granada
Ford Granada (North America)
The Ford Granada was a mid-size car built and marketed by Ford Motor Company in North America from 1975–1982, along with its sister models, the Mercury Monarch, and Lincoln Versailles. The Granada was touted by Ford as a rival to the similarly sized Mercedes-Benz 280 of the time. The Granada and...
.
Applications:
- Buick ApolloBuick ApolloNot to be confused with Apollo , a sports coupe powered by Buick engines.The Buick Apollo is a compact car based on the GM X platform and manufactured from 1973 to 1975, meaning it shared its platform with the Oldsmobile Omega, Chevrolet Nova, and the Pontiac Ventura...
(1973–1974; 1975 sedan only) - Buick SkylarkBuick SkylarkThe Buick Skylark was a passenger car produced by the Buick division of General Motors. The model was made in six production runs. In each run, the car design varied dramatically due to changing technology and tastes, as well as new standards implemented over the years.-1953–1954:Introduced to mark...
(1975 coupe only; 1976–1979) - Chevrolet NovaChevrolet NovaThe Chevrolet Chevy II/Nova is a compact automobile manufactured by the Chevrolet division of General Motors produced in four generations for the 1962 through 1979 model years. Nova was the top model in the Chevy II lineup through 1968. The Chevy II nameplate was dropped, Nova becoming the...
(1968–1979) - Oldsmobile OmegaOldsmobile OmegaThe Omega was one of 2 more X-body Chevrolet Nova clones introduced in 1973 . Naturally it shared the Nova's body and many of its mechanicals, but it had its own unique nose and tail, and, being an Oldsmobile, it had a little fancier trim than the Nova...
(1973–1979) - Pontiac VenturaPontiac VenturaThe Pontiac Ventura was an automobile produced by the Pontiac Motor Division of General Motors. The word "ventura" is a derivitave of the word "bonaventure" which is Italian for "good fortune". It also shares its name with the locations of Ventura, California and Ventura, Iowa...
(1971–1977) - Pontiac PhoenixPontiac PhoenixIn 1980, the Phoenix was downsized and moved to front wheel drive, and was available as 2-door coupe or a 5-door hatchback. The base, LJ, and SJ models were still available for this generation...
(1977–1979)
1968–1974 GM X-bodies positioned the steering linkage behind the steering gear ("rear steer"), whereas 1975–1979 models had the steering linkage forward of the steering gear ("front steer").
In the early 1970s, it was noticed that the first letter of each X-body model name (Nova, Omega, Ventura, Apollo) spelled out "NOVA", the cheapest model of the quartet.
Front wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
X-body was used for compact car
Compact car
A compact car , or small family car , is a classification of cars which are larger than a supermini but smaller than or equal to a mid-size car...
s from 1980 to 1985. They were among the first mainstream front-wheel drive models introduced into the North American market, and initially saw great sales success, and were an alternative to imported front-wheel drive sedans like the Toyota Camry, Nissan Stanza, Honda Accord, and the Volkswagen Quantum. However, the X-body developed a poor reputation for quality, with a large number of safety recalls and eventually an unsuccessful U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is an agency of the Executive Branch of the U.S. government, part of the Department of Transportation...
(NHTSA) lawsuit.
The FWD GM A-body
GM A platform (FWD)
The General Motors A platform 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....
was derived from the X-body, but did not suffer the same reputation issues.
Vehicles using the X-body include:
- 1980–1985 Buick SkylarkBuick SkylarkThe Buick Skylark was a passenger car produced by the Buick division of General Motors. The model was made in six production runs. In each run, the car design varied dramatically due to changing technology and tastes, as well as new standards implemented over the years.-1953–1954:Introduced to mark...
- 1980–1985 Chevrolet CitationChevrolet CitationThe Chevrolet Citation was a compact car sold by the Chevrolet brand of American automaker General Motors for model years 1980-1985. The Citation and its X-body siblings were among GM's first front wheel drive compact cars, following the trend of front drive compacts such as the Honda Accord...
- 1980–1984 Oldsmobile OmegaOldsmobile OmegaThe Omega was one of 2 more X-body Chevrolet Nova clones introduced in 1973 . Naturally it shared the Nova's body and many of its mechanicals, but it had its own unique nose and tail, and, being an Oldsmobile, it had a little fancier trim than the Nova...
- 1980–1984 Pontiac PhoenixPontiac PhoenixIn 1980, the Phoenix was downsized and moved to front wheel drive, and was available as 2-door coupe or a 5-door hatchback. The base, LJ, and SJ models were still available for this generation...
The X platform was replaced by the L-body
GM L platform
The General Motors L platform was a front-wheel drive compact car automotive platform that was produced from 1987 through 1996....
and N-body
GM N platform
The General Motors N platform was a front-wheel drive compact automotive platform produced from 1985 to 2005. The GM N platform replaced the GM X platform....
platforms, which were derived from the J-body
GM J platform
The J platform, or J-body, was General Motors' inexpensive front-wheel drive automobile platform from the 1980s and 1990s. The platform replaced the GM H platform. The J-platform is the only platform of GM to have a model in each of its "Original 5" passenger car divisions...
platform.