Buick had the Regal and the Century, Oldsmobile provided the Cutlass (Supreme and Cruiser), while Pontiac started out with the Grand Prix (coupe-only like the Monte Carlo) the LeMans (only until 1981) and the Bonneville (as a sedan). It was the platform's modest, yet still usable proportions that made it such a versatile option for a wide range of buyers, as the G-body could be found in wagon, sedan, and coupe versions that fit almost any price point.Ĭhevy's G-body contributions were represented by the Monte Carlo personal luxury coupe and the Malibu, which was available in three different body styles. The G-body arrived on the scene in 1978, and its 108-inch wheelbase made it smaller than even the compact GM models that were sold alongside it until 1980. Available with both small block V8 engines as well as turbocharged V6s, the G-body has performance potential and a touch of class that help to set it apart from other Rad-era rides. Today, the G-body-particularly the coupe version-is an overlooked entry point into the classic car world, and with more than 10 million sold they have stayed affordable. Along the way, it spawned a legend, flirted with aerodynamic experimentation, and claimed the title of Detroit's last traditional body-on-frame daily driver offered outside of the full-size segment. Smaller than the land whales that had preceded it, the G-body from Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Buick, promised to balance lighter designs with respectable comfort and a dash of performance. One of the last remnants of rear-wheel drive at General Motor was the G-body, a vehicle platform that had appeared at the end of the 1970s as a reaction to the excesses of that decade. Of course, there were a few hold-outs-many performance cars retained their original drivetrain layout, and so did most luxury models-but by and large the die was cast and front-wheel drive was primed to take over the market. Over the course of the decade, almost every mainstream sedan, coupe, and wagon would trade a driven rear axle for the space-saving, inexpensive, and somewhat more efficient promise of a front-puller setup. The 1980s marked the transition from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive for the majority of the passenger car market.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |