What are B-body cars?
B-body cars refer to a specific vehicle platform used by American automakers, primarily General Motors, from the 1960s through the 1990s. These cars were known for their large size, powerful engines, and distinctive styling that defined the American full-size car era.
The B-body Platform Explained
The B-body platform was a unibody design that underpinned a range of full-size cars produced by GM, including the Chevrolet Impala, Caprice, Bel Air, and Biscayne; the Buick LeSabre and Electra; the Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight and Delta 88; and the Pontiac Bonneville and Catalina. These vehicles were characterized by their large, boxy exteriors and spacious interiors, making them popular choices for families, law enforcement, and fleet buyers.
Key Features of B-body Cars
B-body cars shared several common features that defined their character:
- Rear-wheel drive layout: The B-body platform was designed with a traditional rear-wheel drive configuration, providing a more powerful and responsive driving experience compared to front-wheel drive layouts.
- Large, powerful engines: B-body cars were often equipped with large-displacement V8 engines, ranging from 350 cubic inches (5.7 liters) to 454 cubic inches (7.4 liters), delivering ample power and torque.
- Spacious interiors: The B-body's large dimensions translated to roomy cabins, with ample seating for up to six passengers and generous cargo space.
- Distinctive styling: B-body cars featured bold, angular designs with prominent grilles, long hoods, and large trunks, embodying the American full-size car aesthetic of the era.
The B-body platform was a versatile and successful design that served as the foundation for many of GM's most iconic and popular full-size cars during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.
What is an C-body car?
"C-body" refers to a car platform designation used by both Chrysler (Mopar) and General Motors (GM) for their large, full-size vehicles, but the term can also refer to the "C-segment" of modern European cars. Chrysler's C-bodies were large, rear-wheel-drive cars produced from 1965 to 1978, such as the Chrysler Newport and New Yorker. GM also used the C-body designation for both rear-wheel-drive and later front-wheel-drive full-size luxury cars like the Cadillac de Ville and Buick Electra.
Chrysler (Mopar) C-Body
- Production: 1965–1978.
- Description: These were Chrysler's largest passenger car platform, known for their size and often luxurious features.
- Examples: Chrysler Newport, New Yorker, 300; Plymouth Fury, Gran Fury; Dodge Monaco, Polara.
- Platform: Rear-wheel drive with a wheelbase of 119 to 124 inches.
General Motors (GM) C-Body
- Production: Used for a range of models from the 1960s through the 1990s.
- Description: This platform was used for top-tier luxury and large sedans across GM's divisions.
- Examples: Buick Electra, Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight, Cadillac de Ville, Cadillac Eldorado.
- Platform: Initially rear-wheel drive, later models were front-wheel drive.
Other Meanings
- C-segment: This is a classification for "medium cars" in the European car market, similar to the "compact" size class in the United States.
- Service Body: In some industries, "C-Body" can refer to a type of multi-purpose service body designed for utility vehicles.
What is a body B-body?
The B platform or B-body was the name of two of Chrysler's midsize passenger car platforms – at first front-engine, rear-wheel drive, from 1962 through 1979; and the later, unrelated front-wheel drive platform, used by the Eagle Premier / Dodge Monaco, from 1988 through 1992.
What cars are B-body?
"B-body" can refer to two different car platforms: General Motors' full-size, rear-wheel-drive platform, which included models like the Chevrolet Impala and Caprice, and Chrysler's mid-size, rear-wheel-drive platform, which included performance models like the Dodge Charger and Plymouth Road Runner. Key B-body cars from GM include the Chevrolet Bel Air, Buick LeSabre, and Pontiac Catalina, while famous Chrysler B-bodies are the Dodge Coronet, Plymouth Satellite, and the Dodge Daytona.
General Motors (GM) B-body cars
GM's B-body platform was used for full-size cars and is one of the most successful in automotive history.
- Buick: LeSabre, Roadmaster
- Chevrolet: Bel Air, Biscayne, Caprice, Impala
- Oldsmobile: Delta 88, Dynamic 88, Futuramic 88
- Pontiac: Bonneville, Catalina, Grand Ville, Parisienne
Chrysler B-body cars
Chrysler's B-body platform was primarily used for performance-oriented, mid-size muscle cars.
- Dodge: Charger, Coronet, Monaco, Super Bee
- Plymouth: Belvedere, Fury, GTX, Road Runner, Satellite
- Chrysler: 300, Cordoba
What was the last B-body car?
The last B-cars rolled off the line in 1996, leaving only Ford producing domestic large rear-wheel-drive sedans until the line was phased out in late 2011, with Chrysler reentering the market with their LX platform in 2005.
