Engineering:General Motors C platform (FWD)

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GM C platform (FWD)
1st-Buick-Park-Avenue.jpg
1991-1996 Buick Park Avenue
Overview
ManufacturerGeneral Motors
Also calledC-Body
Production1985–1996
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size car
LayoutTransverse FF layout
Body style(s)Two- and four-door sedan; extended wheelbase limousine.
VehiclesBuick Electra
Buick Park Avenue
Cadillac De Ville
Cadillac Fleetwood
Cadillac Series 75
Cadillac Sixty Special
Oldsmobile 98
RelatedGM H platform (FWD)
GM K platform (FWD)
Chronology
SuccessorGM G platform

GM C platform, also known as the C-Body, was a front wheel drive (FWD) automobile platform used by General Motors' Cadillac, Buick and Oldsmobile divisions for their full-sized automobiles from 1985 through 1996, sharing unibody construction, transverse engine configuration, rack and pinion steering and four-wheel independent suspension.

C-Bodies used, V6 or V8 engines, GM's TMH440 transaxle (initially), unibody construction — and all had been aerodynamically refined, with the Oldsmobile achieving a .383 drag coefficient.

GM's C platform and H platform were largely identical, sharing the same 110.8 in wheelbase, most bodywork, interior details, glass and engines. Manufacture began with the C platform in late 1983, first at two purpose-built plants, Wentzville Assembly and Orion Assembly — later moving to Lansing Car Assembly as well as Flint and Willow Run assembly plants.

Significantly shorter, narrower, lighter and more fuel-efficient than the platform they replaced, the C Platform vehicles were noted for having nearly the same key interior dimensions as their predecessors and a much more nearly flat passenger compartment floor[1] — albeit with thinner seats and dramatically less upper tumblehome, locating windshield as well as side glass closer to passengers.[1]

Introduced in early 1984, the models were marketed as the Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight (11th gen), Buick Electra (6th gen) and Cadillac Deville (6th gen) and Fleetwood (1985-90)..

Cadillac would later introduce C Body models with a 113.8 in wheelbase. Most C-body vehicles were ultimately replaced with cars on the related G, H, and K platform designations.

The Cadillac Series 75 limousine briefly made its return on this platform, stretched by 23.6" to a wheelbase of 134.4". Cadillac used the platform though 1993; Buick heavily revised the Electra, becoming the first generation Buick Park Avenue (1991-1996), while still using the C Platform; and Oldsmobile marketed C Platform derivatives through 1990, notably the Oldsmobile Touring Sedan.

Models using the C Platform

Years Model Next platform
1985–1987 Cadillac Series 75 -
1985–1992 Cadillac Fleetwood GM D platform
1985–1993 Cadillac De Ville (6th Generation) GM K platform (FWD)
1987–1993 Cadillac Sixty Special -
1985–1990 Buick Electra (6th Generation) -
1991–1996 Buick Park Avenue GM G platform (FWD)
1985–1996 Oldsmobile 98 (11th generation)
1987–1990 Oldsmobile Touring Sedan (subsequent 98 trim levels used a succeeding platform)

Related H body models

The H platform and C platform were largely identical, sharing the same 110.8 in wheelbase, most bodywork, interior details, glass and engines.

Years Model Previous platform Next platform
1986–1999 Buick LeSabre GM B platform GM G platform
1986–1999 Oldsmobile 88/LSS GM B platform Retired
1987–1999 Pontiac Bonneville GM G platform (RWD) GM G platform (FWD)


References