I'm posting this here because I'm not sure where it should be posted? Could someone please give me an explanation about body style/type? I hate to admit it, but I don't know the "system." I've become very good at finding parts to fit my car, even though very few vendors specifically address the "performance" needs of a LeSabre. You'd be surprised to see how many Skylark/GS parts I use! I purchase/adapt based upon size, measurements and color, not what the part application calls for because there usually is no application for my car. So here goes: What is "A" body, "B" body, etc. What is the classification of my car? Never had to be concerned with this in the past because I would just talk with the parts people. Now, I search on the internet and it would be easier if I knew the types/styles. Thanks!
Hi Paul I wish I could be more helpful, but about the only piece of the puzzle that I can solve is "A-Body"... "A-Body" refers to the "intermidiate budies"- Skylark / Chevelle / GTO / Cutlass body style. And all "A-Body" stuff isn't compatible. A 67 Skylark is an A-body, and so is a 72 Gran Sport. Not much interchanges though. I don't know for sure about the other styles? I have some guesses.... H-Body = Monza / Starfire / Skyhawk ? F-Body - Camaro / Firebird ?? ?-Body - Nova / Ventura / Apollo ?? I don't know what the "big cars" where? (LeSabre, Wildcat) And where the Electra's even bigger yet??
NOVA (Nova, Omega, Ventura, Apollo) are 'X'-body. Camaro/Firebird are 'F'-body. Riviera?? I think your LeSabre is a 'B'-body (Impala, etc.).. could be wrong on that one.
Erik: Where did you come up with all of this information! This is great stuff, not just for me but for everyone on the board! Thanks to everyone that posted. Now my search for parts will be a little easier... Paul
Very nice job Erik. It just needs to be filed away somewhere we can retrieve it without a lot of searching.
Classic Buicks: GM body style chart 46-85 http://www.classicbuicks.com/body_style.htm i found this when someone smacked me around for referring to an Electra as a B-body. oh the horror! ou:
I have referred to my 62 Electra as a B-body also, but I didn't get smacked around for it. Guess I'm the lucky one. :grin:
Wow Erik! :TU: That post belongs in the FAQ - and would probably be one of the few threads in that forum posted as data (which is what I imagine an FAQ to be - data, not threads).
Interesting..... I see that they list the 70-72 Monte Carlo's and Grand Prix's as "G" bodies, but I have owned a couple of those cars and the assembly manual for chevrolet "A" bodies includes chevelle, malibu, elcamino, station wagon, and Monte Carlo. I always assumed that Montes and GP"S were also "A" since most of the suspension, and some of the sheetmetal are the same. Just my uneducated observation.... John
since most of the suspension, and some of the sheetmetal are the same. yeah, and this is also true between most of the B, C and E cars. it's why i was calling an electra a 'B-body', i was using a rear axle assembly from a le sabre or something.
