Table of Contents
What is the G-Body Platform?
GM in all its wisdom slapped the moniker G-Body and A-Body at the same time on quite a few cars from 1978-1981, after this both went their separate ways.
G-body cars were the successor to RWD A-body cars introduced in 1978. The A-Body adopted the FWD architecture in 1982 while the RWD only variants were now tagged as G-Body which were made from 1982-1988.
The G-Body has been used twice in GM’s history. The “Generation 1 G-Body” cars were RWD and made between 1982 and 1988. then from 1995 onwards “Generation 2 of G-Body” was introduced but this time only in FWD underpinning cars like full-size luxury cars Oldsmobile Aurora and Buick Riviera.
The final car to come out with the G-body platform was the 2006 Buick Lucerne. Do note that “K” “H” and “C” platforms launched in the mid-90s were all derived from 2nd generation G-Body platforms in one way or another.
Why is G-Body So Famous?
Two words, Interchangeability and Affordability. Not everyone has thousands of dollars lying around for a concours condition Cutlass or GNX add to it that GM made over 10 million G-Body vehicles, it is a solid starter for a project car.
You can take things up a notch at your local drag strip or autocross with some additional modifications( explained later). G-Body cars have a body-on-frame chassis a 118-inch wheelbase and came with a Double wishbone with coilovers in the front and triangulated four links with coil over on the rear.
Most G-Body parts are interchangeable and F-Body platforms like Grand Prix triangulating frame brace, Brake parts, Steering columns, front sway bars, and radiators. For an exhaustive list check out a list El Camino forum here.
The suspension arrangement of the G-Body chassis led to an expansive engine bay that was a breeze to work with and could easily accommodate an LS swap of any kind. Most G-Body cars were V8s apart from a V6 here and there. The latter was more famous for being featured in GNX and Regal T/T-Turbo.
What are some famous G-Body Cars?
Here is the list of all the G-Body cars made from 1982 to 1988.
| Buick | Chevrolet | Oldsmobile | Pontiac | GMC |
| 1978-1983 Buick Regal Sport Coupe 3.8 L (231 in³) V6 Turbo. | 1983–1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS 5.0 L (305 Cu) HO V8 | 1985–1987 Oldsmobile 442 5.0 L (307 Cu) HO V8 | 1986.5 Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2 5.0 L (305 Cu) V8 | GMC Caballero 1982-87 |
| 1984-1986 Buick Regal T-Type 3.8 L (231 in³) V6 Turbo. | 1986–1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe 5.0 L (Cu) HO V8. | 1983–1984 Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds 5.0 L (307 Cu) HO V8 | Pontiac Grand Prix 1982-1987 | |
| 1984-1987 Buick Grand National/GNX 3.8 L (231 in³) V6 Turbo. | Chevrolet El Camino 1982-87 | Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 1982-87 | Pontiac Bonneville (1982–1986) | |
| Buick Regal T 3.8 L (231 in³) V6 Turbo. | Chevrolet Malibu 1982-83 | Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Classic 1988 | ||
| Buick Regal T-Turbo 3.8 L (231 in³) V6 Turbo. | Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1982-88 | Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser 1982-83 |
10. Chevy Monte Carlo
The Chevrolet Monte Carlo started as a 2-door coupe. It was built on the General Motors G platform with rear-wheel drive. Its production has two periods.
For the first time, its production started in 1969 and ended in 1987. This covers four generations of Monte Carlo with G-Body construction.
However, GM decided to revive the Monte Carlo nameplate once again for the 1995 model year and then production continued till 2007.
That being said, the 1969-1988 Monte Carlo is not the most popular Chevrolet G–body car out there but it does have its own fan following.
Besides that, the Monte Carlo SS also exists today which was relaunched in 1983 after previous unsuccessful runs. It came back with a 5.0L V8 engine that made 175 horsepower.
9. Buick Regal GN/GNX
The “Grand National to end all Grand Nationals” It was the fastest U.S. production car in 1987 thanks to McLaren who tweaked its Turbocharged 231 Cu V6 for a Corvette killing output of 300 hp. Sadly, only 547 were made and are extremely expensive today.
If you can’t find one check out an equally impressive 250 hp Grand National. Today they are about $35,000 to $50,000, a bit steep but considering they are future collectibles it’s worth it.
If you can’t find one consider buying Real T-Type/Turbo-T which has a higher availability due to over 6000 being made.
8. Pontiac Le Mans
Its name is inspired by the famous 24 Hours Le Mans Endurance race in France. The Pontiac Le Mans are closely related to the Chevrolet Malibu. Both models from GM were offered in three body styles: coupe, 4-door sedan, and wagon. 1978 was the start of the 5th generation before getting a green flag for discontinuation in 1982.
The 1982-83 Pontiac Grand Le Mans is considered a part of the G-Body cars. However, the Grand Le Mans model was available for only Canadian buyers who were basically buying the G-body Bonneville with the Grand Le Mans badging. A used one can set you back about $30,000 to $50,000 as per Hagerty.
7. Chevrolet El Camino
1978 marked the start of the 5th generation El Camino coupe utility truck. It was followed through 1987. From 1978 to 1981, the Chevy El Camino was running on the A-Body platform.
Although it had received many changes after its debut in 1978, Chevrolet decided to give it a design refreshment in 1982 as it adopted the G-Body.
Now it looked more athletic from the front with the crosshatch grille and quad rectangular headlights.
The Chevrolet El Camino SS was a more aggressive and powerful version that was along the regular El Camino as a separate model.
In 1982, Chevrolet sold 22,732 El Caminos out of which 3,207 were the ‘SS’ models. Currently, on average you will pay $10,616 for a 1982 El Camino coupe truck.
6. Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
The Supreme was the top-ranking luxury model in the Cutlass range of models from Oldsmobile and is among the most retromodded cars of all time. Its production run was from 1965 to 1997.
Meanwhile, just like the rest, the Cutlass Supreme went under downsizing in 1978. The new Cutlass Supreme boasted notchback styling that quickly became popular.
From 1982 to 1988, the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme enjoyed the rear-wheel drive G-body platform, and different versions like the Supreme Classic and the Cutlass Cruiser were also produced in some years.
That being said, the Cutlass Supreme came in a variety of body styles such as coupe, sedan, station wagon, and salon. The average price for a G-body Cutlass Supreme is $13,818
5. Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds
The 442 was basically an optional package on the Cutlass models. It transformed the regular Cutlass into a high-performance model.
However, the collaboration of Hurst Performance and Oldsmobile gave birth to Hurst/Olds which featured a confusing yet macho “Lightning Rod” automatic tranny.
It was to commemorate the 15th year anniversary of the first Hurst/Olds model. It had a notchback body with black with silver rocker panels, a revised 170 horsepower making 5.7 V8 engine, Dual exhausts, and many other awesome features.
The Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds from 1983 to 1984 fall under the G-body car category.
4. Chevrolet Malibu
The Chevrolet Malibu finally took over as a Chevelle successor in 1978. Back in those times, it was just a normal car but now hot rodders have transformed the G-Body Malibu into an aggressive beast.
It carried on with the A-body from 1978 to 1981 before getting on board with the G-body platform in 1982.
However, the Malibu G-Body rear-wheel drive was sold with 4-door sedan and 4-door station wagon body styles till 1983. After a long break, in 1997, the Malibu made a comeback with a front-wheel drive setup. That being said, the 1982 Malibu was also powered by a 5.0L V8 engine that made up to 145 horsepower.
3. Pontiac Grand Prix
Among other A-body models, the Grand Prix was also subjected to downsizing. In 1982, the fifth generation Grand Prix from Pontiac was built on a G-body platform with a wheelbase of 108 inches.
It continued till the end of a generation in 1987 and before the introduction of front-wheel drive W-body coupes, the Grand Prix went through several changes.
The crosshatch grille and revised taillight lenses were new in 1979. However, in 1980 brought back a vertical bar grille with taillight lenses with “GP” logos.
The design was slightly revised and made more aerodynamic in 1981 along with a new grille. In 1982, V8 engines were absent from the Pontiac Grand Prix US models, the 1983 model lost some exterior elements such as the rear trunk lock cover but the octagonal Pontiac hood ornament was back again in 1984.
The checkerboard grille design made its debut with the 1985 Grand Prix Coupe. The 1986 Grand Prix 2+2 was a new model given for homologation so that the model could race in NASCAR competition. The base, LE, and Brougham versions of the Grand Prix Coupe lived in the final year of the Grand Prix.
2. Pontiac Bonneville
The Pontiac Bonneville was a full-size car for the majority of its life. However, when it ran on the G-body platform from 1982 to 1986 within the 7th generation, it had a midsize structure. For this generation with G-body, it was called the Pontiac Bonneville Model G.
It carried the mantle of the Pontiac Le Mans midsize car whose sales were sharply dropping. Its contemporary models from sister companies include the Chevrolet Malibu, Buick Century, and Oldsmobile Cutlass.
The engine choices included 3.8L V6, 4.4L V8, 5.0L V8, and 5.7L Diesel V8. After 1987, the Bonneville was baked for a full redesign and the 1987 Bonneville came out as a front-wheel drive car with H-body.
1. GMC Caballero
It started as GMC Sprint but in 1978, the name was changed to Caballero which means gentleman, horseman, or knight. The new GMC Caballero also had a G-Body platform from 1982 to 1987.
It shared mechanical features with the Chevrolet Malibu just like the El Camino 5th gen models but it had a wheelbase of 117 inches as opposed to 108 inches given in the other G-body cars.
Meanwhile, like the Grand Prix, Caballero also received different grille designs but overall its design language did not get dramatic changes. Furthermore, from 3.8L Chevrolet V6 to 5.7L V8, a range of engine options were offered on the 1978-87 GMC Caballero.
Having said that, the Caballero had a coupe utility/pickup truck body style. The average estimated value of a GMC Caballero between 1978 and 1987 is $13,534. Lastly, the GMC Caballero coupe utility/pickup truck’s sales figures were inferior to the El Camino.
What are some problems with the G-Body platform?
None, that you wouldn’t expect. A longtime patron at the G-Body forum highlighted issues like peeling paint, rust, window squeaking, and diesel engine head gasket failure as common with cars belonging to this platform. These issues are to be expected from a car that’s over 4 decades old.
The head gasket issue is related to ill-engineered GM diesel engines made in the 80s and should be avoided at all costs.
Reddit has a dedicated community for all things G-Body. Do check it out for a detailed walkthrough and genuine ownership experiences regarding LS swaps and chassis modifications.
The most notable problem with a G-Body car is its chassis flex. This is not a problem if you plan to keep your car like a bone-stock pavement princess, which is boring, to say the least. Tuning it with an LS swap is easy but will require you to invest in a much more rigid chassis as expertly demonstrated by Schwartz Performance on Youtube.
The stock chassis is grossly inadequate due to its excessive flex and inability to put power down. Put simply: Spinning isn’t winning.
The chassis becomes a priority if you plan on going drag racing or autocross. Other popular modifications for G-Body include brake and coil over upgrade, the former is around $2000 for all fours, while the latter will set you back about $800 from Trick Chassis.
