Body Types?

Ken Haase · 09-12-2007, 12:59 PM

Eddie, it's been over 20 years since I worked in a GM parts dept., but if memory serves, this is the way I remember it:

B body= Full size, ie. Impalas, Olds 98's, LeSabre's, Bonnevilles, etc.

F body= Camaro's and Firebird's

X body= Nova, Apollo, Omega, Ventura

H body= Vega, Astre, Starfire, Skyhawk

A body= Starting in '64 Chevelle, Tempest, Cutlass, Skylark. In other words all GM intermediate size.

I think the first year for Celebrities etc. was 1981 and they assumed the "A" designation I believe. That was when the intermediates were changed to "G" designation. Pissed off most parts guys as I recall. So, if you have an '80 Malibu, it's an A body. But, if you have an '81, it's a G body.

Just to keep it interesting, they added the "T" bodies, Chevettes and other pieces of crap, about the same time. This is probably all outdated information now,LOL. Hope this is what you were looking for.

Father Time · 09-12-2007, 01:59 PM

Thanks Ken that pretty much answers my question. When looking in the parts book it just gives letter designations for the model the parts fit and I didn't know what I was looking for.

Tim Kish · 09-13-2007, 12:08 PM

Working with Powertrain - the engine codes I think come from a random letter/number generator!!

Jack McCarthy · 09-13-2007, 02:29 PM

the 66 impala wagon is a B body... B stands for BARGE

jack

09-12-2007, 12:59 PM	#1
Ken Haase Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 233 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Body Types? Eddie, it's been over 20 years since I worked in a GM parts dept., but if memory serves, this is the way I remember it: B body= Full size, ie. Impalas, Olds 98's, LeSabre's, Bonnevilles, etc. F body= Camaro's and Firebird's X body= Nova, Apollo, Omega, Ventura H body= Vega, Astre, Starfire, Skyhawk A body= Starting in '64 Chevelle, Tempest, Cutlass, Skylark. In other words all GM intermediate size. I think the first year for Celebrities etc. was 1981 and they assumed the "A" designation I believe. That was when the intermediates were changed to "G" designation. Pissed off most parts guys as I recall. So, if you have an '80 Malibu, it's an A body. But, if you have an '81, it's a G body. Just to keep it interesting, they added the "T" bodies, Chevettes and other pieces of crap, about the same time. This is probably all outdated information now,LOL. Hope this is what you were looking for.

09-12-2007, 01:59 PM	#2
Father Time Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Laurens,s.c Posts: 73 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Body Types? Thanks Ken that pretty much answers my question. When looking in the parts book it just gives letter designations for the model the parts fit and I didn't know what I was looking for. __________________ Eddie Wilson Father Time GOOD OL' MR. WILSON

09-13-2007, 12:08 PM	#3
Tim Kish Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 281 Likes: 2 Liked 11 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Body Types? Working with Powertrain - the engine codes I think come from a random letter/number generator!! __________________ Tim Kish 3032 SS/GS

09-13-2007, 02:29 PM	#4
Jack McCarthy VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: lyndon ky. ... louisville area Posts: 1,321 Likes: 28 Liked 470 Times in 116 Posts	Re: Body Types? the 66 impala wagon is a B body... B stands for BARGE jack __________________ Jack McCarthy 3609 STK "the Captain"

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode