| H-platform | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | General Motors Corporation |
| Also called | H-body |
| Assembly | United States: Lordstown, Ohio (Lordstown Assembly) South Gate, California (South Gate Assembly) Canada: Quebec, Canada (Sainte-Thérèse Assembly) Mexico: Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Subcompact |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Body style(s) | 2-door notchback coupe 2-door fastback coupe 3-door hatchback 3- door wagon 3- door panel delivery |
| Vehicles | |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine(s) | 140 CID 2.3 Liter OHC 1bbl I4 140 CID 2.3 Liter OHC 2bbl I4 122 CID 2.0 Liter DOHC EFI I4 151 cu in (2.5 L) OHV I4 196 cu in (3.2 L) OHV V6 231 cu in (3.8 L) OHV V6 262 cu in (4.3 L) OHV V8 305 cu in (5.0 L) OHV V8 350 cu in (5.7 L) OHV V8 |
| Transmission(s) | 3-speed manual 4-speed manual 5-speed manual w/overdrive Torque-Drive clutchless manual Powerglide 2 spd. automatic Turbo-Hydramatic 3 spd.automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 97.0 in (2,464 mm) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | General Motors J platform |
The General Motors H platform (or H-body) is an automobile platform used by subcompact cars from the 1971 to 1980 model years. The first subcompact car design developed by GM, the rear-wheel drive H platform initially underpinned the Chevrolet Vega and its Pontiac Astre counterpart. For 1975, the H platform was expanded from entry-level vehicles to sport compacts, adding the Chevrolet Monza, Buick Skyhawk, Oldsmobile Starfire, and Pontiac Sunbird.
In contrast to the globally-developed T platform (later sold alongside it), the H-platform was sold nearly exclusively in North America.
Following the downsizing of its larger car lines (the B-body full-size, A-body intermediate, E-body personal luxury), GM moved to redesign the rest of its major model lines. Following the 1980 shift of the X-body compacts to front-wheel drive, the H platform ended production for the 1980 model year. For 1982, the H-body vehicles were replaced by the front-wheel drive J-body; while again shrinking in length, the interiors of the J-body vehicles grew in size, becoming compact-segment vehicles.
From 1986 to 1999, the H platform designation was revived for front-wheel drive full-size sedans of the Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac divisions.