GM X platform (1962)
| GM X platform (RWD) | |
|---|---|
 1976 Chevrolet Nova | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | General Motors |
| Also called | X-Body |
| Production | 1962–1979 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Vehicles |
Buick Apollo Buick Skylark Chevrolet Nova Oldsmobile Omega Pontiac Ventura Pontiac Phoenix |
| Related |
GM F platform GM K platform |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase |
110 in (2,794 mm) 1962–1967 111 in (2,819 mm) 1968–1979 |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | GM X platform (FWD) |
The rear-wheel drive X-body underpinned the Chevrolet Nova and similar cars of the 1960s and 1970s. It was also the basis for the Cadillac Seville's K platform and many components were shared with the contemporary F platform. Entry level badge engineered luxury coupes and sedans offered in the 1970s by Buick, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile appeared around the same time as the competing Ford Granada and Plymouth Volare.
Applications:
- Chevrolet Chevy II (1962–1967)
- Chevrolet Nova (1968–1979)
- Buick Apollo (1973–1974; 1975 sedan only)
- Buick Skylark (1975 coupe only; 1976–1979)
- Oldsmobile Omega (1973–1979)
- Pontiac Ventura (1971–1977)
- Pontiac Phoenix (1977–1979)
- Acadian (1962–1971)
Model year 1968–1974 GM X-bodies positioned the steering linkage behind the steering gear ("rear steer"—also shared with the 1967–1969 F platform), whereas 1975–1979 models had the steering linkage forward of the steering gear ("front steer"—shared with the second generation (1970–1981) F platform including the 1973–1977 A platform and 1977–1996 B platform (control arms, steering knuckle assembly except steering linkage and front sway bar).
In the early 1970s, it was noticed that the first letter of each X-body model name (Nova, Omega, Ventura, Apollo) spelled out "NOVA", the cheapest model of the quartet.