General Motors From 1977 to 1982, in order, General Motors would physically downsize its full-size, intermediate, compact, and subcompact vehicle product lines as each platform completed its model cycle. The strategy included vehicles from every General Motors division (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac).
Full-size (B/C-platform, 1977) As a direct response to the 1973 oil crisis, the first automobiles to undergo downsizing in the interest of increased fuel efficiency were the full-size GM
B-body and
C-body platforms (used by all divisions except GMC). Used by the
Buick LeSabre/
Electra,
Chevrolet Impala/
Caprice,
Cadillacs,
Oldsmobile 88/
98, and
Pontiac Catalina/
Bonneville, the B and C-bodies were among the best-selling car platforms in North America at the time. On average, from 1976 to 1977, engineers shed an average of of body length and in curb weight (with some vehicles losing over of curb weight). For 1977 only, the full-size GM product line adopted a smaller exterior footprint than the A-platform intermediates; careful engineering led to negligible reductions of interior space over preceding full-size vehicles. In both the interest of fuel economy and weight reduction, the B/C-platform ended the use of "big-block" V8 engines outside of the Cadillac division; after 1980, a 350 cubic-inch V8 was the largest engine fitted in a B-body chassis. In 1985, General Motors underwent a further downsizing of many of its nameplates using the B-platform chassis. With the exception of station wagons, the full-size cars of Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac (along with most of the Cadillac model line) were downsized, becoming
front-wheel drive, mid-size sedans. From 1986 to 1990, the sole rear-wheel-drive sedans produced were the Chevrolet Caprice and Cadillac (Fleetwood) Brougham; the
Buick Roadmaster sedan was introduced for 1992. Following the end of the 1996 model year, General Motors ended production of the B-platform. While not intended as a direct replacement, GM sourced sedans based from the
GM Zeta platform from 2008 to 2017, produced by
Holden (GM Australia). File:1976 Buick Electra 225 (15301670211).jpg|1976
Buick Electra 225 File:'77 Buick Electra Park Avenue.jpg|1977
Buick Electra Park Avenue File:Buick-Electra-Park-Avenue.jpg|1987–1990 Buick Electra Park Avenue File:1974 Chevrolet Impala (11146054173).jpg|1974
Chevrolet Impala hardtop File:Chevy Impala Coupe (5051270876).jpg|1977–1979 Chevrolet Impala two-door
Intermediate (A-platform, 1978) Following the downsizing of General Motors full-size vehicles, for 1977, GM A-platform (intermediate/mid-size) vehicles shared a common wheelbase and larger exterior dimensions than full-size B/C-platform counterparts. To eliminate the design overlap and to expand the fuel efficiency of the entire GM model line, for 1978, the GM intermediate product lines (A-platform) underwent their own downsizing. Essentially abandoning the intermediate designation in favor of becoming mid-size vehicles, the A-body vehicles adopted a footprint slightly smaller than the X-body compacts. In a reduction similar to the full-size model lines, the A-body downsizing shed approximately of body length and 500–1,000 pounds of curb weight (depending on model configuration). In 1982, GM downsized several of its mid-size sedans, as the A-platform shifted to front-wheel drive; the remaining A-platform variants (two-door coupes and coupe utilities) were redesignated under the GM G-platform. For 1988, all GM G-body vehicles were downsized slightly and replaced by the front-wheel drive GM10 platform (later the GM W platform), which also was phased in as the replacement for Chevrolet and Pontiac variants of A-platform vehicles. File:1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme.jpg|1977
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme File:1980 Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon NL.jpg|1980
Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon File:1985-88 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera.jpg|1985–1988
Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera File:1975 GMC Sprint (18863984840).jpg|1975
GMC Sprint File:79 GMC Caballero Diablo (7998318890).jpg|1979
GMC Caballero Diablo File:1977 Pontiac Grand Prix (29163983940).jpg|1977
Pontiac Grand Prix File:1979 Pontiac Grand Prix model LJ (21395022978).jpg|1979 Pontiac Grand Prix LJ File:1986 Pontiac GP 2+2.jpg|1986 Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2
Compact (X-platform, 1980) The downsizing of the General Motors X-platform compact vehicles for 1980 also coincided with the transition of GM to front-wheel drive. Although the company had produced front-wheel drive vehicles since 1966, the 1980 X-cars were the first front-wheel drive GM vehicles outside of the luxury car segment. Replacing the Chevrolet Nova, the
Chevrolet Citation (alongside the
Buick Skylark,
Oldsmobile Omega, and Pontiac Phoenix) shed of length, of wheelbase, and of curb weight. While nearly matching the Chevrolet Vega in exterior size, the interior dimensions closely matched the previous-generation X-platform sedans. While its A-platform counterpart continued through 1996, the X-platform was discontinued in 1985, replaced by several different designs. To avoid overlap with the GM J platform, the GM L and N platforms did not undergo any significant size reductions, largely ending downsizing through the GM compact segment. File:1978 Chevy Nova Custom 4-Door Sedan.jpg|1978
Chevrolet Nova Custom File:Chevrolet-Citation-84.jpg|1984
Chevrolet Citation File:1977 Oldsmobile Omega.jpg|1977
Oldsmobile Omega File:Oldsmobile Omega sedan 1 -- 09-03-2010.jpg|1984 Oldsmobile Omega
Subcompact (H-platform to J-platform, 1982) For the subcompact segment, General Motors transitioned its model range to front-wheel drive in 1981 for the 1982 model year. Following the 1980 discontinuation of the
H-platform, GM introduced the
J-platform, with models for each division (except GMC). While longer in wheelbase than its
Chevrolet Monza predecessor, the Chevrolet Cavalier was shorter in length, with higher-efficiency powertrains. File:76 Cosworth Vega 2673.jpg|1976
Chevrolet Cosworth Vega File:1978 Chevrolet Monza hatchback.jpg|1978
Chevrolet Monza File:1986 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 coupé.jpg|1986
Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 File:Pontiac Astre (5001665838).jpg|
Pontiac Astre File:1978 Pontiac Sunbird Sport Coupe.jpg|1978
Pontiac Sunbird File:Sausalito, California - USA (8724787065).jpg|1984
Pontiac 2000 Sunbird Chrysler Nearly concurrent with the
1973 gas crisis, Chrysler introduced
larger and heavier 1974 full-size models for Plymouth, Dodge, and Chrysler. In contrast to Ford and General Motors, full-size vehicle sales of Chrysler would never recover from the gas crisis, along with other factors, the company was nearly forced into bankruptcy by the end of the 1970s. Forced to concentrate its remaining resources on development of fuel-efficient compact cars, Chrysler created a separate strategy from Ford and General Motors, adapting existing vehicle architecture for new model segments.
Full-size (R-platform, 1979) For the 1979 model year, the success found by GM and the upcoming introduction of
smaller full-size cars by Ford necessitated a response from Chrysler. Unable to commit resources to downsize its full-size
C-platform chassis (redesigned in 1974), Chrysler was relegated to introducing the
R-body vehicles, matching Ford and GM in exterior footprint. Wearing all-new exterior sheetmetal, the Chrysler R-platform vehicles were a revision of the 1962–1978
Chrysler B platform (produced for the intermediate segment). With poor sales (outside of fleet markets), Chrysler ended production of R-platform vehicles, becoming the final fullsize Chrysler vehicles until the 1992 LH-platform vehicles. To replace the R-platform, for 1982, the
Chrysler New Yorker and
Plymouth Gran Fury nameplates shifted to the
Chrysler M platform. An evolution of the compact 1976–1980
Dodge Aspen/
Plymouth Volaré, the M-platform vehicles matched the 1973–1977 GM A-platform vehicles closely in wheelbase and length. Supported primarily by fleet sales, the
Dodge Diplomat (which replaced the
Dodge St. Regis) and Plymouth Gran Fury were produced through the 1989 model year; neither model line saw a direct replacement. With the exception of the
Dodge Viper and
Plymouth Prowler, the 1989 M-platform vehicles were the last rear-wheel drive Chrysler cars produced until the 2005 introduction of the LX platform. File:1977 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham (17486729963).jpg|1977
Chrysler New Yorker Brougham (C-body) File:1979 Chrysler Newport (37119489472).jpg|1979
Chrysler Newport (R-body) File:84ChryslerFifthAvenue.jpg|1984
Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue (M-body)
Mid-size (K-platform, 1981) For the 1981 model year, Chrysler would adopt a much more radical form of downsizing, replacing the
Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volaré with the
Dodge Aries/Plymouth Reliant. Known as the
Chrysler K-cars, they were the first front-wheel drive cars developed entirely within the company. In comparison to their predecessors, the K-Cars shed over of body length, of wheelbase (at , only about longer than the subcompact Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon), and up to of curb weight (depending on model). Though far smaller than their predecessors in exterior footprint, interior dimensions changed little, with 6-passenger seating remaining intact; the Reliant and Aries were classified as mid-size vehicles by the EPA. Alongside the Dodge Aries and Plymouth Reliant, over 40 vehicles were derived from the K platform from 1981 to 1995 (not including minivans) in several size segments. Due to its large number of derivatives, Chrysler would replace the K platform in the compact, mid-size, and full-size segments (with the PL, JA, and LH platforms, respectively). File:'80 Plymouth Volare Wagon -- Front (Rassemblement Mopar Valleyfield '12).JPG|1980 Plymouth Volaré station wagon File:1982 Plymouth Reliant Custom wagon, front left (ISWC meet, July 15, 2023).jpg|1982
Plymouth Reliant File:1977 Dodge Aspen photo-5.JPG|1977
Dodge Aspen File:1989 Dodge Aries K coupe.jpg|1989
Dodge Aries coupe File:1978 Chrysler LeBaron (M-body) 4-door at 2015 Rockville show 1of3.jpg|1978
Chrysler LeBaron File:1986-1988 Chrysler LeBaron sedan.jpg|1986–1988
Chrysler LeBaron Minivan (S-platform, 1984) In the 1980s era of downsizing, Chrysler explored alternatives for large family vehicles. After its development at Ford in the 1970s into a running prototype,
Lee Iacocca revived minivans at Chrysler as an alternative for full-size and mid-size station wagons, developed alongside the K-cars. Declining sales, along with lack of development funds, led Chrysler to withdraw production of full-size station wagons after the 1978 model year; after 1982, the wagon version of the K-car was the sole station wagon sold by Chrysler. Introduced in 1984, the Plymouth Voyager and Dodge Caravan were the first minivans to reach production by an American manufacturer. While shorter than the K-cars, the Voyager and Caravan could be configured to hold up to 7 passengers; with seats removed, interior volume closely matched the cargo-carrying capability of a full-size station wagon. While the Dodge Caravan was an all-new nameplate, the introduction of minivans effectively downsized the Plymouth Voyager, previously the counterpart of the Dodge Ram Wagon. After 1988, Chrysler exited station wagon production entirely until the debut of the LX-platform
Dodge Magnum in 2005. File:Chrysler Town & Country (1977).JPG|1977
Chrysler Town & Country (C-platform) File:1984 Dodge Caravan LE (31402563930).jpg|1984
Dodge Caravan LE File:74-77 voyager front 6-17-23.png|1974–1977
Plymouth Voyager File:Plymouth-Voyager-SWB-1.jpg|1987–1988
Plymouth Voyager SE
Ford Ford Motor Company would become the first American auto manufacturer to introduce downsized model lines, largely as a response to consumer demand. Faced with returning the Lincoln model line to profitability for the 1961 model year, the
Lincoln Continental shed nearly 15 inches in length and 8 inches in wheelbase from the previous 1960 models (the largest Ford cars ever made without 5 mph bumpers). The same year, Mercury shifted to a Ford-based chassis for its full-size model range, shedding 6 inches of wheelbase.
Initial uses Downsizing (in an effort to improve efficiency) was first phased in as Ford introduced the 1974
Ford Mustang II. Designed before the 1973 fuel crisis, the Mustang II was developed as a response for consumers who felt that the Mustang had grown too large through its various 1960s updates. Shifting from
Ford Falcon underpinnings to the
Ford Pinto, the 1974 Mustang II shed nearly 14 inches of length and 13 inches of wheelbase from its 1973 counterpart. The smallest model of the Mustang ever, the 1974 Mustang II was 6 inches shorter than the 1964½ debut version. For 1977, Ford revised the placement of the
Ford Thunderbird in its product lineup. In an effort to split the model from the
Continental Mark V, the Thunderbird was made the replacement of the slow-selling
Ford Elite (becoming a counterpart of the
Ford LTD II and Mercury Cougar). Along with eliminating the duplication, the marketing revision produced a smaller and less costly Thunderbird that competed against the quartet of GM A-body personal luxury coupes and the Chrysler Cordoba for the first time. As a response to the 1977 GM downsizing of its full-size vehicles, Ford showcased the size of its full-size model line (now longer than a
Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham) to consumers skeptical of smaller exterior footprints. To more directly compete with the downsized GM offerings, the Ford Torino and Mercury Montego were updated and renamed the Ford LTD II and Mercury Cougar; while matching the GM B-body sedans in exterior footprints, the LTD II/Cougar remained intermediate-segment sedans in terms of interior dimensions.
Full-size (Panther, 1979–1980) For the 1979 model year, Ford became the final American manufacturer to introduce downsized full-size product ranges. As a response to the 1977 General Motors B-platform redesign, Ford launched the
Panther platform for Ford and Mercury (Lincoln was delayed to 1980). In contrast to 1978, the 1979 Ford LTD and Mercury Marquis lost over of length and , giving them a smaller exterior footprint than the "intermediate" Ford LTD II. However, full-size sedans were able retain nearly identical interior dimensions through the redesign. For 1980, the Lincoln Continental (renamed Town Car for 1981) became the final nameplate of American full-size sedans to undergo downsizing; from 1977 to 1979, it was the longest mass-produced car sold in North America. File:1978 Ford LTD Country Squire wagon.jpg|1978
Ford LTD Country Squire (1969 Ford) File:1990 Ford Crown Victoria.jpg|1990
Ford LTD Crown Victoria (Panther platform)
Mid-size (Fox, 1980–1981) Following the downsizing of Ford and Lincoln-Mercury full-size product lines, Ford shifted towards downsizing its mid-size product ranges, adapting them to the
Ford Fox platform (introduced in 1978, at the large end of the compact size range); the intermediate Ford LTD II was not replaced. For 1980, the
Ford Thunderbird and Mercury Cougar XR7 were redesigned, adopting an extended-wheelbase Fox platform. For 1981, the mid-size Ford Granada and Mercury Cougar (previously a counterpart of the intermediate Ford LTD II) were downsized, becoming higher-trim versions of the
Ford Fairmont/Mercury Zephyr. While less extensive of a change than with the full-size downsizing, the 1981 Ford Granada shed in length, in width and wheelbase, and approximately of curb weight over its 1980 predecessor. File:1977 Ford LTD II.jpg|1977 Ford LTD II two-door (
Ford Torino platform) File:Ford Granada (U.S.A.) 1982 Sedan.JPG|1982
Ford Granada sedan (Fox platform) File:83-86 Ford LTD wagon.jpg|1985–1986
Ford LTD Country Squire station wagon (Fox platform) File:1st Ford Taurus SHO -- 10-03-2009.jpg|1989–1991
Ford Taurus SHO (D186 platform)
Rebadging model ranges (1981–1983) For 1983, the Ford and Lincoln-Mercury mid-size and full-size product ranges underwent further downsizing efforts, through the use of badge engineering. In a decision to continue their production, Ford moved its full-size product lines upmarket under their top-trim nameplates (Ford LTD Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis). In an effort to bolster sales of its mid-size sedans, following a mid-cycle revision, Fox-platform mid-size sedans adopted the Ford LTD and Mercury Marquis nameplates. To reverse their poor reception in the marketplace, the Ford Thunderbird and
Mercury Cougar underwent a complete redesign, with the Cougar returning exclusively to a coupe bodystyle. To eliminate model duplication within the Lincoln brand, the Lincoln Continental was rebranded the Lincoln Town Car for 1981, with the Lincoln Continental shifting to the mid-size Fox platform; the Panther-based
Continental Mark VI was replaced by the Fox-based 1984
Continental Mark VII, sharing its wheelbase with the Lincoln Continental sedan. File:1976 Ford Thunderbird (14486208639).jpg|1976
Ford Thunderbird File:Ford Thunderbird (2469933366).625.jpg|1977
Ford Thunderbird (Ford Torino platform) File:1982 Ford Thunderbird Town Landau fL.jpg|1982
Ford Thunderbird Town Landau (Fox platform LWB) File:Ford Thunderbird -- 08-12-2010.jpg|1985–1986
Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe (Fox platform) File:1978 Lincoln Continental Town Car (21913289119).jpg|1978
Lincoln Continental Town Car File:1st-Lincoln-Town-Car.jpg|1981–1985
Lincoln Town Car (similar to 1980 Continental) File:Lincoln Continental (Auto classique St-Bruno-De-Montarville VAQ '13).JPG|1984–1987
Lincoln Continental Front-wheel drive transition (CE14/D186, 1984–1986) In the shift to front-wheel drive, the
Ford Escort replaced the Ford Pinto and Ford Fiesta. Although larger than the Pinto, the Escort was adapted into several other vehicles, including the 1984
Ford Tempo/Mercury Topaz, the replacement for the Fairmont and the Zephyr. For 1986, the
Ford Taurus and
Mercury Sable were introduced as the front-wheel drive replacement for the Ford LTD and Mercury Marquis. Although sharing nearly an identical wheelbase, the Taurus was shorter than the LTD. Following the introduction of the Taurus, the use of downsizing through the Ford model line largely stopped. At the end of the Panther-platform model cycle in 2011, none of the vehicles were left with a direct replacement (with the Mercury brand discontinued altogether). ==References==