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General Motors H platform (RWD)

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While primarily intended for the Chevrolet Vega, the H platform was not developed by the Chevrolet Division itself, but became the first vehicle architecture developed by a centralized GM design and engineering team. Replacing two subcompact cars separately in development by Chevrolet and Pontiac,
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For 1975, the introduction of the Chevrolet Monza saw the introduction of V8 engines to H platform (not offered in the Vega and Astre). In 1975, the H-platform also adopted a Buick-designed 231 cubic-inch V6. For 1978, the 140 cubic-inch inline-4 was replaced by a Pontiac-designed 151 cubic-inch
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For 1975, the Chevrolet Monza was introduced as a three-door hatchback, alongside the Buick Skyhawk, and Oldsmobile Starfire; a two-door notchback coupe was introduced during the model year. For 1976, the Pontiac Sunbird was introduced, sharing the body of the Monza notchback coupe; a Sunbird
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development of the H-body began in 1968. In slightly over two years, GM sought to develop its first subcompact with a sub-2000 pound curb weight, an all-aluminum engine, and priced at or less than the Volkswagen Beetle; assembly of the vehicle was to be primarily automated.
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For 1971, the Chevrolet Vega was introduced in four body styles, including a two-door sedan, a three-door hatchback and a three-door station wagon and panel delivery. For 1973, the front bumper was relocated forward; for 1974, both front bumpers were redesigned.
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The unibody H-platform is rear-wheel drive, using a 97-inch wheelbase. Scaling down the design of larger GM platforms, the H platform uses unequal-length A-arm front suspension; the rear suspension is a coil-spring solid rear axle.
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In addition to the Cosworth Vega engine, the H platform served in the development of several advanced GM engine designs. In 1972, a prototype Vega powered by a 302 cubic-inch aluminum-block V8 (derived from
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The Chevrolet Vega was introduced with a Chevrolet-designed 140 cubic-inch inline-4 engine; while using an aluminum engine block, the cylinder head was of cast-iron construction. The later
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was intended to be a key feature of the Chevrolet Monza hatchback and its counterparts; following its 1974 cancellation, the GMRCA was replaced by 262 and 305 cubic-inch Chevrolet V8s.
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The Pontiac Astre was introduced for 1973, styled with a different front grille from the Vega. Initially exclusive to Canada, Pontiac released the Astre in the United States for 1975.
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For 1978, the Vega and Astre were discontinued, with the station wagon body style rebadged as a Monza and Sunbird wagon; the station wagon was dropped for 1980.
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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
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From 1986 to 1999, the H platform designation was revived for front-wheel drive full-size sedans of the Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac divisions.
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from the 1971 to 1980 model years. The first subcompact car design developed by GM, the rear-wheel drive H platform initially underpinned the
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used dual overhead camshafts, 4 valves per cylinder, and electronic fuel injection; in total, 5000 engines were assembled for 1975.
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personal luxury), GM moved to redesign the rest of its major model lines. Following the 1980 shift of the
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hatchback was introduced during 1976 (the Skyhawk and Starfire were only offered as hatchbacks).
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was fitted with a 122 cubic-inch all-aluminum inline-4. An advanced design for the time, the
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counterpart. For 1975, the H platform was expanded from entry-level vehicles to
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The fourth character in the Vehicle Identification Number
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(1987). 572:97.0 in (2464 mm) 324:Powerglide 2 spd. automatic 1472: 841:Hot Rod magazine-July 1972 481:for an H-body car is "H". 61:General Motors Corporation 23: 15: 1405: 1359: 1022: 913: 904: 571: 358:General Motors J platform 40: 1456:General Motors platforms 670:Chevrolet Cosworth Vega 510:Chevrolet Cosworth Vega 103:Sainte-Thérèse Assembly 821:. Kraus Publications. 470: 109:Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila 89:South Gate, California 30:Motor vehicle platform 466: 157:2-door fastback coupe 935:Delta (D2XX/PATAC K) 749:. September 18, 2020 514:Cosworth Vega engine 18:List of GM platforms 955:Epsilon (E2XX/P2XX) 695:Oldsmobile Starfire 647:Oldsmobile Starfire 403:Oldsmobile Starfire 375:automobile platform 365:The General Motors 204:Oldsmobile Starfire 93:South Gate Assembly 556:Previous platform 522:"Iron Duke" engine 504:Powertrain details 471: 84:Lordstown Assembly 1443: 1442: 779:Popular Mechanics 656: 655: 363: 362: 316:5-speed manual w/ 1463: 1433: 1432: 1423: 1422: 1413: 1412: 888: 881: 874: 865: 842: 839: 833: 832: 814: 808: 805: 799: 796: 790: 789: 787: 785: 770: 759: 758: 756: 754: 739: 730: 729: 727: 725: 710: 544: 115:Body and chassis 45: 33: 1471: 1470: 1466: 1465: 1464: 1462: 1461: 1460: 1446: 1445: 1444: 1439: 1401: 1380: 1364: 1355: 1283: 1027: 1018: 974: 918: 909: 900: 892: 850: 845: 840: 836: 829: 816: 815: 811: 806: 802: 797: 793: 783: 781: 772: 771: 762: 752: 750: 741: 740: 733: 723: 721: 712: 711: 707: 703: 685:Pontiac Sunbird 680:Chevrolet Monza 661: 613:Pontiac Sunbird 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Index

List of GM platforms
GM H platform

Manufacturer
General Motors Corporation
Lordstown, Ohio
Lordstown Assembly
South Gate, California
South Gate Assembly
Quebec, Canada
Sainte-Thérèse Assembly
Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila
Class
Subcompact
Layout
FR layout
Body style(s)
notchback
coupe
hatchback
wagon
panel delivery
Chevrolet Vega
Pontiac Astre
Chevrolet Monza
Buick Skyhawk
Oldsmobile Starfire
Pontiac Sunbird
Engine(s)
2.3 Liter

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