D Body

The GM D platform (informally, D-body), was a General Motors automobile platform designation, used in two series (1936-1984 and 1985–1996) for large body-on-frame rear-wheel drive automobiles. For the majority of its existence the D-Body represented the largest Cadillac, either the Fleetwood Series 75 or the Fleetwood Limousine.

In 1985 GM downsized and redesignated its traditional large car rear wheel drive GM C platform as the new much smaller and lighter front wheel drive GM C platform. It also shifted its traditional, D platform Fleetwood limousine to the new C platform, ending production of the historic D platform. In turn, it redesignated the former RWD C platform the new D platform, and maintained production of a few RWD holdovers on it.

The original D platform was closely related to GM's other two rear-wheel drive large car platforms: the mainstream GM B and the upscale C platforms. But save for the limited production top-of-the-line 1936-1942 Buick Limited, the original GM D-platform was exclusive to Cadillac, GM's most luxurious brand. As GM's largest, the "new" D platform designated in 1985 was reserved to Cadillac through the end of its production in 1996.

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