(I presented a Special-Interest Autos magazine article dealing with B and C body variations here that's well worth reading for background on what GM was doing body-wise.)
The A Body was the entry-level one, never found on Buicks or Cadillacs. According to this Wikipedia entry, "Starting in 1936 through 1958, GM used four different designations for various bodyshells/platforms with the A-body for Chevrolet, most Pontiacs, and the Oldsmobile Series F and Series 60." That is, Chevrolets were expected to sport A bodies.
However, that was not entirely the case for the 1942 model year, when General Motors plunged heavily into fastback designs. For 1942, only B-Bodies and C-Bodies included fastbacks. So the '42 Chevrolet two-door fastback was based on the B-Body version. (I don't know whether or not GM considered that an A-Body -- but the images below show its B-Body heritage.
Also seen below ares some 1942 (and 1941!) Chevy four-door sedans based on C-Bodies. Images are either factory-sourced or are of cars listed for sale.
Compare windows and fastback curve to the B-Body Cadillac Series 61 Sedanet a few images below.
Compare to the C-Body Buick in the bottom image.
Here is the 1941 version: production was low compared to other '41 Chevy four-door sedans.
B-Body fastback two-door.
C-Body four-Door sedan.
1 comment:
thank you for this explanation and also for reminding me about the Stout article. I have always had problems figuring out some of the GM body arrangements. I never liked the early 1950s "B" bodied (particularly 4 doors) senior Buicks and "junior" Cadillacs. I love the "C" bodied (six window) senior Buicks and Caddys. Where my real confusion was with two areas: the "B" bodied two door "B" hardtops I understand the Special and Olds 88 hardtops but not the Super and Cadillac hardtops), and the differences between the 1954-56 and 1957-58 Olds 88s and 98s. Great article as always.
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