Olds Slant Back

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pontiacgp

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Mar 31, 2006
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What was the idea behind the slant back, was it for aerodynamics or just styling?. I have been trying it find that info on the car but I've come up empty. ..... :popcorn:
 

fleming442

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Dec 26, 2013
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From a 1989 article: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-04-02-fi-1558-story.html
In the meantime, GM must continue to muddle through with its current lineup, paying for the mistakes of the 1980s.

GM design officials now openly concede those mistakes, and recognize they have no choice but to change.

Forced to quickly downsize its fleet to meet mileage standards in the late 1970s and early 1980s, re-engineering cars to make them smaller became a much higher priority than exterior styling. In the end, GM shrank many of its longer models so badly that they lost their identity.
 

5spdCab

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Dec 29, 2019
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What was the idea behind the slant back, was it for aerodynamics or just styling?. I have been trying it find that info on the car but I've come up empty. ..... :popcorn:
I was sort of wondering the same thing. I have just finished welcoming a new member from Germany only few minutes ago. He has an Oldsmobile slantback, i have an old Ford Pinto runabout with the hatchback in the garage. The only thing I can think of is the large opening that it is easy to load/unload. They call some of those cars like that "aero", it can't be for their looks.
 
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pontiacgp

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pagrunt

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Sep 14, 2014
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that is basically opinion based. I would think that all vehicles are wind tunnel tested and I'd like to see if there were any benefits of the slant back...I know the G body sedan has a problem with the roof and rear window design causing a major vaccum at that area which lifts the back end at high speeds
Some how GM did get it right with the LeMans since Nascar banned the '81's for being "too good" on the track. Out of the notch backs, it does look like the Malibu/Leman/Grand Am coupes have the best stock rear window for aerodynamics.
 
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