GM F platform
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The F platform, or F-body, was General Motors' less-expensive rear wheel drive automobile platform from the 1967 until 2002. The two vehicles based on this platform were the similar Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird. The fourth character in the Vehicle Identification Number for an F-body car is "F". Another rear-wheel drive sports car, the Chevrolet Corvette, used GM's up-market Y-body.
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1st Generation
The first F-body cars were produced in 1967, as GM's response to the Ford Mustang, and this type of lightweight, sporty yet inexpensive vehicle became known as "pony cars'. The last of this generation were made in 1969, as 1969 model year cars although many were re-VINed as 1970 model year cars as the new "Hugger" body was delayed until about February 1970. This generation came in hardtop and convertible models. The standard engine for 1967 was the 230 I6, which was stroked to 250CID for 1968. The car was more popular with the optional V8 engines, the 302 homologated in the Z/28 for TransAm racing, and the 327.
2nd Generation
The "Hugger" generation. The last Camaro SS was in 1972 and the Camaro Z28 disappeared shortly thereafter. Dual exhaust was no longer available due to catalytic converter fitments required of all GM cars in 1975 which required single exhaust. The Camaro Z28 re-appeared in 1977 touting handling as the key feature.
3rd Generation
The third generation of F-body cars lasted from 1982 to 1992. Though on the exterior the difference between the Camaro and the Firebird was more pronounced than ever before, internally the two cars shared the exact same components save for a few special edition models such as the 'Starship Camaro' Berlinetta ('84-'86) with digital instrumentation.
3rd gen models of note: 1989 Turbo Trans Am, 1991-1992 Formula Firehawk.
4th Generation
The fourth generation of F-body cars started in 1993 and lasted until the platform was cancelled in 2002.
The F-body was replaced by the GM V platform Holden Monaro-based Pontiac GTO but is not considered a pony car as the Firebird and Camaro were along with its immediate competition: the Ford Mustang, original Mercury Cougar, AMC Javelin, Dodge Challenger and Plymouth Barracuda .