1980-1985 Chevy Citation X-11
Welcome back to Forgotten Sporty Cars, where The Garage recalls some of the sporty runabouts of the past. Who here can recall the Citation? It seems old and boring today, but when Chevy introduced the car in 1980, it was a radical design and packaging departure for the General. Aimed squarely at bread and butter middle class folk, yes. But Chevy did offer something spicy in the X-11.
Chevy wanted to take the Citation SCCA racing, and the X-11 was their ticket. In 1980, the car featured front and rear stabilizer bars, a rear spoiler, full instrumentation and other sporty bits. Buyers could choose from a 2.5L four-cylinder, or a 2.8L 115hp V-6 coupled to either a 4-speed manual with overdrive or a 3-speed automatic. In 1981, the V-6 boasted 135hp, which gave the X-11 a 0-60mph time of 8.5 seconds, which was very good for 1981. Later X-11’s had lesser torque, due to emission controls.
The X-11 was available as a three-door hatchback, or as a two-door notchback pictured above. X-11 devotees (yes they exist) prefer the 2-door for its rarity. Since the design of the Citation was to be a hatchback, I disagree with this assessment. Saab also sold a two-door notchback of the old 900, and that car didn’t look right to me either.
Sadly, the X-11 and Citation were the victims of appalling build quality, lawsuits over safety concerns, and a litany of factory recalls. North American consumers were instantly drawn to the car’s design, front-wheel drive, and practicality. When the promise of the Citation failed to meet its expectations sales dropped quickly. Chevy tried to improve the car, but the Citation’s reputation was so badly tarnished they finally gave up, and replaced it with the Corsica sedan or Beretta coupe.
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Hey instead of posting about this ugly car why not have a daily update about Robby Gordon and his rise at the Dakar?
Gah… the first car I ever owned was an ‘82 Pontiac Phoenix with a manual transmission, no less. Despite a recall to better balance the front and rear brakes, a hard stop would always have the back end trying to swing around to see what was happening out front. Finally totalled it one rainy morning on the freeway in a multi-car collision. No one injured, thankfully, but I think all four corners of the car were involved in the accident.
I soooo hated these cars. Except of course for the race cars they built. They were still ugly, but pretty cool.
This explains the smelly cat tag you added Gary. I never said this series was going to be “pretty”. Stay tuned…
Oh, the days! I had an 81 x11 hatch, with the fresh air induction hood, bang shift auto, and the stupid sideways radio (Samsung made the replacement. Better, but bad). Horrible materials in the interior, and quick enough to challenge the crappy Camaros of the day, but the absolute best part was the fold down rear seat! For a kid with no apartment of his own, it sure beat mommy’s couch for date action!
I should look for another one…
Hi,well I owned 3 citations and currently own a 1984 citation X-11 notchback! I never had anything major with these cars.
I added a propotionning valve for the brakes problems and it worked! My X-11 does still kick ass! Some of those civics guys are impressed of it!
Now I’m currently restoring it and will be roaming the roads again in spring! Even today poeple have there own way of thinking an cause a car have some problems does not meen that it is shit! Like all cars!
They all need maintenance! That’s what poeple don’t do,sorry for being
Strait forword but look on the net and see poeple are starting to have more interest in them once again!
Me again, well the X-11 only came with the 2.8 H-O from 81-84. The 1980 only had the regular 2.8 and the 1985 with the new MFI 2.8 a the time.but was not considered as the real X-11! But it had better packaging!
GM had no choice to make a certain quantity out on the market to be able to race the citation X-11! This model is very special cause it did not shaired it performance componants with other GM FWD. Like the option Z-19 that was exclusif only for the X-11.
The Z-19 option contained special sway bars+special F41 suspension that was not same as the factury ’s F41 that was put on the other model’s.
The tranny to was different! The gearing + torq convertor.
As everybodie can see the Citation X-11 is very unik!
If anybodie that reads this has any question’s please leave a comment and I will be contacted!
the reason why I know these cars cause as you already know I own one and had some in the past I also restore them!
Thanks for reading this!
Hi,if ever these’s another article on these cars please let me know! . Or I can provide more info, thanks,
wow brings back memorys i had an 81 chevy citation x-11 with the 2.8 h-o v6. for its time it was pretty fast.
at least there are more people that love them then hate them. I got a 1980 X-11 and its awasome
I just got a 1980 Citation and it’s not too bad. I’m not happy with the radio being only AM but oh well! And I still can’t get the hang of putting the rear seat down! It kinda gets stuck! Anybody got any pointers? LOL!!
Hey,yea just pull harder at the lever, or once you have it down you’ll need to loosen the bolts a little and adjust it then re tighten the bolts,
Love my Citation 2 – 2.5 – 4 door. No problems, except the usual – brakes, tires, a.c. etc.
Al
I have owned a total four citations: a 84 2 door that I was converting with a 81 x-11 parts car I bought, 85 x-11 that was wrecked a few years ago, and a new 85 x-11 that is receiving my old parts from the wrecked car.
check out http://www.chevycitationforever.net/index.jsp or the yahoo group chevy citations forever…. My web site has some conversion projects listed.
http://thebaron.110mb.com/
Chevy should have taken styling pointers from it’s HO660 concept car and some of the a-body’s to reform the model. The 85 x-11 had the corrected radio position. too little, too late.