FWD X-Cars

[61BelAir]

I was in Michigan a few years back and had access to a place where GM kept a lot of their current(at the time) and old concept cars. One in particular was a Citation that had two engines, one in front and one in rear. Both were V6's with transaxles and when they started it up those little v6's sounded pretty good.

[slytheman]

Originally Posted by MelvinJ

What a great X-11! I remember looking at a new one on the dealer's lot just like it (same color), except it had the standard steel wheels that you could only get in '85 (which I thought looked great). '85 is the year to have, as far as I'm concerned. They finally gave the car better seats and replaced the goofy vertical radio with the new corporate electronically-tuned radios. Plus the MPFI engine, even though down 5 hp, seemed to be able to outperform the previous carburated engine. I read that all '85s ended up being automatics, and even though the brochure says you could get a 4-speed, I've never seen one. Have you?

The 1981 X-11 is the fastest of the X-11's it had 135 HP and 165 ft of torque and available with a 4 speed and 3 speed auto and the 1985 X-11 had 130 HP and 155 Ft of torque and only had the 3 speed auto.. I don't mind the horizontal radio.. kinda cool reminds me of the old corvettes

Yeah I have the 85 Citation II Brochure and it says that a 4 speed was available and I never seen one...

[LE2_Citation]

Originally Posted by MelvinJ

What a great X-11! I remember looking at a new one on the dealer's lot just like it (same color), except it had the standard steel wheels that you could only get in '85 (which I thought looked great). '85 is the year to have, as far as I'm concerned. They finally gave the car better seats and replaced the goofy vertical radio with the new corporate electronically-tuned radios. Plus the MPFI engine, even though down 5 hp, seemed to be able to outperform the previous carburated engine. I read that all '85s ended up being automatics, and even though the brochure says you could get a 4-speed, I've never seen one. Have you?

I'm actually quite new to the Citation seen, before I bought my 4 door last year I didn't even know what Citations where (keep in mind I'm only 20 so the X cars are older than I am and up here in Canada I guess the salt got to them) The X-11 in the picture is actually the first X-11 I've seen in person! As far as all 85's MPFI X-11 with auto trans only, I believe you are right.

I test drove a 81 a wile back that was for sale here in Ottawa, I'd I couldn't imagine owning a Citation withough the horizontal radio and revised dash! I'm hooked on 85's now

[MelvinJ]

Originally Posted by LE2_Citation

I'm actually quite new to the Citation seen, before I bought my 4 door last year I didn't even know what Citations where (keep in mind I'm only 20 so the X cars are older than I am and up here in Canada I guess the salt got to them) The X-11 in the picture is actually the first X-11 I've seen in person! As far as all 85's MPFI X-11 with auto trans only, I believe you are right.

I test drove a 81 a wile back that was for sale here in Ottawa, I'd I couldn't imagine owning a Citation withough the horizontal radio and revised dash! I'm hooked on 85's now

I was 15 when they Citations first came out, so I was very interested in them, particularly the X-11. I considered buying one on several occasions, including an XS model hatchback. I don't know if you've seen one, but this was mostly an appearance package, although this particular one had the 2.8 HO which by '84 was optional in all Citations, I believe. You're right, they are a rare sight these days, at least in Michigan, although I remember seeing a 4-door just the other day.

I visited the Willow Run assembly plant in March '85 (jeez, you weren't even born!) while the last X-cars (Citations and Skylarks) were rolling off the line. At that point, they were one of GM's most trouble-free cars, at least that's what Consumer Reports said. Of course, the early ones had so many problems that people were leary of them by then, but continuous improvement had paid off.

As for the radio, my concern was that no in the aftermarket that I saw made a vertically-oriented radio, and factory radios at that point in history weren't that great. You were lucky to see a factory FM stereo, let along a cassette player. You'd either be stuck with the factory radio, or an aftermarket radio with horizonal markings.

[slytheman]

Originally Posted by MelvinJ

I was 15 when they Citations first came out, so I was very interested in them, particularly the X-11. I considered buying one on several occasions, including an XS model hatchback. I don't know if you've seen one, but this was mostly an appearance package, although this particular one had the 2.8 HO which by '84 was optional in all Citations, I believe. You're right, they are a rare sight these days, at least in Michigan, although I remember seeing a 4-door just the other day.

I visited the Willow Run assembly plant in March '85 (jeez, you weren't even born!) while the last X-cars (Citations and Skylarks) were rolling off the line. At that point, they were one of GM's most trouble-free cars, at least that's what Consumer Reports said. Of course, the early ones had so many problems that people were leary of them by then, but continuous improvement had paid off.

As for the radio, my concern was that no in the aftermarket that I saw made a vertically-oriented radio, and factory radios at that point in history weren't that great. You were lucky to see a factory FM stereo, let along a cassette player. You'd either be stuck with the factory radio, or an aftermarket radio with horizonal markings.

Yeah the citation XS was optional in 83-84 and in 85 the name were changed to Citation II .. I have all of the citation brochures on my web site and some also of the other X's... but you have to be a registered member to access it..

[MelvinJ]

Originally Posted by slytheman

Yeah the citation XS was optional in 83-84 and in 85 the name were changed to Citation II .. I have all of the citation brochures on my web site and some also of the other X's... but you have to be a registered member to access it..

I've got all the paper brochures for the Citation, plus the '82 Phoenix and the '84 full-line Pontiac brochure (with the Phoenix in it), several of the Olds brochures with the Omega, and most of the Buick brochures with the Skylark in them. I really like the '84 Phoenix SE, and like Paul8488 said, the Omega had several interesting versions.

[citation-z]

Hi there, I live in canada and I own 2 citations. 1 is a 4door 1985. And the other is an 1984 citation X-11 notch back. I previously owned 2 other citations. 1 was an 1984 4 door. And the other was an 1982 X-11 hachback. My 84 notchback is the recent one I just bought 3 weeks ago from the original owner! It has 153 000 km ! Not much for it's age. It is curently being fully restored. One of the rarest around ! More pics is to come of it's full progress. My 85 4 door is my parts car. I wonder if GM will ever come back out with a new citation or X-11 ?? I. Built my cars from scratch. I know these cars very well and if anybodie need some info. Please ask-me it will be a pleasure to help. For my opinion the 81 X-11 is more powerful but all. 85 citations are far most reliable and interior design is better. My notchback X-11 has the 85 interior cause it was end of year model.

[Uzzy]

What is with all the Citation lovers in other parts of Ontatio? I can't remember the last time I saw a Citation and the last X-body I saw was not raod worthy. It was an Olds Omega that sat in my friend's driveway. Before that, I might have seen a Phoenix and said "WTF is that?" They were just never popular around here for some reason.

I guess we're more into K-cars here...well I am.

[Delta2.2]

this really is showing some peoples age on here....

[LE2_Citation]

Originally Posted by Uzzy

What is with all the Citation lovers in other parts of Ontatio? I can't remember the last time I saw a Citation and the last X-body I saw was not raod worthy. It was an Olds Omega that sat in my friend's driveway. Before that, I might have seen a Phoenix and said "WTF is that?" They were just never popular around here for some reason.

I guess we're more into K-cars here...well I am.

well lets see, I'm in Ottawa and have an X-11, I have a friend here that owns a 85' CL, I've seen maybe 6 different Citation here in Ottawa. Sly is getting one soon There is one 85' X-11 in Peterborough that I know of. One guy down in Welland has one, and another near Parry Sound. Guy in London has one for sale. I've seen you on ChevyCitationForever I think, do you have a Citation?

[avro206]

I had 2 81 X-11 4 speed cars.

One was black and rusty--but it had a Holley 2bbl on it and ran awesome--6500rpm np.

Other one was white--good body--always breaking down!

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by LE2_Citation

well lets see, I'm in Ottawa and have an X-11, I have a friend here that owns a 85' CL, I've seen maybe 6 different Citation here in Ottawa. Sly is getting one soon There is one 85' X-11 in Peterborough that I know of. One guy down in Welland has one, and another near Parry Sound. Guy in London has one for sale. I've seen you on ChevyCitationForever I think, do you have a Citation?

Not me. I'm only here, SaturnFans and sometimes GMFullSize. There is no other Uzzy...if there is, let me know. I must take his head...and with it, his POWER!

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Originally Posted by 61BelAir

I was in Michigan a few years back and had access to a place where GM kept a lot of their current(at the time) and old concept cars. One in particular was a Citation that had two engines, one in front and one in rear. Both were V6's with transaxles and when they started it up those little v6's sounded pretty good.

LMAO you know some engineer was just sitting there saying "you know what would be cool..."

[Oldeye03]

Link isn't working for me. Dang, and I wanted to check it out.

I owned a new 80 kback, 4 spd...2.8 V6. Lots of troubles, but it sure would haul.

[1999 White C5 Coupe]

In 1980, I purchased a new medium blue 1981 Chevrolet Citation 4 door hatchback with the 2.5 litre "Iron Duke" 4-cylinder engine. The car had lots of room and the hatch was very conveninent. This was my first front-wheel drive vehicle (I live in the snow belt).

These are some of the problems I remember when the car was new:

The transmission repeatedly failed (shifted very harsly), and the dealer installed several valve bodies in an attempt to repair it. Then the powertrain warranty was 2 years / 24,000 miles - with a $100.00 deductible.

With the a/c running, the car's engine surged badly at idle and the dash board would shudder when the a/c turned on and off.

The chrome plating on the plastic grill began to peel the first year.

With two adults in the rear seats, the rear suspension would bottom out on small dips in the road.

The rear hatch window leaked when it rained and had to be resealed.

The A.I.R. pipe which fastened to the manifold in the front of the engine compartment rusted out quickly, causing an loud exhaust leak.

The paint began to peel on the foward edge of the hood and the front of the roof.

I traded the car for a 1984 Dodge Caravan LE - an excellent vehicle. That year I also bought a new 1984 Chevrolet Celebrity Eurosport 4-door with the 2.8 litre V-6 engine. That was a very good car.

Memories.......