What a straight, clean example. These look like GM simply chopped a few inches off the front and back of a Monte Carlo and installed the motor in the transverse axis (I don't know if they actually did this). My old manager had one of these, and he was a Car Guy. His was set up similarly to this one, with blackwall tires and simple chrome wheels. I wonder if those were a factory or dealer option? IMHO the key to the cars "style" is that quasi-understated simple look. Clean, simple, a little odd and unique. Sort of seeing style where there isn't any, if that makes sense.
I got the car as a high school graduation gift in 1988. I got burnt on my 73 impala that I paid for myself. I really liked that citation, that's how I learned how to drive standard transmission
Dang, that's clean. Very rare. Hopes were so high for this model (and other GM brand variants) when it came out - would this be "the one", the fabled import-slayer? Then, with its yawn-inducing performance and sketch quality, it quickly proved no no Kwisatz Haderach. Still, nice to see this survivor example.
veedubber, i can't believe that there is anyone out there that appreciates these more than oldparkedcars, but your comment suggests there's some micro-subculture of enthusiasts that is sincerely enthusiastic. really? you've seen multiple cleaner citation notchbacks than this one?
Well, I know I've only posted one, but I may have photographed more. I think I ended up getting bored with them, as you seem to own the market on these. Not that any of us thought there was a market on these.
I think the blue or gold 5 doors may be one of the more common early 80s cars I see. A testament to their quality or quantity sold.
My BIL bought one of these new in 1980 or '81. His was an X11 variant with all the bells and whistles. It ran a V-6 mated to a 4-speed tranny. The exterior was an ice blue, with dark blue graphics. It sat on 14X8 rally-sryle rims with very grippy wide oval tires and had HD suspension that consisted of thick anti-sway bars, radial tuned gas-charged shocks, and heavy duty brakes. This was all capped off by a fake cowl induction hood and a ducktail spoiler in the rear. And while it may have been grossly underpowered, the car made up for this with outstanding handling. This thing handled like a rocket sled on rails! There was no body lean at all. It cornered very flat in the turns, and went wherever you pointed it. I could imagine myself building something like this. With today's technology, you could build one of these cars that outperform even an X11! This would indeed be an excellent start for such a project. Add some life to the anemic V-6 by swapping the throttle body for a TPI fuel injection system, use later model cylinder heads for better breathing, and cap it off with a low-restriction exhaust system. Next, update the suspension by adding HD parts that you can find at your local parts store. Finish it off with grippy tires, and you have a winner. All that work would be covered with that beautiful, basic body.
I believe the notchback was officially called a "Club Coupe", at least that's what my wife refers to the one she had years ago. Hers was that late 70s / early 80s GM orange.
My Dad had an '80 5 door with the Iron Duke and 4 speed stick. For some reason, ours was quite fast. Even the mechanics that drove it agreed that it seemed to have more power than most. Maybe it was wishful thinking, but I had fun driving it as a teenager. It'd chirp the tires in 2nd gear.
The early 80's FWD GM's (and especially the X-Bodies are kind of becoming cult cars. I've seen quite a few very nice ones, the cleanest being a Pontiac Phoenix SJ which is similar to the Club Coupe posted here. Personally, I am more of an A-body fan and currently have three Celebrities in my fleet!
Many of these cars were available with a 454 4-speed. I saw one once and the man told me it was stock. It also had a gleaming hepatitis stick and floor bibs.
Check out the Facebook page.... I've got an 85 X-11 with the 3800 Series II SuperCharged V6 with the 4T65E-HD trans swap...Plus a DIGITAL Dash from a Pontiac 6000 STE. There are quite a few still around. Some have been nicely modified (like mine). Several other X bodies still around too. I have an 81 X-11 black/black interior awaiting it's rebuild. And an 84 Skylark T-Type in process of getting rebuilt.
Best of OPC. 
21 comments:
ben, is there a reason you don't ever seem to post citations? i've been sitting on these pics since last august.
What a straight, clean example. These look like GM simply chopped a few inches off the front and back of a Monte Carlo and installed the motor in the transverse axis (I don't know if they actually did this). My old manager had one of these, and he was a Car Guy. His was set up similarly to this one, with blackwall tires and simple chrome wheels. I wonder if those were a factory or dealer option? IMHO the key to the cars "style" is that quasi-understated simple look. Clean, simple, a little odd and unique. Sort of seeing style where there isn't any, if that makes sense.
I had one of those !!!! It was a 1980 with a four speed standard transmission.
I got the car as a high school graduation gift in 1988. I got burnt on my 73 impala that I paid for myself. I really liked that citation, that's how I learned how to drive standard transmission
Dang, that's clean. Very rare. Hopes were so high for this model (and other GM brand variants) when it came out - would this be "the one", the fabled import-slayer? Then, with its yawn-inducing performance and sketch quality, it quickly proved no no Kwisatz Haderach. Still, nice to see this survivor example.
That Kwisatz Haderach reference is truly awesome. Very Excellent.
noooooooo
surely the cleanest in existence, surely.
There are cleaner ones out there, bbut this one is nice. Factory Vita-Vent sunroof equipped too. Very rare.
veedubber, i can't believe that there is anyone out there that appreciates these more than oldparkedcars, but your comment suggests there's some micro-subculture of enthusiasts that is sincerely enthusiastic. really? you've seen multiple cleaner citation notchbacks than this one?
Well, I know I've only posted one, but I may have photographed more. I think I ended up getting bored with them, as you seem to own the market on these. Not that any of us thought there was a market on these.
I think the blue or gold 5 doors may be one of the more common early 80s cars I see. A testament to their quality or quantity sold.
My BIL bought one of these new in 1980 or '81. His was an X11 variant with all the
bells and whistles. It ran a V-6 mated to a 4-speed tranny. The exterior was an ice
blue, with dark blue graphics. It sat on 14X8 rally-sryle rims with very grippy wide
oval tires and had HD suspension that consisted of thick anti-sway bars, radial tuned
gas-charged shocks, and heavy duty brakes. This was all capped off by a fake cowl
induction hood and a ducktail spoiler in the rear. And while it may have been grossly
underpowered, the car made up for this with outstanding handling. This thing handled
like a rocket sled on rails! There was no body lean at all. It cornered very flat in the
turns, and went wherever you pointed it. I could imagine myself building something
like this. With today's technology, you could build one of these cars that outperform
even an X11! This would indeed be an excellent start for such a project. Add some
life to the anemic V-6 by swapping the throttle body for a TPI fuel injection system,
use later model cylinder heads for better breathing, and cap it off with a low-restriction
exhaust system. Next, update the suspension by adding HD parts that you can find at
your local parts store. Finish it off with grippy tires, and you have a winner. All that
work would be covered with that beautiful, basic body.
I believe the notchback was officially called a "Club Coupe", at least that's what my wife refers to the one she had years ago. Hers was that late 70s / early 80s GM orange.
My Dad had an '80 5 door with the Iron Duke and 4 speed stick. For some reason, ours was quite fast. Even the mechanics that drove it agreed that it seemed to have more power than most. Maybe it was wishful thinking, but I had fun driving it as a teenager. It'd chirp the tires in 2nd gear.
The early 80's FWD GM's (and especially the X-Bodies are kind of becoming cult cars. I've seen quite a few very nice ones, the cleanest being a Pontiac Phoenix SJ which is similar to the Club Coupe posted here. Personally, I am more of an A-body fan and currently have three Celebrities in my fleet!
Many of these cars were available with a 454 4-speed. I saw one once and the man told me it was stock. It also had a gleaming hepatitis stick and floor bibs.
Do like. Thanks for posting!
"It also had a gleaming hepatitis stick and floor bibs"
Huh?
i have one!!!! 80' i need the part plastic for finish him
https://www.facebook.com/groups/chevycitations/
Check out the Facebook page....
I've got an 85 X-11 with the 3800 Series II SuperCharged V6 with the 4T65E-HD trans swap...Plus a DIGITAL Dash from a Pontiac 6000 STE.
There are quite a few still around. Some have been nicely modified (like mine). Several other X bodies still around too. I have an 81 X-11 black/black interior awaiting it's rebuild. And an 84 Skylark T-Type in process of getting rebuilt.
If you would have popped the hood you can see that the FACTORY COWL INDUCTION hood if fully operational.
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