Chevrolet Citation
GM Chevrolet Chevrolet Citation & X-11 1980-85
Information:
The Chevrolet Citation was going to be called the "Condor" prior to GM's release of this vehicle it's name got changed to Citation.
The Chevrolet Citation was the first front wheel drive vehicle
coming to the market in 1979. The gas prices had changed higher than expected for average consumers.Because of the 1973 OPEC oil embargo on the United States. Realizing in the consumers need for smaller import cars. GM Started on the project X-body platform, Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles, saving gas by changing muscle bond V8 engines to smaller more comvenient 6 cylinder engines & 4 cylinder engines which became more convinient at the pump. Making the X-body cars 800 pounds lighter than previous automobiles in the U.S.
The plans for this new designs of vehicles started in April 1974.
The 1st prototype of this vehicle was brought out by GM in mid summer of 1976. Over a couple of years several prototypes were made. in 1978 the Citation was redesigned for the production line of 79'.The citation model was daybuted in April of 1979
for the 1980 year model.Giving the Citation a retail price tag of under $6,000.00.
Bringing into realization that the base production of the 2.8Liter V6 was made for the FWD vehicles and later was dropped into the well kown LB8 in the Camaros. This engine later evolved into the production of the 3.4Liter V6.
THE BIRTH OF THE X-11:
In the starting of 1979 GM was convinced that the Citation was ready to race in the SSB/SCCA class race. They had modified the
susupension, struts, etc.changing the name of the suspension to the Z19 suspension not being confused for the optional F41 suspension in regular Citations. They had decided they needed more power and the High Output 2.8L V6 engine was built. The diffrences between the H.O. Z-engine(LH7)and X-engine were in the horses from 115bhp to 140bhp, torque had changed changed from 135lb. ft. torque to 145.This hand had changed the original Chevrolet Citation to X-11.This new racing engine was droped into the 1980 X-11 and started winning the races in its class.Adding the rear spoiler and cowl induction hood the Classy Citation had given birth to the X-11 with its lowered suspension and alloy wheels. Being called the musclecar in the front wheel drive era.
By : Robert J.
