One of my oldies came for a visit

It's kinda neat when the grown-up kids come home to visit....even when they want something. Most of you know my online name is 81X11...well this is why. One of my first..and favorite cars...is this little white 1981 Citation X-11. My very first car was an '83 Citation 4dr that a customer at the gas station I worked at just gave me. From owning that car, I learned about the "sporty" Citation, and a few years later found this car.

I've been around this car 20 years... Wow that makes me feel old. It was old when I bought it....at least to me then.

I drove this car for years... Went on dates with my wife..before she was my wife in it. My oldest son Eddie rode in it as a baby. Tons of memories.
I sold the car in 2005 to a 16-year-old girl. She blew the engine less than a year later and her Mom called me...and I towed it home. A year after that I put a used engine in it and swapped the 4spd for a 5spd. I then sold it to my good friend Laird, and he's had it since. I still see it from time-to-time, but had not been in it in years.

Laird called me this afternoon. Said the driver's side window was stuck down, could I help? I knew what it was right away...for those of a certain age, you do too I bet. GM used a flexible plastic tape in many of it's cars in the 80's, and over time these strip out. Bad design. In the past you could buy a roll of this tape in the Help section at the parts store, but I've not seen it in years. Happily had a spare window regulator in the parts stash.

Laird dropped off the X-car after work and took my wagon home for the night. I took the door panel off with the help of my son Eddie and had the regulator replaced in about an hour. Then I took Eddie, Lily and Tuck for a ride in the old girl. Laugh all you want, but this car still puts a smile on my face. Looking over the silly tall fiberglass cowl induction hood, shifting through the gears and hearing that little 2.8 V6 snort. Made me feel 17 again...ahahaha.

Laird is taking really good care of it. It's far from perfect, but it has to be one of the nicest ones of these left. It's snuggled up next to the GTO for the night. Will actually be hard to give it back to Laird tomorrow. On the upside I'm sure I'll get it back one day.

Oh, and haha...Misty is NOT nostalgic about this car. She came out after dinner and asked me what THAT THING was doing here. DOH!

Fun stuff. -Mike

 

You should have led her on a bit and told her something like "oh, I meant to tell you... I traded the wagon for this, it's going to be my new daily driver. Surprise!"

 

Divorce scares me....

 

Knowing that engine in a '80 Phoenix with a slushbox, I'll bet that 5-speed is a nice improvement. Can you believe I tried to pull a full-sized 5th wheel travel trailer with a GMC S-15 that had the 2.8?

 

Yes Mike it is still pretty decent looking. Although never fond of the front drive on any car it was a pretty good derivative from the standard Citation. Seeing your old car is a definite flashback to when I worked on these when they were new. I had always liked the hood that was used on the X-11. That molded hood and rear spoiler really made the car look good in my opinion. Yes, it is still kept up nicely. I sure don't see these around much anymore in any condition. Maybe you'll get it back one day.?


P.S.

Don't know if you have much knowledge about that other limited 80's Chevrolet. The special Corsica with the aero front and rear end and side treatments. They did these special white, At least I think they were) Corsica's in 2 and 4 door versions in 86 or 87 but they were really very limited. We were able to get a few in at the time. They did have special fascia's front and rear with side flaring and don't believe they built many. They were called (Euro) something. I recall the complete car being painted white. It's been years and can't recall the tape trim on them if any. I hope they were Corsica's? I will try to find a pic. Some had to survive and no, Don't believe they were Mary Kay cars like the others we received. Being white they were limited runs for some organization. Hmmm, Do you remember those?

 

Are your thinking of the Celebrity Eurosport VR? My friend AJ had the wagon version. Made in Red, Black, or Silver.



http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy151/81X11/VR.jpg

- Promo Video for VR


http://www.eurosportvr.com/ - Dedicated Website

 

Yeah, that's it! It has been a while. I thought it was a Corsica but was rather a special Custom Celebrity.

I know there were 2 and 4 doors on the transport, After seeing the wagon pic you uploaded I now remember them too.

I though they were pretty unique. There was the standard Eurosport version but I guess these were the Eurosport RS version labled on the door.

Thank's for the ride down memory lane. They really were pretty limited in production though. They were presold on the transport so don't believe they were easy to find on the lot's of the day.

 

Great Video, I guess they were VR's but thought they said RS on the door next to the Eurosport emblem.
Oh well many years have gone by. Only saw them new on the top rack of the transport for an hour or so and never saw one on the road after.

I like square cars...........

 

CL > albuquerque > all for sale / wanted > cars & trucks - by owner

Reply to: vkdtf-3713428494@sale.craigslist.org
Posted: 2013-04-03, 4:16PM MDT
1985 Chevy Citation X-11 w/CT RUNS GREAT - $650 (WEST ABQ)



1985 Chevy Citation X-11 2.8L 6 cyl Automatic 2 door with CLEAN TITLE needs some front end work but RUNS GREAT in its condition now.
Needs Radiator, grill and headlight
Other than that its in great condition, with great tires! This car is Rare, VERY COOL, and very durable. Great collectors choice and runs very nice!!
I also have the SHOP MANUAL for this car!!!! Great Tool to have!
$$650 obo


call or text 505-288-1298

• Location: WEST ABQ

Posting ID: 3713428494
Posted: 2013-04-03, 4:16PM MDT
Edited: 2013-04-12, 11:58AM MDT

...Other than that its in great condition!

Get 'em while they're hot!

David

 

Wow that's close to scrap prices here. And not too far away.

The hood looks bowed. I thought they were made of FRP (Fiberglass reinforced plastic) or known as fiberglass to most.

Looks solid!! The X-11 decal looks different than remembered though?

I would think grille and h/l doors could be had for it.




Hmmmmm....

 

Here's the link for that one....
http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/cto/3713428494.html

Then, for twice the money, you could have this beauty:
http://santafe.craigslist.org/cto/3666247564.html

It's my favorite town I've never been to........
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8TUwHTfOOU

 

That's a deal! '85 was the only year they had fuel injection!

 

Well now I'm torn,


Although $1,200.00 will buy me the headlight doors, grille and a straightenable left fender with an extra set of nerf strip bumpers.




But...... maybe the blue one is a better deal. yes no yes no....

 

You folks have no idea how much I want to put the tow dolly on my wagon and go nab that '85. Rarest year, best engine. I wish it had the sunroof but still, that is SHARP. I have all the parts to fix it, even a white fender....

 

Definitely a vehicle worth saving. Would be great to see someone repair it and use. Can't be many left.