Citation X-11-Page 2: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Jan. 31, 2009 7:46 a.m. ddavidv SuperDork
Goldmember wrote:
1. The V-6 5 spds cranked(not just the X-11 models)
Citations, including X-11s, only ever had 4 speeds. There is exactly ONE 5 speed X-11 in existence, and I know this because a good friend of mine owned it (it still exists, abandoned in a garage somewhere around here). The 5 speed trans in it was a GM 'experimental' unit that was destined for the trash but saved by a GM engineer...who just happened to be my friend's uncle. I rode many miles in the shotgun seat of this car which also had a modified 2.8 and, for something of the era, it ran pretty well. But the 2.8 always suffered from reliability issues with gaskets, crankshafts and cams. I think a Z-24 Cavalier would be a more available and probably better starting point for a build than a Citation, unless your goal is a V8 swap.
Jan. 31, 2009 9:16 a.m. glueguy New Reader

I grew up in Dayton, OH. The dealership was a longtime fixture, so it wasn't until much later that I realized that the name "Smedley Chevrolet" was odd. It was still there a couple years ago, out by the airport.....

Dr. Bob was the local hot shoe. FIrst one to have a C4 SSGT car in the area, in addition to the Citation. He got picked up by Morrison-Cook and raced Corvettes then IROCs in the Escort Endurance Series (ex-Playboy), which completes the Heinricy connection. He was fast and had good cars. He was "involved" in the years of the first big wave of showroom stock DQ's at Runoffs. I think one year (84/85?) both of his cars got bounced. Things calmed down for a couple of years and then got silly in SS again in the late 80's with the turbo cars (especially the Peugot 505).

GM did some odd things back in the mid 80's in terms of availability. My Dad wanted a more practical and more sleeper X-11. We special ordered a new 83 Pontiac Phoenix 5 door, complete with F41 suspension, full gauges, and the X-11 HO V6. Bench seat, column shift auto, 205/70-13 on steel wheels, and no cowl induction. The car was so ala carte that the options on the window sticker filled onto a second page. Both rear doors had window stickers. I think that the cigarette lighter was like a $4 option.

Can ran is FS back then. Even though the Mustang GT had a 2bbl carb and the Z-28 used the huge 215/60-15 A001R, the poor X-body had no hope.
Feb. 3, 2009 9:11 p.m. racerfink New Reader

My '81 X killed the Mustangs and Z-28's in F-Stock in the S. Tx. Border Region. The X had 215/60-14 Eagle Gatorbacks on it from the factory. I had Firestone S-660's on mine at the time. It also made 135hp and 160ft/lbs, while the Z-28 was the hp "KING" of FStock at 185hp. The front discs were barely smaller than the Camaros, and it weighed quite a bit less as well.

I sold it to a friend of mine when his wife blew up their only car. It had 138k miles on it, and was auto-x'd quite a bit. The factory redline was 6k (unheard of for an American car in 1981), and I regulary turned it to 7k. I wish I had that car back...
Feb. 3, 2009 9:20 p.m. Carson HalfDork

Stop making me want one of these.

The last time I saw one was at an autocross, it wasn't competing, it just happened to be at the strip mall down the street where we went for lunch. It wasn't in great shape.
Feb. 3, 2009 10:37 p.m. 96DXCivic Reader

There is one on ebay motors right now.
Feb. 4, 2009 3:29 p.m. racerfink New Reader

This is probably someone who had one in high school, and is now making a lot of money.

http://eddytheb.com/finished-projects/1985-chevy-citation-x-11/
Sept. 24, 2010 4:41 p.m. champ150 None

In reply to Tom Heath:

81 X-11 with 35k mikes, all stock, 2.8 HO V-6,I bought it new on June 3, 1981. even has oringinal tires on it. considering selling it, I remember beating 350 Novas with this pocket rocket back in the day. NOTHING out handles one of these. champ150@aol.com
Sept. 24, 2010 4:44 p.m. champ150 New Reader

In reply to Carson:

81 X-11 with 35k mikes, all stock, 2.8 HO V-6,I bought it new on June 3, 1981. even has oringinal tires on it. considering selling it, I remember beating 350 Novas with this pocket rocket back in the day. NOTHING out handles one of these. champ150@aol.com
Sept. 24, 2010 5:01 p.m. novaderrik Reader

i think the X11 was the quickest American car at the time.. which is kind of sad..

they were more than a fancy graphics package- they had fiberglass hoods with functional cowl induction scoops, better suspension pieces, and cooler wheels. someway, i will own a notchback X11 and will swap a newer V6 in it- maybe a 3.4 out of a late 90's/early '00's fwd GM car or even a supercharged 3.8 bolted to a 5 speed.
Sept. 24, 2010 5:13 p.m. racerfink HalfDork

In reply to champ150:

Where are you located Champ?