Produced for a single generation between the 1980 through 1985 model years, the Chevy Citation was the first Chevrolet model sold with front-wheel drive, slotting in between the Chevy Malibu and Chevy Monza in the Bow Tie brand’s product lineup. Built atop the second-gen GM X-platform, the Chevy Citation was well-received upon launch, but eventually came to be one of Chevy’s more heavily criticized vehicles. Nevertheless, some enthusiasts still have a soft spot for the Citation, and now, this well-preserved example from 1980 is up for grabs.
Recently listed in an online auction, the seller acquired this 1980 Chevy Citation in 2021, and promptly gave it a thorough servicing, including new brakes, an engine tune-up, new tires, a new carburetor, and a fuel filter. The seller also fixed a vacuum leak.
Outside, this 1980 Chevy Citation has two-tone paint with beige on top of red. We also see a set of chrome bumpers, mud flaps, and complementary bright trim and moldings. A single driver’s side mirror is found on the flanks, while the factory 13-inch wheels are wrapped in185/80R13 Maxxis MA-1 tires.
Inside, the cabin is full camel knit cloth upholstery, which was applied to the front bench seat, doors, and carpet. There’s also a two-spoke Comfortilt steering wheel and 85-mph speedometer. Further notable features include power steering, air conditioning, and the factory AM radio. The headliner is apparently missing.
Making the go is the 2.5L “Iron Duke” four-cylinder engine, rated at 90 horsepower and 134 pound-feet of torque. Output reaches the front wheels through a three-speed automatic transmission.
Now, this well-preserved 1980 Chevy Citation is up for grabs on Bring A Trailer at no reserve. As of this writing, the auction has four days left, with the highest bid set at $3,000. The odometer shows 22,000 miles. The sale also includes the manufacturer’s literature.
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Source: Bring A Trailer
Comments
This one looks like old people crap but the X-11 hatches looked pretty good back in the day!
I had an original Citation X-11 mine was black with the gold graphics and I had it for a long time before it went to the graveyard in the sky.
So what is not “old people crap” now a days? The worn soap bar styling of a Tesla?
I’ll take the Citation any day of the week and restore it back to better than new, just like they do with Chryslers on GraveYard Cars.
Beautiful car!
The Citation is the car everyone loves to hate nowadays.
We had one when it was brand new.
It was a superb, reliable car that gave us years of faithful service.
I’m bidding on this. 😁
Just when I thought this piece of junk was wiped from my memory bank someone for some unknown reason pulls one out from its wrapper.
donate it to gm for its historical collection,scratch that,they want to wipe it from their memory bank also.
Never was my fave Chevys, for good reason. These contraptions drove buyers to foreign imports.
I remember that car well – even the commercial of the police officer giving the driver a Citation (something like that). But all I can think of now is that is one Ugly Car!
We owned a 1980 Citation. It was good car for us and later we used it like a truck when we were building a home. FInally traded it for a boat.
Wow, just broke into a cold sweat seeing a Citation! Ordered a 1981 the way I wanted it. Two door hatch in teal with saddle interior. Four cylinder stick with chrome package and rally wheels. Looked great. What a junker. Spent more time at dealer than on the road. Trans synchro was broken when I picked it up. Wouldn’t idle when cold so it stalled. Driver window would get stuck when car was in sunshine. The list goes on. Worst part was replaced ’77 Camaro LT v8 with 3-speed manual with the Citation. Ouch.
The Citation was a breath of fresh air back in 1980. I remember it well. Nice car and well designed, the overwhelming problem was the poor union assembly of it. If a non union manufacturer has assembled it, the assembly quality would be 5x as good.
Unfortunately in those days, there were 2 GM’s: one that designed it, and the other company that assembled it: the unions.
Any criticisms of this model can be directed back to the plant and the Local that slapped it together.
I have owned two of the Citations, one new, one used
Each vehicle was driven over 260,000 miles, without any rebuilds, just standard service, oil, filters, tires and fuel. Totally dependable heat or cold (Wisconsin winters) reasonably economical for their day (30-40 mpg) nothing to criticize except that they were not rustproof, at about 12 years the bodies were gone, drive trains still working.
My first new car ever was a 1981 2 door hatch x11 ordered it with all opts $9991 30 mpg was good car for college kid my younger brother it was his first car liked the fold down rear seat slept in the back on lot trips car got t boned at 120,000 in 1995 not the best build quality but never broke down
Wow Walt, you obviously could never get buy the interview process with an attitude like that, and exactly the reason you ended up being jealous of the Union members making a lot more money than you.
Wow, jealous is that what it was. Really, guys. Trying to defend one of the worst cars that GM produced and bragging about being overpaid to basically speed up the fall of GM. Shame on you. Such a sad thing. I am pretty sure you would never hear or see chatter like you two on a Toyota site. Admittedly i really wanted to like it in 1980 but time quickly showed the ugly truth. This was an epidemic going on of bad cars with the UAW simply not caring and basically raping the buyer with this hidden crappy car to make them run in droves to anyone but GM. If you foolishly sit there so proud of your fat retirement , it proves me right. Shame on you and all your buds who could care less . Hang your head in shame, as you look back.
Amazing that car is in such great shape. I remember when that car came out. First one I ever saw was blue with blue interior.
I had one bought new in 81. Only had 2 problems 4 speed transmission synchros went out. And they put the wrong struts springs on the front at the factory. All fixed with in 1 month. Kept it till 1987.
I had a pontiac phoenix 1980 with FWD and after it made 84,200 miles the engine threw a rod in the cylinder #6 then turned out to be junked at a local junkyard in SAN DIEGO and got $150 cash for it but all the X body cars had major issues with them,if GM had built better cars without FWD they would sell a lot better even today because FWD is a nightmare to do anything in the engines when replacing things like serpentine belts,heater cores,power steering hoses,water pumps etc.
Buying a SUV is now the vehicles of choice today but gas prices to fill the tanks will be past the $45 mark OUCH.
Had a 1981 Citation 4-door, white with blue interior. Carbureted Iron Duke which, after setting the choke with a full press of the throttle pedal, if it didn’t start on first turn of the key it wasn’t likely to fire up. Felt like a sports car after the 1973 Kingswood Estate with a 454 I was previously driving. Loved the hatch and folding rear seats but it was slow and rusted out too soon in the salty MI winters.
I had two Chevette’s instead. Both 4 doors. Both CS models. 1984 & 1986. I felt they were a better choice over the Citation. Pretty sure I was right. The X-11 was a damn good looking car for the time period tho.
I just sold my 1985 Citation ll. I miss it..if this one is still available..count me in ! I love everything about it.