I walked past a small junkyard in Philadelphia in February 2014. A Redwood Metallic Citation X-11 was recognizable though definitely not well-preserved, but it did encourage me to publish this blog post. A 1982 X-11 with 10,511 miles being auctioned on Bring a Trailer prompted me to update and enhance it.
“It gives you goose bumps.”
Chevrolet’s Citation X-car is now known chiefly for being constantly recalled, but there were some positive points. The sporty X-11 version was a definite glimmer of hope.
The Citation X-11 was built around a specific engine for all but its first year. For 1981, the $1,498 X-11 package featured the LH7 2.8 liter/172 ci “HO” V6 with a Rochester Varajet II 2SE two-barrel carburetor, making 135 bhp, instead of the 110 bhp that the “generic” LE2 V6 made in other Citations. Upgrades from the LE2 to the LE7 included a higher compression ratio (8.9:1 versus 8.5:1). The standard transmission was the four-speed manual with a three-speed automatic optional. The four-speed, along with the X-11‘s specific axle ratio, was good enough to give a 0-60 time of around 8.5 seconds.
Other changes for 1981 were the addition of a hood bulge and aluminum alloy wheels. The X-11 also received power brakes and the F41 Sport Suspension, which featured revised shock absorbers, stiffer anti-roll bars, and P215/60R14 tires (a size still available thanks to BFGoodrich and Riken). Inside was an instrument panel that included a five-gauge cluster, a leather-wrapped sport steering wheel, and cloth bucket seats. Exterior X-11 specific appearance items included a black grill and body accents, sport mirrors, and a rear spoiler.
Standard exterior and mechanical equipment on every Citation included front-wheel-drive, rack-and-pinion steering, front disc/rear drum brakes, and a Delco Freedom Battery II. Inside, dual-speed electric windshield wipers, sliding door locks, a locking glove compartment, and a Delco AM push-button radio with two front speakers were all included.
Options available included air conditioning ($585), cruise control ($123), intermittent wipers ($41), rear defogger ($107), and tilt steering wheel ($81).
The View From 2023
X-11‘s do sometimes show up in the Hemming’s Motor News classifieds, and at online auctions such as eBay Motors and Bring a Trailer that cater to the eighties car market.
Make mine Silver Metallic, please.
Other Citations and Citation IIs I’ve written about include the 1980 hatchback sedan and the 1985 hatchback sedan. X-cars from other marques covered in this blog include the 1983 Buick Skylark T TYPE coupe, the 1984 Oldsmobile Omega sedan, and the 1982 Pontiac Phoenix SJ coupe.
Updated June 2023.
Eighties Cars 
Had one…..1981 4 speed car…..it was the absolute BOMB!. Faster than the 1979 4 speed Z28 I traded it for and handled like it was on rails. Build quality was of Helen Keller levels…….had to replace motor mounts semi annually, but it was a blast to drive. Power all the way to the 6500rpm redline.
My brother had 2 X’s … an ‘80 with 13” tires & an “81 with 14”! He constantly ate up Trans Am’s with their 3 spd autos! Both of his were 4 spd manuals…. He always lamented “if it only had a 5 spd like your “85 GT”!!!!! Fun cars I will admit!!!!