Chevrolet Celebrity

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Chevrolet Celebrity
1987-89 Chevrolet Celebrity sedan
ManufacturerChevrolet
Parent companyGeneral Motors
Production1982–1990
AssemblyOshawa, Ontario
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Ramos Arizpe, Mexico
Framingham, Massachusetts
Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec
Bogota, Colombia
PredecessorChevrolet Malibu
SuccessorChevrolet Lumina
ClassMid-size
Body style(s)2-door coupé
4-door sedan
4-door station wagon
LayoutFF layout
PlatformA-body
Engine(s)2.5 L I4
2.8 L V6
3.1 L V6
Transmission(s)4-speed 440-T4 automatic
5-speed Getrag manual
3-speed THM125 automatic
Wheelbase104.8 in (2662 mm)
LengthWagon: 190.8 in (4846 mm)
Sedan & Coupe: 188.3 in (4783 mm)
WidthCoupe & Sedan: 69.2 in (1758 mm)
Wagon: 69.3 in (1760 mm)
HeightCoupe & Sedan: 54.2 in (1377 mm)
Wagon: 54.3 in (1379 mm)
RelatedBuick Century
Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera
Pontiac 6000
ManualsService Manual

The Chevrolet Celebrity was a mid-size car built by the Chevrolet division of General Motors. The Celebrity was introduced in 1981 for the 1982 model year. Sales were strong — the Celebrity was the best-selling car in the United States in 1986. Celebrities were built at Oshawa Car Assembly in Ontario, Canada; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Framingham, Massachusetts, Bogota, Colombia and Ramos Arizpe, Mexico. Although sold for only one generation, it received its first facelift in 1984, and the other in 1986, which included a sleeker front end and a simpler taillight layout. The Celebrity's last facelift was in 1987, when composite headlamps replaced the quad rectangular sealed beam units. The coupe was discontinued after 1988, and Celebrity production ended on July 7, 1989, with the exception of the wagon, which was disconinued a few months after 1989.

The Chevrolet Celebrity was based on the front wheel drive A-body shared with the Buick Century, Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera, Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser and the Pontiac 6000.

Engines:

  • 1982-1989 Tech IV 2.5 L (151 in³) I4
  • 1982-1989 2.8 L (173 in³) V6
  • 1990 3.1 L (191 in³) V6

Part of GM's mid-size A-body quartet, The Celebrity used the same engines as one of its siblings, the Pontiac 6000. The interior space and running gear were the same as the Chevrolet Citation, but the Celebrity was trimmed and equipped better. Power steering/brakes and an automatic transmission were standard equipment in 1982 and 1983; the automatic became optional later on. A roomy 4-door station wagon debuted for 1984, as did a Eurosport handling/appearance package which included Sport Rallye rims, blacked out trim, a sporty steering wheel and a heavier duty suspension. Although the Rallye rims could also be ordered with base models. Another Model was The Celebrity CL which had woodgrain on the dash and wheel and plush seats, and the Celebrity Classic which deleted the fixed rear windows and added a mock convertable top.

The base 2.5 L "Tech IV" I4 engine (Pontiac's Iron Duke) was criticized for being underpowered, but a high-output fuel-injected V6 became optional for 1986. The diesel engine departed after 1985. The Generation II engines, reworked for 1987, now had fuel injection standard and had a new distributorless ignition system, and a new Getrag-designed 5-speed manual transmission became available with the V6. Balance shafts were added to the Tech IV engine for 1988. The coupe was dropped for the 1988 model year. The 4-cylinder engine received a 12 hp (9 kW) gain late in the 1989 model year. The Celebrity also did not share the redesigned roofline and rear quarter window panels its siblings were given (starting in 1989), because the upcoming Chevrolet Lumina would replace the sedan for 1990. Only the station wagon remained for the 1990 model year, with a new optional 3.1 L V6 engine.

The Celebrity was more spacious than the rear-drive 1978-vintage Malibu that it was intended to replace, with front wheel drive traction and more responsive handling. Workmanship was good, so these cars bettered the dismal recall record of their X-body parents. There were driveability problems with the computerized engine control system in 1982 models, and deterioration of the upper engine mount (also called a dogbone) caused engine/transaxle vibration.

Chevrolet Celebrities in all models were available with 2 different bolt patterns on the wheel hub. Additionally, the trans-axles and brakes were different on these two patterns. The smaller of the bolt pattern was used in the standard models, and used a non-vented disc brake while the larger bolt pattern was to house the heavy duty vented disc brakes. A missconseption is that all Eurosports came with the larger bolt pattern, this was not the case. Most of the heavy duty braking systems went to base model Chevrolet Celebrities for fleet vehicles and taxis.

External links