Chevrolet Celebrity

The Chevrolet Celebrity is an automobile that was produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors. Sold from the 1982 to 1990 model years, a single generation of the Celebrity was produced, replacing the Malibu as the mid-size Chevrolet model range. During the early 1960s, the nameplate was first used by Oldsmobile for the pillared sedan version of the Oldsmobile 88.[1]

For other uses, see Celebrity (disambiguation).
Chevrolet Celebrity
1984-1985 Chevrolet Celebrity station wagon
Overview
ManufacturerChevrolet (General Motors)
Production1981–1990
Model years1982–1990
Assembly
Body and chassis
ClassMid-size
Body style2-door coupe
4-door sedan
4-door station wagon
LayoutTransverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
PlatformA-body
RelatedBuick Century
Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera
Pontiac 6000
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission3-speed 3T40 automatic
4-speed 4T60 automatic
5-speed Getrag manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase104.8 in (2,662 mm)
LengthCoupe & Sedan: 188.3 in (4,783 mm)
Wagon: 190.8 in (4,846 mm)
WidthCoupe & Sedan: 69.2 in (1,758 mm)
Wagon: 69.3 in (1,760 mm)
HeightCoupe & Sedan: 54.2 in (1,377 mm)
Wagon: 54.3 in (1,379 mm)
Chronology
PredecessorChevrolet Malibu
SuccessorChevrolet Lumina
Chevrolet Lumina APV (station wagon)

It is based on the front-wheel drive GM A platform, and was produced alongside the Buick Century, Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera, and Pontiac 6000. The interior space and running gear are the same as the compact Citation, but Celebrity is trimmed and equipped better. Power steering/brakes and automatic transmission were standard in 1982-83 and became optional in 1984. The station wagon debuted for 1984 and so did a Eurosport handling/ appearance package. A high-output fuel-injected V6 became an option in 1985, and diesel engines were phased out. Generation II engines, reworked for 1987, have fuel injection, and a new Getrag-designed 5-speed manual transmission became available with the V6. Balance shafts were added to the Tech IV engine for '88. The 4-cylinder engine gained 12 horsepower in late 1989. Two-doors sold poorly and were dropped the same year.

For the 1990 model year, the Celebrity sedan was discontinued, replaced by the Chevrolet Lumina, with the Chevrolet Lumina APV minivan replacing the station wagon, which ended production after the 1990 model year.

Model overview
Chevrolet Celebrity wagon rear

Introduced in January 1982[2], the Chevrolet Celebrity was offered in two-door and four-door notchback sedan body styles. Chevrolet was the first GM division to transition its mid-size sedans to front-wheel drive, producing the Celebrity alongside its Malibu predecessor for two model years.

Chassis

The Celebrity is based on the GM A-body platform. Introduced for 1982 as the replacement for the rear-wheel drive G-body platform, the A platform marked the expansion of front-wheel drive from the compact segment into mid-size vehicles. To lower development and production costs, the A platform shares design commonality with the compact-car X platform; the Celebrity shares its 104.9 inch (2,665 mm) wheelbase with the Chevrolet Citation.[3] While derived from the X-body chassis, the A-body platform would not share entirely in its controversial recall issues. 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.

Celebritys were available with 2 different bolt patterns on the wheel hub, either 100mm (JA1 code) or 115mm (JA2 code). Additionally, the transaxles 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 misconception is that all Eurosport models came with the larger bolt pattern, but this was not the case. Most Celebritys equipped with heavy-duty braking systems were base model vehicles intended for fleet and taxi use.

Powertrain
  • 1982–1990 Tech IV 2.5 L (151 in³) TBI I4
  • 1982–1986 2.8 L (173 in³) 2 bbl carbureted V6 (RPO LE2)
  • 1984 2.8 L (173 in³) 2 bbl carbureted V6 (RPO LH7)
  • 1985–1989 2.8 L (173 in³) MPFI V6 (RPO L44 (iron head, '85-'86) and LB6 (aluminum head, '87-'89))
  • 1984–1985 4.3 L (263 in³) Diesel V6
  • 1990 3.1 L (191 in³) MPFI V6 (RPO LH0)

Body

The Celebrity shares its roofline with the 1982-1988 Buick Century and is distinguished from other A-platform vehicles by its coved rear fascia. For 1984, Chevrolet introduced a five-door Celebrity station wagon[4]; for the first time since 1977, a mid-size station wagon was available with a third-row seat.[4]

Throughout its production, the Celebrity saw relatively few updates, with minor exterior revisions in 1984, 1986, and 1987.[4][5][6] Distinguished by the addition of composite headlamps in 1987, other revisions included the addition of a CHMSL (acronym for "center high mount stop lamp" and informally pronounced /ˈtʃɪmzəl/⁠: a central brake lamp mounted higher than the vehicle's left and right stop lamps) in 1986 and the 1990 addition of door-mounted front seatbelts (in place of airbags).

  • 1984 Chevrolet Celebrity 2-door
  • 1984 Chevrolet Celebrity 2-door rear
  • 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity 4-door
  • Chevrolet Celebrity 4-door rear
  • 1990 Chevrolet Celebrity station wagon

Trim Levels

During its nine-year run, the Celebrity was available with various trim/option packages including CS, CL, Estate (which added exterior simulated woodgrain applique on wagons), Eurosport, and Eurosport VR.

One of the most popular versions of the Chevrolet Celebrity is the Celebrity Eurosport.[4] Introduced in 1984 as an option package, the Eurosport is both a cosmetic and performance option package for the Chevrolet Celebrity. Distinguished by its black window trim and red emblems, the Eurosport was offered with the 2.8L HO V6 from the Citation X-11 as an option (along with any Celebrity powertrain).[4] Other parts of the Eurosport package include a heavy-duty F41 suspension, black steering wheel and 14" Sport Rallye wheels (which became an option for all Celebrity sedans/wagons). The interior was given model-specific red emblems on the door panels and dashboard.

In Canada, for the 1988 model year, the Olympic Eurosport edition was offered as a tie-in to the Calgary Winter Olympics. Offered only in monochrome white, with all blackout trim exterior painted white to match the body. The only interior colour trim was saddle, with an Olympic logo mounted on the B pillar.

Based on the 1986 Chevrolet Eurosport RS concept car, Chevrolet offered the Celebrity Eurosport VR limited edition option package for 1987 and 1988.[6] Converted by Autostyle Cars, near Oklahoma City Assembly, the Eurosport VR was fitted with ground effects, body decals, a blanked-out grille, and aluminum wheels. For 1987, the VR was offered for the four-door sedan and station wagon and are distinguished by their interior, which includes red carpeting, special tri-color door panels, bucket seats with thigh bolsters, and a rear seat cup holder. For 1988, two-door versions were produced as well and were produced with interiors from a standard Celebrity or Celebrity CL. The Eurosport VR was produced in only four colors: red, silver, black, and white.

  • 1984-1985 Chevrolet Celebrity Eurosport
  • 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity Eurosport, rear
  • 1987-1989 Chevrolet Celebrity Eurosport
  • Chevrolet Celebrity Eurosport VR
  • Chevrolet Celebrity Eurosport VR rear view

Discontinuation

Following the 1987 model year, General Motors ended regular updates to the Celebrity, concentrating on development of the Chevrolet Lumina. In response to decreasing demand for two-door mid-size sedans, the two-door Celebrity was discontinued after the 1988 model year. The Celebrity sedan was withdrawn following the 1989 model year, with the station wagon dropped during the 1990 model year.[7]

Production

During the 1980s, within Chevrolet, the Celebrity competed with the Cavalier as the highest-selling car of the brand, overtaking the Cavalier in sales for 1986 and 1987.[5][6] For 1986, the Celebrity was the highest-selling car in the United States[8]; as of 2019, it remains the final time a Chevrolet vehicle (or one from any GM brand) has done so.

1982-1989 Chevrolet Celebrity production
Year Production
1982[2] 92,330
1983[9] 139,829
1984[4] 309,288
1985[10] 354,832
1986[5] 404,883
1987[6] 362,524
1988[11] 258,456
1989[7] 201,661

Notes
  1. Witzenburg, Gary. "The Name Game", Motor Trend, April 1984, p.82.
  2. "Chevrolet Celebrity". HowStuffWorks. August 7, 2007. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  3. "Chevrolet Celebrity". HowStuffWorks. August 7, 2007. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  4. "Chevrolet Celebrity". HowStuffWorks. August 7, 2007. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  5. "Chevrolet Celebrity". HowStuffWorks. August 7, 2007. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  6. "Chevrolet Celebrity". HowStuffWorks. August 7, 2007. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  7. "Chevrolet Celebrity". HowStuffWorks. August 7, 2007. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  8. "Best Selling 80s Cars for Each Year of the 1980s | In the 1980s". In the 1980s. January 7, 2018. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  9. "Chevrolet Celebrity". HowStuffWorks. August 7, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  10. "Chevrolet Celebrity". HowStuffWorks. August 7, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  11. "Chevrolet Celebrity". HowStuffWorks. August 7, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
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