1982 Chevrolet Celebrity

1982 Chevrolet Celebrity 2-door coupe
The 1982 Celebrity was unique among Chevy's midsize models
by virtue of its front-wheel drive.

The 1982 Chevrolet Celebrity front-wheel-drive line debuted to join Chevy's rear-drive Malibu and Monte Carlo mid-sizers. Though its available two- and four-door notchback body designs were unique, underneath was basically the Citation's X-car platform. Both cars rode the same 104.9-inch wheelbase, but the Celebrity (continued) had longer overhangs at each end that resulted in a total length that was more than 11 inches greater.

Celebrity's mission, however, was somewhat different than Citation's. Its added length put it in the mid-size category rather than the Citation's compact class, even though interior room was similar. It also boasted a more traditional American-car appearance than the Citation's hatchback body designs and didn't even offer a manual transmission -- just a three-speed automatic with lockup torque converter.

Engine choices differed a bit from what was available on the Citation. The base 151-cubic-inch 2.5-liter four (90 horsepower) and 173-cubic-inch 2.8-liter V-6 (112 horsepower) were carried over intact from the Citation, but the H.O. (high output) 135-horsepower 2.8-liter V-6 didn't make the trip. In its place was listed a 262-cubic-inch 4.3-liter diesel V-6 with 83 horsepower -- and great fuel mileage. It's unlikely, however, that many -- if any -- Celebritys got the diesel in 1982, which was perhaps just as well. Like its V-8 counterpart, the diesel V-6 would prove problematic down the road.

1982 Chevrolet Celebrity 4-door sedan
The 1982 Celebrity was based on the same X-body platform
as the smaller Citation.

1982 Chevrolet Celebrity Facts

Model

Weight range (lbs.)

Price range (new)

Number built
Celebrity

2,691-2,794

$8,313-$8,588

92,330

For more picture-packed articles about Chevys and other great cars, see:

  • Classic Cars: Learn about more than 400 of the world's finest classic and collectible automobiles.
  • Muscle Cars: Look back at tire-smoking Chevys and scores of other machines from the golden age of American high performance.
  • Sports Cars: Discover the pleasure of sports motoring at its purest in these captivating articles on the best sports cars from around the world.
  • Consumer Guide Automotive: Here's your source for news, reviews, prices, fuel-economy and safety information on today's cars, minivans, SUVs, and pickups.
  • Consumer Guide Used Car Search: In the market for a used Chevy or virtually any other pre-owned vehicle? Check out these reports, which include safety recalls and trouble spots.