The Demise of Station Wagons: How the Celebrity Led to the End
Introduction:
The era of the station wagon began to crumble in the 1980s due to the emergence of game-changing minivans and the influential Jeep Cherokee. However, one model that often goes unnoticed is the Chevrolet Celebrity. In this article, we will delve into the rich history of the Celebrity, its impact on families, and its ultimate fate in the junkyard.
The Celebrity’s Rise and Success:
The Chevrolet Celebrity, built on GM’s front-wheel-drive A Platform, was introduced in 1982 and remained in production until 1990. It quickly became a massive success, with over 2 million units sold. Its near-identical siblings under different GM divisions were the Buick Century, Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera/Cruiser, and Pontiac 6000. Despite its popularity, the Celebrity suffered from mixed reviews and experiences.
Personal Experience and Lemon Scandal:
The author shares a personal anecdote about their family’s unfortunate experience with the Celebrity. After a series of repair issues and constant breakdowns, the car drove their parents away from Detroit-made vehicles permanently, leading them to Toyota and Mazda. However, it’s worth noting that not all Celebrity owners had negative experiences.
Junkyard Find and Heartwarming Ending:
The author stumbles upon a rare find in a Denver self-service yard – a well-preserved Celebrity wagon with a beautiful interior. Despite initially lamenting the waste of such nice parts, they remember a married couple who are devoted Celebrity enthusiasts. The couple had just sold their rally-ready Celebrity, but fortunately, a new owner who collects and restores Celebrities had arranged to pick it up. The discovery of the near-impossible-to-find parts donor in the junkyard becomes a heartwarming story of automotive enthusiasts coming together.
Under the Hood and Expensive Options:
The junkyard find boasts the optional high-output 2.8-liter V6 engine that delivers 125 horsepower and 160 pound-feet of torque. The base engine was the 2.5-liter Iron Duke four-cylinder, while a 4.3-liter diesel V6 was available for a few years. The car features a four-speed automatic transmission, and some models even came with a three-speed automatic. The author highlights the impressive audio hardware of the time, specifically the optional AM/FM/cassette radio with auto-reverse and Dolby noise reduction, which cost buyers $319 (about $909 today).
The Journey to the Junkyard:
Unfortunately, this Celebrity’s journey to the junkyard is imminent. The author mourns the damage caused to the car’s body during the extraction process, as junkyard employees often use drastic methods to open hoods quickly. Notably absent from this particular model is the rear-facing “wayback” seat commonly found in wagons of the time.
The Legacy of the Celebrity:
The Lumina replaced the Celebrity sedan, whereas the Lumina APV minivan took over as the midsize family-hauling vehicle. The 1996 Caprice marked the end of Chevrolet station wagons in the United States.
Conclusion:
While the Chevrolet Celebrity may have been a mixed bag in terms of reliability and performance, it undeniably played a role in shaping automotive history. Its success as one of GM’s best-selling models cannot be overlooked. Though overshadowed by minivans and SUVs, the Celebrity retains a loyal following among enthusiasts who appreciate its unique charm and nostalgic value.