DODGE DIPLOMAT — Specifications & VIN Lookup

About the DODGE DIPLOMAT

The Dodge Diplomat is an intermediate car that was produced by Dodge from the 1977 to 1989 model years. Introduced as a higher-priced companion model to the Dodge Aspen as Dodge phased out the long-running Dodge Dart, the Diplomat ultimately replaced the Aspen. Initially offered as a two-door coupe and four-door sedan, the model line also added a five-door station wagon for 1978. From 1982 onward, the model line became offered solely as a four-door sedan.

The Dodge Diplomat is an intermediate car that was produced by Dodge from the 1977 to 1989 model years. Introduced as a higher-priced companion model to the Dodge Aspen as Dodge phased out the long-running Dodge Dart, the Diplomat ultimately replaced the Aspen (alongside the smaller Dodge Aries). Initially offered as a two-door coupe and four-door sedan, the model line also added a five-door station wagon for 1978. From 1982 onward, the model line became offered solely as a four-door sedan. For its entire production, the Dodge Diplomat used the rear-wheel drive Chrysler M platform (an evolution of the F platform introduced by the Dodge Aspen), shared with multiple model lines. Initially launched as the counterpart of the Chrysler LeBaron (the first mid-size Chrysler), it was also sold in Canada as the Plymouth Caravelle and in Latin America as the Dodge Coronet. For 1981 and 1982, the model was sold as the Dodge Dart. For 1982, the Diplomat became the counterpart of the nearly identical Plymouth Gran Fury and the flagship Chrysler Fifth Avenue. Following the 1989 model year, Dodge retired the model line, replacing it with the front-wheel drive Dodge Monaco. The Diplomat would be the final Dodge vehicle sold with a carbureted engine and its last rear-wheel drive car (with the exception of the Viper) sold until the 2005 introduction of the Dodge Magnum. Alongside its Plymouth and Chrysler counterparts, the Dodge Diplomat marked the final vehicles of the intermediate segment, largely eliminated at the beginning of the decade by downsizing.

Background The Diplomat name was originally used by Dodge on 2-door hardtop models from 1950 to 1954. It was also used on the export version of the DeSoto from 1946 through 1962. From 1975 through 1977, the Diplomat name was also used on a trim package available on the Royal Monaco two-door hardtop. Starting with the 1977 model year, the Diplomat became a full model line, rather than as the name of a particular body style.

First generation (1977)

Introduced as a late 1977 model during spring 1977, the first generation Diplomats were a longer, designated as Chrysler's M Body cars sharing much with the Chrysler LeBaron, both of which shared much with F-body Aspen and Plymouth Volare. The chassis and mechanical components are similar with doors and various other body panels interchangeable with the Aspens. Unique to the Diplomat were the front and rear header panels, bumpers, hood and trunk lid. Larger taillights extended into the rear hatch of the station wagon. The station wagons were shorter than the sedans and coupes, which had unique bodywork with a longer rear overhang. The station wagon, introduced for the 1978 model year, used the same rear sheetmetal as the Aspen/Volaré, albeit with its own wraparound taillights.