Diplomat

Background:

In 1977, Dodge revived the Diplomat name from the 50s as a compact/intermediate to go up against the Ford Granada and Mercury Monarch. The Diplomat's platform was the M Body, which was a modified version of the newly released [F Body]] used by the Volare and Aspen. Chrysler that same year introduced the LeBaron as Diplomat's sophisticated sister. The Diplomat survived in Coupe form through 1981, and the sedan lasted through the 1989 model.

History:

Model Predecessor

Monaco, which had replaced Coronet for 1977, would be phased out at the end of 1978 as the family 2-door and 4-door models.

Model Successor

In 1990, the Dodge Monaco replaced the Diplomat, which was discontinued after 1989.

Export Versions

• In Canada this car would also be available as the Plymouth Caravelle
• In Mexico this car would be the Dart
• In Columbia this car would be the Coronet

Related Models

• Chrysler LeBaron 1977-81. There was styling change for 1980.
• Plymouth Grand Fury 1982-1989 was Plymouth's version of the 4-Dr Diplomat in the U.S.
• Chrysler 5th Ave 1982-1989 was Chrysler's Upscale 4-Dr on the M Body
• Plymouth Caravelle was sold only in Canada, 1978-89, and was Plymouth's version of the Diplomat in Canada, succeeding the Fury. There was a styling change for 1980.

Competition

• Chevrolet Chevelle
• Ford Granada
• Mercury Monarch
• Pontiac Grand Prix
• Oldsmobile Cutlass
• Buick Regal
• AMC Matador

Body Styles

• 2-Door Coupe
• 4-Door Sedan
• 4-Door Wagon

1977 - 1979 Diplomat

Technical:

Class

Mid-Priced Intermediate

Platform

M Body

Engines

• 225 CI Slant Six (1 or 2 bbl)
• 318 2bbl V-8
• 318 4bbl V-8 (added in '78, last year '86)
• 360 2bbl V-8
• 360 4bbl V-8

Transmissions

• 3-speed A727 automatic (In some of the 360ci Diplomats)
• 3-speed A904 automatic
• 3-speed A998 automatic
• 3-speed A999 automatic
• 4-speed A833 manual (very rare option)

Specifications:

Length, width, height, wheelbase

• Length 204.6 in
• Width 72.4 in
• Height 55.1 in
• Wheelbase 112.6 in

Production Numbers:

1977

1977 Model Year Production All Diplomats were built at the St.Louis Assembly Plant

                             Base              Medallion
                        Coupe      Sedan       Coupe     Sedan
                         GH22       GH41       GP22       GP41
                        14023       9647       9215       4667         Total Built
                        12358       8109       9215       4667         Built for the U.S. Market
                         1665       1538          0          0         Built for Canada

1978

1979

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

References:

• Collectible Automobile February 2003 pg.85-87 Feature the 1977-1979 as that month's "Cheap Wheels" pick

External Links

• F/J/M-Bodies Forums
• F/J/M Photo Albums
• Wikipedia article on the Diplomat