The Opel Diplomat is an automobile from German maker Opel.
[] Origin
Opels top-line saloon traditionally was the Kapitän (introduced in 1939). The model proved very popular in the 50s in Germany, when it became the best-selling six-cylinder car in the country, rivalling the more expensive saloons of Mercedes-Benz. According to General Motors practice, there were almost annual styling changes; the car constantly grew bigger and heavier.
Opel Diplomat A
Diplomat A
Diplomat
Production: 1964–1968
Engine: 6-cylinder
In 1964, a completely new line of top-notch saloons was introduced in three trim levels, named Kapitän, Admiral and Diplomat, available with a 2.6 l inline-six, a 2.8 l inline-six or Chevrolet's 307-V8 (5.0 l) teamed with the two-speed Powerglide. The latter was supplanted by the 327-V8 (5.4 l) plus the three-speed Hydramatic. A Diplomat Coupé (with the 327 only) was also available from 1965 to 1967 in limited numbers. The Coupé was built by coachbuilder Karmann and costed DM 25.000 (as much as 7 VW Beetles). These models were even larger than their predecessors (stretching to almost 200 inches) and found little favor with the European public.
Opel Diplomat B
Diplomat B
Diplomat
Production: 1969–1977
Engine: 6-cylinder
In 1969, Opel introduced a new line of Kapitän/Admiral/Diplomat models with new bodies of unchanged size and powertrain. The new body was a typical GM effort and bore a strong resemblance to the contemporary Holden Statesman of Australia. The Dipomat V-8 tried in vain to compete with Mercedes' new 350 and 450 SE; Opel even offered a long-wheelbase version of the V-8 to keep up with Mercedes' SEL models. Opel kept building these models, that found little success in the market, until 1977. They were superseded in 1978 by the new Opel Senator of a somewhat more manageable size and more modern, European styling
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