Why the Dodge Diplomat Was a Decent All Around Car.

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.
The second generation 1980 model year brought new exterior sheet metal for the Diplomat. The early '80s brought challenges to the auto industry, such as rising fuel prices and changing regulations. The Dodge Diplomat adapted to these times by offering a more fuel-efficient six cylinder engine and a smaller V8, allowing it to remain relevant during an era of increased emphasis on fuel economy.
Interesting note, Chrysler's then executive vice president for manufacturing, Steve Sharf, met with officials at American Motors (AMC) to use the extra capacity at an assembly plant in Kenosha, Wisconsin to build the cars.[4]
About 250,000 Chrysler and Dodge models were built by AMC at a lower cost than Chrysler could. This relationship evolved into Chrysler's purchase of AMC in 1987.[4]
1981 was also the year that the police package version arrived. The Diplomat its sister the Plymouth Gran Fury were smaller than the Chevy and Ford competition, but had slightly better performance than the Ford and Chevy in certain years.
One of the reasons some police forces liked the Diplomat was that it was shorter than the Ford Crown Victoria and Chevrolet Caprice alternatives, making it more maneuverable in chases.
For 1985 a SE edition Diplomat went on sale with a restyled front end (looking like a Chrysler 5th Avenue) . A few SE edition Diplomats made their way into police forces, but these cars cost more. In the United States, the Dodge Diplomat out-sold the Plymouth Gran Fury every year as cop cars.
The Dodge Diplomat's production came to a close in 1989, concluding an illustrious decade-long run.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

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[@bigpapab]

My Dad had a 1980 Diplomat with a slant 6. Really the first car I drove. Great car! I miss it and Dad. Great memories.

[@rjl9707]

I had the 1980 Volare with slant 6 and 3 speed manual on the floor. Lots of torque out of these slant 6!

[@LukeHolberg-kw8rr]

My dad and uncle had a diplomat when they were in high school in the 90’s my dad had the civilian car while my uncle had the cop car and both my dad and my uncle loved there cars! Wished Dodge would bring this car back and make Dodge the number 1 sold police car in the USA 🇺🇸 again!

[@elizandrolopez6295]

Blessess for this very wise words as i'm still own as my daily driver a 5th Avenue which is the same with low engine regulated performance but in the right hand that can fixed in no time back to his high performance glory like i did with mine!😁👍🏾🤘🏽

[@BlackPill-pu4vi]

I fondly remember my Dad's 1978 Chrysler LeBaron 4-door sedan. It was a damn good car and gave him good service, since he was on the road a lot. It had the 225 Super Six (with 2bbl carburetor). He and a neighbor put different main jets in the carb and that made a world of difference. He kept it until it turned 90K miles and traded it in. I suppose he could've kept it but, he was from the era when it was wise to think about trading in at 60K miles. His LeBaron was a good car and that about sums it up.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

@elizandrolopez6295 Wow! Very cool.

[@sergeantbigmac]

All the cops in my part of the country have gone to SUVs so I dont think a sedan would sell as well as you think, even if they managed to redesign it well.

[@SquirminHermanthe1eyedGerman]

Back in 1992 I got an '86 Diplomat DeKalb County {Georgia} unmarked detective cop car from a police auction for $800! Had the 318 4bbl with dual exhaust but 360 heads, hotter cam, dual spark distributer & a great suspension ✌💖☮

[@alanstrong55]

Diplomat was a fine car. Gave owners their money's worth.

[@clarenceupton6243]

My mother had a 1988 Dodge Diplomat four door sedan back in 1995, I drove it quite a few times, it was a smooth driving automobile and had the best stereo system, and it also had the 318 V8😊❤👍

[@albertadams2095]

My late uncle had one and I thought it looked like him… Something about those headlights with the indicators on top (like bold, thick brows) and the confidence in the design (no pretense of sport, straightforward lines, just the right amount of class - alluding a debonair vibe, etc.) will forever remind me of him and the energy of that era

[@robertmitchell9276]

I'm gutting myself.

[@Superbird43]

My first car was an 86 4 barrel diplomat cop car. Loved that car, it was bullet proof.

[@richardtibbetts574]

I had something similar. My car was an ex FBI car, a 1979, 4 door Plymouth Volare with the 318 4bbl engine.

[@owenwilliams1911]

This is so cool never thought I'd see a video on the dodge diplomat but it's great

[@LukeHolberg-kw8rr]

Totally agree with you! And it’s probably one of the coolest Dodge’s of the 80’s!

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Thanks Owen and Luke. When i finished the video, I called my brother and told him that all the cars looked alike. SQUARE.. hehe!

[@smellsuperb1]

I had the Gran Fury version of this 💯

[@blest5132]

I grew up in NYC and these cars were everywhere. highway cops, city cops, transit cops, detective's cars, FDNY etc. they were synonymous with the city, if someone pulled up in one of these you would just assume they worked for the city.

[@kevinwong6588]

Also common taxis in the TLC fleet, which would dominated by Caprice and Crown Victoria in the 1990s. The TLC could have returned to the 300/Charger, similar dimensions to the Diplomat.

[@vr4787]

My parents had an 88 Diplomat with a 2 barrel 318. Was a good solid car all around, went over 360,000 miles before they sold it. The lean burn system would give my dad hell trying to get it to pass emissions. I miss cold starting it and the sound of the old Mopar starter.

[@brianbeswick3646]

I learned how to drive on my Dad's 1978 Chrysler lebaron town and country wagon. I have owned 2 Lebaron's a 1978 2door lebaron and a 1979 2 door lebaron. I currently own a 1980 dodge Diplomat with t-tops bucket seats and 318 v 8 engine that is all original and in great shape.

[@LBS-qw8gf]

I had an 83 Diplomat with a Super 6 motor. For a rear wheel drive car with snow tires it would drive through deep snow no problem. They were a heavy car but nice to drive.

[@fennec13]

I didn't havd a Diplomat - but I did have one of its sisters in the Plymouth Gran Fury and my car a 1986 Chrysler 5th avenue - with the 318 V8 in it really had great torque and was a lot of fun for the fan of big sedans that I was in the early 90's, in my youth. LOL I miss that couch on wheels.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

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[@jasonschwartz2347]

Had a 85' Diplomat ex cop car back in high school. 318 with Rochester quadrajet and straightpiped exhaust. Friends and I would terrorize the neighborhood, shining the spotlight on people's houses at night. Wasn't very quick, but handled well. Built like a tank.Never a squeak or rattle. Only issues were when the dash caught fire, torque converter broke in half, and one of the wheels broke off the hub while driving. Great memories!

[@devonmask5192]

I remember The Dip didn't rot into iron filings in two years like the Volare/Aspen, it was moderately dependable (a HUGE win for Chrysler at that time) and had decent interior room and comfort for its size. I also recall a body that only felt vaguely connected to the frame when the road got twisty and the brakes were...approximate...at times.

[@Im_With_Stupid]

My father drove many Dodge Diplomat police cars, some marked and some unmarked. His favorite was a mid-80s gold one with no badging, just a red light bar on the top and a bunch of antennas. His favorite police car by far wasn't the Diplomat, though. It was a '69 Polara. He talked about that car at least once a month until the day he died.

[@WilSan-oj8ln]

My Father-In-Law had 1988 Chrysler that was a very comfortable cruiser and My Father had a 69 Polara Wagon) the 1st year of the Fuselage Styling) that was also my favorite car. Great Riding, Powerful (with the 383) and it could take a beating. Reliable, started even at -35 and easy to work on.

[@malcolmhamilton5200]

Owned over a dozen M-bodies, all Fifth Avenues except the 82' RWD NewYorker. Still have three. Used to drop 360s with Thermoquads and 727s into them. Had to put at least 8 1/4" axles in to live behind the 360s. Fifth Avenues with luxury wire hub caps blowing the doors off all kinds of stuff at lights, was my party trick through the 80s and 90s, when these were still new. Great fun and unbelievably comfortable to drive distances.

[@lisam4503]

I had a Diplomat SE. Super nice car and great highway cruiser. Pretty good fuel mileage also at 22 mpg on the highway. It was just about as nice as the fifth Avenue. The only major problem I had with it was the rear end was going out in it. Bad but not the end of the world. It gave me warning and I was even able to drive it back from New Hampshire to Florida. There it got another rear end. The little 318 was a great engine.

[@markcollins2666]

A friend of mine's mother owned an 89 Diplomat, and was generous in letting us borrow it. It was larger, roomier, and classier than the junkers we drove.

[@katedorn]

Haha the car featured at 1:44 and 8:20 is mine! Truly the best car ever built;)

[@christopherkraft1327]

My older sister bought a brand new Dodge Diplomat Salon in 1987. It was dark gray with a light gray interior. It had plenty of room inside for five people & was a good car. She kept it for several years!!! Thanks for sharing another fun video!!! 👍👍🙂

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jb6027]

The '70s 440 Plymouth Fury IIIs were my all time favorite. Never found out how fast they went because there wasn't enough straight road available and you'd catch up to the bad guy before you'd top out. I had an '88 Diplomat take home unmarked car for a few years. It was very nice and comfortable, but driving through bad neighborhoods you could screw up whatever the narcs were working on just by passing through. The new Dodge Hemi Chargers are really good, with much more zip than the previous Crown Vics. Many agencies are going to SUVs now.

[@paulbourgeois4491]

Had an 84 Diplomat when Milwaukee PD was using them in the late 80s... Used to get free Burger King and McDonald's in the drive thru! 🤣🤣🤣! It was so Cop looking, the kids at the restaurant windows never gave it a 2nd thought to give us "cops" free food!

[@ericbrule4465]

My dad had a 1979 Caravelle. I remember that car as a big living room, felt like was floating. He had the 318 and still remember that starter sound. Unfortunately it met it's demise when the brake lines burst. Fond memories of that car

[@MoparRob440]

I have an '89 police package Diplomat ex TN State Trooper car. It's reatored but painted white now and a 408 stroker, 727, 3.55 Sure Grip.

[@johnpatterson4272]

The Dodge Diplomat, the Dodge Aspen and the Chrysler Volare' were the workhorses of (mostly) urban police services in Canada in the late 70s and most of the 80s. A transition service vehicle between the the Ford LTD 2 in the 70s to the briefly used Plymouth Gran Fury in the 80s. All used beyond their shelf-life before I joined the police service. The Ford Crown Victoria became the vehicle of choice from around '89 to 2015. The Diplomat was a tough vehicle and many had a after-life as taxicabs. The Diplomat, the Aspen and the Volare' were sought after at the time as municipalities believed they were fuel efficient and more nimble than the land-yachts they replaced.

[@andregonsalvez9244]

Great show and review Boca ! I always liked the M bodies from Chrysler it always reminded me of my parents 76 Dodge Aspen sedan . The Diplomats were the new and improved F body Volares and Aspen .😊

[@robbrown6240]

Growing up my folks had a Chrysler New Yorker 5th Avenue with the Vinyl top, pillow seats and soft shag like carpet & the Pentastar hood ornament. Was a great car.

[@GeeEm1313]

My brst friend's dad had one of these in high school back in the late 90s and I always wondered why. It was ancient even in 1990!

[@DanT271]

As I was growing up in the 80s I noticed the Baltimore county police had an extensive fleet of Diplomats

[@banditta4life66]

I had an 81 LeBaron ret. Police car. Probably the fastest 318 car I have owned. Even though it was repainted tan it would put the fear of God in anyone who I'd get behind 😂. I only paid 225 bucks for it in 1992. But I ended up shelling the rear end and I got 250 out of it. The only difference in the Chrysler and the Dodge was the turn signals and headlights were flipped

[@LBS-qw8gf]

If you got one with a slant 6 with a big carb. They were called a super 6 motor. They were very reliable motor in the Diplomat.

[@Cha-y412]

I went on a NJ police department in 1984. Our department had a patrol fleet of approximately 25 Dodge Diplomats 318 V8 police packages. Bare bones crank windows no real options. I think they were cheap to buy. The AC didnt work in Summer and the heat rarely worked in Winter. Those cars did run 24 /7 or years, and were all approaching 250 k miles. I remembering a old Sergeant at roll call issuing me an older Dodge Diplomat for patrol and saying please dont drive over 35 mph because the front wheels are ready to fall off. The Department got rid of them by 1987 for Ford LTD police packages.

[@SavageScientist]

LOL my first car was a 78 diplomat i purchased it in 1999 and it lasted only 3 weeks before breaking down in front a funeral home in Gretna, LA. All my cars been cop cars even my current car. This car was special because it allowed me freedom and ability to get around without the need for a bus pass LOL .

[@sharkmanxbro7082]

Growing up in Kenosha, it really catches my ear hearing someone mention it in a video lol. Makes me feel like I live in a famous city.

[@levimevis5192]

Both of my grandfathers had a Dodge Diplomat that they drove at one point in time, my dad's father drove a tan 1985 Dodge Diplomat SE that he bought brand new and it had the Ziebart Undercoating treatment on it, because in Indiana where he lived we have rough winters and we use salt on the roads, which is hard on cars, my mom's dad drove a Baby Blue 1987 Dodge Diplomat SE for about a couple of years before he parked it because the carbreuter got messed up because he lived down a gravel road and the gravel road knocked the carbreuter out of whack, and he didn't have the time to fix it, between all of the cars he repaired for other customers (he was a semi-retired mechanic.) I just about got my grandfather's 1987 Dodge Diplomat as my first car but it sat too long before I got to it and the car had some rust spots that were too much to repair.

[@madmike2624]

you guys make the coolest videos!!

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Thanks Mike!!!

[@The1cdccop]

Ditch that Lean Burn system and that 318 will run forever.

[@rjl9707]

These Furys, Diplomas can really run with 318/360 heads & 727 Torqueflite auto. Lots of low end torque, unlike today.

[@njaneardude]

I think mine was an 84. Loved the radio search foot button.

[@commandertopgun]

What car, what a Classic, one of my all-time dream cars, Diplomat, Gran-Fury, or Chrysler version, I love these gorgeous sedans, they are on my bucket list for 2024, ( all things being equal ) lol, great entertaining & informative video on the Dodge Diplomat, thanks for sharing/posting.

[@JohnM1774]

I drove them when I was a cop and loved the car so much, I owned 2 of them (ex-police cars) as my personal vehicles. The comfort, air conditioning and handling made them the Best cars ever built.

[@moparguy37]

I owned a 79 LeBaron 318 that I got for $700 back in the day. Beautiful car

[@user-km3on3vm5g]

This brought back some memories. My first run in with the Diplomat was a ride in the back seat. It was 1988 in Point Pleasant West Virginia and I was a junior in high school. I was skipping school with a buddy and was caught by a town cop. Students saw me being taken out of the car and brought to the office. It was great!

[@bvcxz47]

I worked at a body shop when they were used as police cars .there was rarely a week that went by that we did not have one in the shop getting the front frame section replaced , the crossmember was a little low and the police were wrecking them all the time. that shop made good money on dodge diplomats.

[@larryinNH]

I bought one back in 1992. I believe it was an 85 , but can't remember. It lasted over 300k miles for me, and still actually ran after that. Couldnt beat it for Comfort , power and durability.

[@petere8175]

I loved the Opel Diplomat, never knew Dodge made one

[@nlpnt]

My neighbors had a '85 Diplomat and an '84 Civic hatchback. The husband drove to other towns a lot and would switch cars depending on where he was going - Civic for the rural 2-lanes in the mountains and Dip for the Interstate - when 12-year-old Car and Driver reader me asked whether that had anything to do with the cars' power and handling he said that no, it was the Dip's cop-car image - it was a drag on the 2-lanes because drivers ahead would slow right to the limit while on the highway they'd get out of the way.

[@calbob750]

I owned the 1979 Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country. Loaded included CB radio and wood trim. Big discounts as Chrysler was in the middle of the government bailout loan. Great car for vacations. Up to 24 mpg hiway with 318 V8.

[@tchasman]

I had a rear-drive Lebaron coupe with the Slant Six. Great car. Later got the front-drive version. Another great car. Now, I have a Charger.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Thanks for sharing!

[@scottleyva8656]

I had a 1980 Diplomat Medallion two door. It had every option you could get. It was a great car and drove very well!

[@charlesdiecastgarage]

You got me again!!! I love wagons and cop cars, 😂!!! Thank you for the awesome video, Brothers!!! When are y’all going live again???

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Hey Charles! Thanks for watching. We plan to go live soon. Take care!

[@weasel884]

I have grandmas version the 5th ave and the EPA ratings were no joke. Mine will get 26 if you set the cruise and let it do it’s thing. The 318 is so smooth and reliable but sitting at a screaming 130 hp you gotta plan a week ahead to pass somebody 😂

[@19chucki74]

I remember so well, my late uncle owned a 1977 Dodge Diplomat four door, and drove it and took good care of it, until it was totaled in a wreck in 1980; after that, he bought a 1974 Challenger from a family friend, and it was a good one. My other uncle did own a 1981 Diplomat Salon two door hardtop, and it was a beauty, white with a red landau top. These were the cars of my childhood here in the South.

[@truckertae9725]

Dodge Diplomat is one of my favorite police car I like the design of it only thing it was sadly underpowered making 115 or 160 horsepower

[@LBS-qw8gf]

I seen some Diplomats with alot more hp then that. Don't forget some guys had big block V8s in theirs. Some had 318s. But they were an easy motor to do up and boost hp.

[@truckertae9725]

@@LBS-qw8gf yea people souped them up I heard a story back in the 80s some police departments put racing spec motors in their cars to keep up with cars 10 years ago

[@benjaminbufordbubbablue8041]

I had a 79 red two door coupe. Had to replace the transmission when first bought. After a few trips on the highway, the master cylinder went out in that sloppy slant six. Sold it after that. Should've gotten the upgrade the mechanic offered to the 318 . Terrible drivetrain but it had a clean body.

[@drg5352]

I have the Dippy's later Chrysler sibling, the Fifth Avenue that I bought for a project. 225k miles, she cranked right up and drove home. When I moved to my current house, after a year of sitting, she cranked right up (with a jump) and drove the hour drive to my new home. Still looking for a Dippy cop car for the beefier rear end and springs, so when I rebuild the engine and put a little more power to it, she'll hold up better. Alternately, stuff a 5.9 Magnum in there. .

[@shabadoo24]

They were nice looking cars. Paired with a 318 or 360, pretty peppy

[@toklat1967]

Learned to drive in my Dad's 1983 "Medallion Edition" with a 318 with police upgrade. Loved that car

[@donaldhollums3278]

I know this film was more about the Dodge Diplomat, but I have a story about the Plymouth Grand Fury version. I worked at an auto parts store in Hollywood, Florida from the mid to late eighties and a mechanic who owned a shop not far from the store would frequently come in and buy the Elderbrock Performer dual-plane intake, the matching cam and lifter set, a Holley 650 4 bbl carb, and a set of exhaust headers. One day I asked him what he was doing with all that. He told me he was installing them on the Plymouth Gran Fury police cars the Seminole Indian Tribal Police used.

[@ZeteticPlato]

Who you gonna call Car Busters 🎶

[@unitedcity_mc4421]

😂😂😂

[@nightwolf883]

Someone in my town owns a 1985 Diplomat with the SE trim, it was a former sheriff car, and the vehicle still had some “patina” in the shape of the sheriff dept. decals and still has the push bumpers mounted. Creamy white exterior with burgundy interior

[@Doc1855]

My Stepdad was a California Highway Patrol officer and he and his partner were in a new Dodge Diplomat. The car had an exhaust leak in the passenger compartment. My stepdad had fallen asleep. His partner was driving and he too fell asleep while on a bridge. The car went off the bridge and down into the stream below. My Stepdad broke his back in 2 places and his partner died in the accident. My Stepdad was on disability for more than 20 years. He eventually returned to desk duty and finally was able to return to work for 5 years before mandatory retirement. He was a Great man and my sister and I loved him like he was blood. He went home last December (2022). He was 82 years old and had a lot of arthritis in his back. He suffered many years because of a Dodge Diplomate.

[@elfthreefiveseven1297]

I worked for a Chrysler owned rental car companies caproate offices. At the end of the production of these cars, the rental locations were given really low cost leases on these cars. So low that if the car broke down it was often cheaper to just park the car on the lot and turn it in at the end of the lease then repair and put it out for rental.

[@adamtrombino106]

I had an 80 Dippy sport coupe, with the 225. Oddly optioned, it had pw, but not locks, electric rear window defroster, but no a/c, and AM radio with 8 track and power antenna. White on red with 2 toned cloth, I ran it until it had 310k on it when it finally burned an exhaust valve, and I didn't want to take it apart to fix it. I changed the transmission fluid every 30k, and never had an issue with the 904. I changed the rear diff fluid twice in all that mileage, never had an issue with the wimpy 7 1/4. I did find out that it had the 2.94 gear in it. I did replace the carb after 2 rebuilds, because the linkage ate the throttle plate bushings, but in general, I got a solid 16 city and 27 highway at 65mph. Good riding and fairly good handling car. If I can find an untouched police car, I'll buy it!

[@shawnhuff3920]

A friend has a 1981 dodge diplomat with a 440 in it 😊

[@dkt1976dt]

My Uncles and Cousins drove Dodge Diplomats and Plymouth Gran Furys, me I drove the Chrysler 5th Avenues. I always loved the 318 and Torque Flite Automatic Transmissions, they were simple to fix and were a very durable and reliable power train.

[@bobhill3941]

Another fantastic video with interesting, informative history. I never heard of the Caravel, but I looked the name up and it's a small, fast, Spanish or portuguese sailing ship from the 15-17 Century. Back in 2010, I watched a Canadian TV show the littlest hobo and the show used alot of Plymouth Furys as police cars. I remember seeing alot of Diplomats in Law and Order. I always thought it would've been cool if someone made a Diplomat race car and called it diplomatic immunity!

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Thanks Bob!

[@bobhill3941]

@@ThisOldCarChannel You're welcome.

[@petertornabeni602]

We had a 79’ was a handsome car. Chrysler always imo made good looking cars. My brother TRASHED the car. Too bad because that car would have lasted - the slant six was excellent … thank you BOCA boys !!

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Thanks for watching Peter!

[@paulfrederick8902]

Drove several when I was with the C.H.P. Had a 318 with a 4bbl carb. You didn't need a clock to time them, you needed a calendar 😂

[@chrisgall8703]

I bought an ‘88 ex-State Patrol vehicle at the WI State Vehicle auction in Janesville, WI. It was loaded with all power options and 93K on the clock and ran like a watch. Still had the police ticket light on the ceiling and fog lights on the bumper….in the right light and angle you could see where the State Trooper lettering and stripes were on the side of it…traffic would part when they saw you behind them as it looked like and unmarked big time. I put 100K on it and sold it to a buddy and he put another 100K on it and sold it still running well…that 318 and HD Torqueflight we’re bulletproof!

[@bryantint1339]

Cool cars. I remember them.

[@hankwilliams-hx9ww]

I have wanted one of these since I was a kid but by the time I started driving they weren't really around anymore. I'm lucky if I see one every year or so now. 😔

[@andrewlore9736]

I love those cars.

[@gregreed1963]

I found the Diplomat to be a Dependable and well Engineered car , i have 2 of them an 1986 and 87 . My 87 i bought back in 2010 and has 228,000 on it . which I'm still driving to this day . She's getting old but not for me . I. Love this car .

[@patricklanigan]

I had the Canadian equivalent 1982 Plymouth Caravelle ex police un-marked car, powder blue exterior, dark blue cloth interior with the 318 4 barrel, 727 automatic, heavy duty cooling package, bigger brakes, wider wheels. Bought mine in 1990 during my last year of high school. I loved that car. My father had the 1989 with the two barrel carb, his was so much better on fuel than mine was.

[@patrickjerzak5267]

Had an 81 with Slant six 225, get up and go was typical slant six, handling was really a surprise, it was good for the period.

[@andreasu.3546]

"They're going, going fast!" - That's why we're advertising....because that makes sense.

[@OLDS98]

Thank you for another interesting video. Well put together. The footage and videos were excellent! I liked the information shared as well. I rode in a very late loaded late 1980's Diplomat. It was very close to a New Yorker Fifth Avenue in terms of features and luxury. I recall the Grand Fury and I must admit it was hard to tell the difference between Diplomat, Grand Fury and Fifth Avenue. I know Fifth Avenue started out as a trim package on New Yorker and LeBaron. These cars were all over television and films too. You keep the great videos coming every week. You know what I want to see eventually. Thank you so much.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Thanks OLDS98. Much love from the Boca Bros!

[@alexclement7221]

Back in the late 80's, I was driving cab and several independents had retired NY State Trooper Diplomats bought at auction. They were certainly tough, fast, and good-handling. I was helping a friend doing some engine maintenance once, and was looking under-hood at all the special things that police package included; Heavy-duty radiator, towing special automatic transmission with a transmission cooler, and even the tranny cooler lines made a loop around the power steering pump to keep that cool. Space was tight in the back (especially with a divider installed), and the ride was a bit hard. They all rusted fairly quickly (being a fleet car, they probably spent little on rustproofing..), and all the special parts on the police model became difficult to source in a few years. I don't think any of them lasted past the mid 90's....

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Great story. Thanks for sharing Alex.

[@nlpnt]

The Diplomat/Gran Fury/5th Avenue were the last carbureted cars Chrysler built, despite there being an EFI 318 for trucks by the late '80s.

[@79tazman]

I had a ex cop car it was a 1985 Plymouth Caravelle with a 318 and HD suspension it was a great car I still have the rims from the car and the engine too

[@joseluisherrera4669]

Lovely car , it reminds me about tv series Dallas and i don't know why , perhaps with its name association for the upcoming Dodge Dynasty . Warm compliments from Argentina for this great footage

[@theoneandonly6431]

I had an '87 Gran Fury and a '88 Diplomat in succession. Had very little trouble with the GF, nothing but trouble with the Diplomat.

[@michaelbrantley9868]

My mom had a coupe. I had a 4 door and station wagon only bad thing about mine was in the summer, the fuel with vapor lock

[@ronjohnson5070]

1987 I went with my dad to find my mom a new car. We went to the Dodge dealer first. I asked what transmission and the salesperson replied “727 three speed, we don’t need a fourth gear like GM” We took home a new Buick LeSabre to mom, much larger and way more comfortable for family trips

[@James-xo4uv]

I like the 1988 Diplomat SE with the cornering light s , didn't know Chrysler did that. My dad had an 1982 Dodge Diplomat with the slant six He found seats out of A 5th Ave., I found a passenger side remote mirror, low washer fluid indicator, dual speaker dash panel, power trunk release, it was great until the front crossmember rusted out. I would love to find an 1980 - '81 two door t tops Diplomat, put a 360 in.

[@christopherswayzee9834]

Sadly, the Diplomat lost the cornering lamps option sometime in the early 80s, I think. In fact, I think all of these cars (RWD LeBaron, Fifth Avenue, Diplomat, Gran Fury) lost the option around that time. There is an example in this video at 3:23 that shows where they were located when they were still offered as an option. They were located higher up, sort of an extension of the side marker lamps. The RWD LeBaron had a different side marker lamp than the Diplomat and Gran Fury ... and the LeBaron's optional cornering lamp would be an integrated unit in the same location as the side marker lamp on those LeBarons without the option. The red 1988 Diplomat for sale was customized a bit by a previous owner. The cornering lamps added came off of a late-70s to 1990 Oldsmobile fullsize RWD (98, Delta 88 and Custom Cruiser). Someone also added fiber optic lamp monitors (look closely at the tops of the front fenders). I remember seeing that ad and was excited to think that perhaps, there was a continued option ... until I realized what I was looking at. I cannot remember if that car had other things added to it by the previous owner. I feel like there might have been another thing or two, but am not sure. It's a beautiful car, nevertheless. I've added cornering lamps and fiber optic lamp monitors to several of my cars in the past and did so to my current 1984 Buick Electra Estate Wagon, which was not ordered with those options. I love both options and sourced NOS parts for my wagon so that it looks completely factory. I've also added the low washer fluid indicator, low fuel indicator, Twilight Sentinel (auto headlamps), dash-mounted clock, dome light with reading/map lights, rear window defroster and automatic dimming rearview mirror (with compass and garage door opener) to the wagon.

[@jnightingale1918]

The cornering lights on that Diplomat are from an Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser of that vintage. Chrysler didn't offer cornering lights on Diplomats (or any M-bodies) after 1981.

[@bcbc3762]

I got my license in the mid-80's, and these cars in the rearview were almost always police cars (like Crown Vics were until recently). However, my brothers best friend's family had a gray Diplomat SE. I didn't think much of these at the time, but I really like them now. Nobody did pillowy button-tufted velour seats like Chrysler did in the 80's. The Fifth Avenue interior was epic in burgundy or blue.

[@elizandrolopez6295]

My respect to all of you cuz i still own as my daily driver a Chrysler 5th Avenue which was the high trim level at the time. However i made some custom improvements on the 25 years is on my hands after my dad died who he broght brand new in 1990 as 1989 model. He paid $22,980 on a 5 year debt. And today is a 100% healthy runner 33 years later runs like a champ. But with some body minor rust what i'm taking care of it but.👌🏾👍🏾👍🏾. I really appreciate this video on my very underrated M,J body who was and still a true champion for my own experience and a true MoPar guy never miss it. Tons of blessess.🙏🏾👌🏾👍🏾💎!!!

[@kylebrown6951]

👍👍 Hey Guys another Great posting and the memories you guys bring back, Thank You... The Diplomat also had as good as or better interior as a "79 Coupe De Ville and I owned a De Ville meaning seat comfortness ... 🍻✌🖐

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@arthurhu2290]

Test drove a 1987 Gran Fury in 2012 it was in mint shape for $2500, but passed on it. I had a 1987 Acura Legend that had 150 hp, slightly smaller

[@mikeure1528]

i had an 87 model with a 318. i got it at 90K miles and kept it for 50K miles after that. base car but i really like it.

[@johnnyl321]

I wonder if the reason Mike Ehremantraut from Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul drove one was because he was a cop before he turned dirty.

[@walkingwolf8072]

I had one at the university, was very surprised at it's performance for 80's pollution limitations.

[@David-yy7lb]

It would be cool to have a sleeper diplomat with a supercharged 6.2 Hellaphant motor with the 8 speed transmission behind it

[@skittlecar1]

0:18. "My torsion bars hurt." -- Dodge Diplomat

[@Just1American1966]

I patrolled the mean streets in the 80s in Dips, Caps, and Vics. The Dip was the most practical in which to spend a shift. I found the Ford to have the smoothest ride, but the poorest fuel economy (sometimes requiring a refuel mid-shift) and the worst handling. I found the Chevy to be the fastest in acceleration and the best in handling, but the least comfortable to sit in and to have the quirkiest dash and interior layout. Everything just seemed to come together in the Dodge.

[@olikat8]

I have had several of the A38 & AHB versions; the '88 & '89's were the best. The front cradle was US-built, thus the collapsing shock tower issue disappeared. The alternator became the Nippondenso, 120-amp versions. Adding on the Walker 40430 Y-pipe, dumping the lean burn, and using the Edelbrock intake/carb combo really wakes them up while improving MPG. Also, get rid of the iso-clamp rubber garbage on the cradle & suspension- Firm Feel, Inc. has a bunch of pieces for this platform