The Chrysler Corporation, a part of the Dodge brand, produced the Diplomat during the 1970s and 1980s. The Diplomat was virtually the same vehicle as the
Chrysler LeBaron. The Diplomat was produced from 1977 until 1989, though the name had been used for a few years in the early 50s for a hard top body style in the
Dodge lineup. The Diplomat was sold as the
Dodge Dart in Mexico and the
Coronet in Colombia.
The Diplomat was built on the M-body platform and it had a wheelbase and doors that were identical to the Dodge Aspen. The Diplomat was offered in both coupe and station wagon variants which enabled the Diplomat to appeal to a wide consumer base as it offered the compact cars that some were looking for while offering the space that many families were looking for.
A 225 inch six cylinder engine with an optional 318-inch V8 engine powered the Diplomat. After 1984 the Diplomat was only offered with the larger V8 engine and was also widely used as a police vehicle. Through the 80s the Diplomat became less and less common in the private sector because consumers were looking for something more modern and there was an honest lack of marketing because sales to police departments and fleets were good. In 1988 the Dodge Dynasty officially replaced the Diplomat.
