The Opel Diplomat is a luxury car manufactured by Opel from 1964 to 1977. Opel's top-ranging models were traditionally the Admiral and Kapitän, introduced in 1938 and 1937 respectively.
In 1964, these models were joined, in the so-called "KAD" (Kapitän, Admiral, Diplomat) range, by the new Opel Diplomat. In most respects the three were badge-engineered versions of the same vehicle.
Diplomat B (1969–1977)
In March 1969, Opel introduced a new line of KAD models with new bodies and a more sophisticated chassis with a De Dion tube rear axle. These cars were slightly smaller than their predecessors. While the lesser models (Opel Kapitän and Admiral) were also available with a carburetted 2.8 l-inline six, the Diplomat could be had with either a fuel-injected version of this engine (Diplomat E) or with Chevrolet´s 327-V8 (Diplomat V8), now coupled to a 3-speed Turbo-Hydramatic.
The new body was a typical General Motors style and bore a strong resemblance to the contemporary Holden Brougham from GM Australia.
The Diplomat V-8 was hoped to compete with Mercedes' new 350 and 450 SE; from May 1973 Opel even offered a long-wheelbase version of the V-8 to keep up with Mercedes' SEL models. In October 1971 the Diplomat's list of standard features included H1 halogen headlamps, radio antenna integrated into the windscreen and remote-controlled rear view mirror. From January 1972 the 4-speed manual gear box was no longer offered on the Diplomat E. September 1972 saw the introduction of a modified grille with OPEL script relocated from its left side to its central portion. A number of the 'lesser' Admiral cars had their car boot lid fitted with Diplomat lettering/badges. This led to some confusion by today's car buyers, even in the TV series Der letzte Bulle (German), but the cars are easily identified by their vertical headlights for the Diplomat versus horizontal ones for the Admiral.
Opel continued the production until 1977 but found little success in the market: only 61,559 KAD cars were built from March 1969 to late 1977 (of which 4,976 Kapitäne, about 33,000 Admiräle and about 23,500 Diplomaten). They were superseded in 1978 by the new Opel Senator of a somewhat reduced size and more modern, European styling.
In the early 1970s, GM considered the use of Opel Diplomat as the basis of forthcoming first generation Cadillac Seville. However, the precise panel gap tolerance found in Diplomat was beyond what the GM North American manufacturing plants could do without the extensive and expensive change to the sheetmetal stamping and welding process.
The Diplomat V8 furnished the technical base for the Bitter CD, a limited-production GT. The production of the handbuilt German car, was using the foolproof chassis, drivetrain, mechanicals and even the dashboard of an Opel Diplomat. The whole Ferrari looks with Opel inerts enterprise for Bitter, came to an end in the early eighties, when the Opel Diplomat chassis was no longer available to buy from Opel.
Source: Wikipedia
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