Opel Diplomat V8

Wednesday 12 June 2013
The Opel Diplomat is a Luxury car manufactured by Opel. 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. Essentially the three were badge-engineered versions of the same new vehicle.
In February 1964 Opel introduced a new range of flagship models as successors to the Opel Kapitän P-LV of 1959/1963. At launch these KAD models (Opel Kapitän, Admiral and Diplomat; also referred to as "The Big Three" by Opel) were available with 2.6 litre or 2.8 litre, in-line six-cylinder petrol engines (100 or 125 PS/99 or 123 hp), or a V8-Chevrolet small-block engine 283 (4.6 litre) teamed with a two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission (190 PS/187 hp). The latter engine was supplanted in the saloon by the V8-Chevrolet small-block Type 327 (5.4 litre) in October 1966 (230 PS/227 hp). As the company's range-topping model, the Diplomat was available only with the V-8.
A Diplomat Coupé (with the 327 engine only) was also available, from 1965 to 1967, in limited numbers. The coupé was built by coachbuilder Karmann and cost DM 25,000 (or as much as 7 Volkswagen Beetles). 347 Coupés were built.
In September 1967 the Diplomat (along with its less expensive siblings) received a work-over consisting of rub strips on its flanks, new recirculating ball steering by ZF and heated rear window. At the same time a HL (Hochleistung or high performance) version of the 2.8 liter six became available (140 PS/138 hp) for the Kapitän and Admiral models.
These cars were even larger than their predecessors (stretching to almost 200 inches) and found little favour with the European public. Between February 1964 and November 1968 Opel built 89,277 KAD models (24,249 Kapitäns, 55,876 Admirals and 9,152 Diplomats), whereas its direct predecessor, the Kapitän P-LV, had registered 145.618 sales over a comparable four-year span.



Technical data:
- engine: V8
- capacity: 5400 cc
- horsepower: 227 HP
- gearbox: 2+1
- top speed: 185 km/h