Comments on: How’s Your Aspen? 1977-89 Dodge Diplomat

By: shiloh1

shiloh1 — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 21:28:40 +0000

Andrew, I had a 1989 Dodge Diplomat SE. The SE model came with the waterfall grill, wire hubcaps, wide whitewall tires, vinyl top over the back part of roof, pentastar hood ornament, pentastar truck key cover – just like a Fifth Avenue, but a little cheaper. I believe all of these were upgrades over the regular Dip and Ply Fury, which had the egg-crate grill and none of the above. Since it was the end of the last year they made them, maybe it was just a way to get rid of the extra parts at the factory in Kenosha. Dip was the most comfortable car I ever drove, velour seats were like a big couch. Got a pretty rare color, Black Cherry – loved it. I bought it when I was 29 years old! – I think all of the salesmen in the dealership were stunned – they were trying to sell me some FWD convertible. Dip was my second car. My first was a used 1973 Polara, 360 ci. Dip lasted about 180K miles, then gave it to a relative in 2001 who gave up on trying to mess with carb to pass emissions test. Not a gearhead, just an oil-changer.

By: gorney

gorney — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 05:59:05 +0000

Thanks for writing about the M-body. A few comments:

Regarding Dips having “90% of the ‘68 Polara driving experience with at least 50% better fuel economy and parkability,” what engine came with the ’68 Polara? Because if it was the 440, then there’s no comparison.

Non-motor parts -are- a problem. Try finding taillights, trim, speedometers, EGR sensors, HVAC sliding resistor controls and numerous other things.

I agree that the M-body is a state of mind, and I am out of mine. I can send you a jpg of my ’88 AHB Dip (ex-Oakland, CA PD) a few days after it was painted.

Cheers

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 00:32:34 +0000

Yep, you’re correct. I meant to label it as such but I replaced the picture without changing the caption. Good eyes. I’d love to post a Dippy shot, but finding a good picture of a Diplomat online is damn near impossible. Anyone got a good glam shot they’d donate to the cause?

By: xaocoh

xaocoh — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 22:32:59 +0000

Not to be a jerk, but the maroon car at the top of this posting is a New Yorker Fifth Avenue. You can tell by the classic “waterfall” grille, the wire-wheel hubcaps and whitewall combination, and the padded vinyl roof.

Great post otherwise. The old M-bodies were some of the last of the great Yank tanks. Its amazing how many you still see on the road today.