DeSoto Diplomat (1946–1962)

Chrysler used the name Diplomat for the Desoto models that the American car manufacturer sold outside the US. The first ones intended for export DeSoto Diplomat was built in Detroit in 1937 and was based on a PlymouthTwo years later, Chrysler also began building such export models in Canada, and they were based on Plymouth or Dodge models.

Desoto Diplomat from 1950

History and background

In 1946, the export DeSoto became the DeSoto Diplomat. It was exported to Europe, South Africa, South America, Hawaii, and Australia.

The DeSoto Diplomat was essentially a Plymouth with a scaled-down DeSoto front end. Most examples were built in the United States, a small number in Canada, all destined for sale outside North America.

DeSotos were built in Canada to provide Dodge-DeSoto dealers with an upmarket offering on which no import duties had to be paid. A clever construction: the same Plymouth chassis, a DeSoto grille on top, and suddenly the car fell under a different tariff.

In 1955, Chrysler of Canada exported no cars, and all 1955 Diplomats came from Detroit — an exception to the regular Canadian export pattern that characterized the rest of Diplomat history.

Design and interior

From 1938 to 1956, the export DeSoto used Plymouth bodies with a grille that resembled the regular DeSoto but fit into the Plymouth grille opening. A visual trick that gave the Diplomat its DeSoto identity while the underbody remained entirely Plymouth.

From 1957 to 1959, the DeSoto Diplomat used the DeSoto Firesweep front end with a Plymouth body — the same badge-engineering logic that the Firesweep itself applied in the North American market, now carried over to the export model.

The 1960 and 1961 DeSoto Diplomats were based on the full-size Dodge Dart. The 1955 redesign introduced progressive features such as tail fins, with an increase in overall height to approximately 60 inches for greater presence without compromising the low-profile design.

Diplomat taxi

Model variants

Diplomat Special Deluxe (1946–1956) — Plymouth substructure:

The 1947 Diplomat Special Deluxe had a 217,8 cubic inch flathead inline six with 95 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque, mated to a three-speed manual transmission. Wheelbase approximately 118 inches — based on the Plymouth P15, P24, and later P25 series, with right-hand drive configurations for markets such as Australia and South Africa.

Diplomat Custom (1946–1956) — luxury version:

Slight widening of the wheelbase to 118,5 inches for some Custom variants, with a more luxurious finish than the Special Deluxe.

Diplomat Australian Ute (1956) — unique commercial variant:

A unique Australian ute variant — essentially a coupé-utility with an integrated cargo bed — was built only in 1956 on the Plymouth-based chassis to meet local agricultural needs.

Diplomat with Firesweep Front (1957–1959) — hybrid platform:

Transition to a hybrid setup with the Plymouth Plaza body combined with the DeSoto Firesweep front end, while retaining a 118-inch wheelbase to balance cost and styling distinction.

Diplomat at Dodge Dart Base (1960–1962) — last generation:

The final versions switched to the full-size Dodge Dart platform, also on a 118-inch wheelbase. Chrysler South Africa built a number of 1962 DeSoto Diplomats based on the Dodge Dart 440 sedan — after the official end of DeSoto in North America.

Diplomat with Perkins diesel engine (late 1950s) — European taxi market:

In the late 1950s, some European taxi drivers preferred a Perkins P4C diesel engine in the Diplomat; these diesel engines were installed on a Belgian assembly line.

Competitors

The Diplomat competed in the international export markets for American full-size sedans, particularly targeting right-hand drive markets and taxi applications. Direct competitors were:

• Vauxhall Velox / Cresta (British markets)
• Holden FX / FJ (Australia)
• Ford Customline / Fairlane export
• Opel Kapitän (European export)

Successor model

The Diplomat name was discontinued after 1962, bringing an end to sixteen years of export DeSotos based on ever-changing Plymouth and Dodge platforms. In Australia, the Chrysler Royal took over the role as successor. Sixteen years after the end of the Diplomat name, Chrysler would revive the Diplomat name for an M-platform Dodge — a completely different model with the same name but without any connection to the DeSoto heritage.