December 1, 1998
Ian McDonald (iantash@netinc.ca)
I just picked up a 1982 Caravelle Salon. Car is in pretty ok shape, considering the years of Canadian winters. It has a Super Six, and once it warms up, it might actually climb a small incline. The odometer says 82,000, but I think there's a 3 in front. But, the best thing is, I got the car and a set of extra tires for less cash than one payment on my '96 neon.
November 3, 1998
Rick Manna (MannaRSRA@worldnet.att.net)
I have an 86 Diplomat police package that is STILL involved in emergency service!! My job is a New York State Youth Officer, and I commute 100 miles a day. It has 152,000 miles. The Dip is my commuter / winter car. I'm also a firefighter for the East Fishkill Fire District and this is how she's used for emergency service. She was originally bought at Albany Dodge in Albany, NY and put into service on May 6, 1986 with the Rye Brook,NY PD. She's a dark gray unmarked with a blue interior. She has all the police toys still hooked up, which I use responding to fire calls. I love commuting with the ol' Dip - just do 10mph over the speed limit in the left lane and EVERYBODY - I mean EVERYBODY!- moves out of your way! There has been many times when NYSP Troopers have even waved!!!
October 14, 1998
Gerard Pawlowski
1979 Diplomat 2-door
It was originally cream-colored with a vinyl roof. When I did the body work, I painted the car red below the top of the fenders, with Rustoleum and a really great brush. It worked fairly well; not too many brush marks, and the shine is good. It has 87000 miles, a 318 V-8 with two-barrel carburetor, and the broken left turn signal lens has been replaced with one made from sheet metal and two 3" red lenses from the auto parts store. The Polish crowned eagle is painted between the lenses.
September 15, 1998
Adam Chandler (achandle@olivet.edu)
1978 318 four-door with 150,000 miles.
The other is an '88 Diplomat police edition with 727 trans. Both are royalblue, the 78 has blue crushed velvet interior, while the 88 has the normal grey vinyl interior. Both cars have the normal rust spots although we are working on getting that fixed.
August 24, 1998
Victor Dumeng (vdumeng@hotmail.com)
192,045 miles
I have had this car since Sept. of 95. I would have to say it is the toughest one I've ever driven. Since then, I have overhauled it's 318 2v. I cleaned out the engine compartment, painted the engine chrysler blue, installed warmed over heads with a 3-angle valve job, a Summit Racing Performance Chain w/4 degree advanced timing, a sealed Power Camshaft w/lifters, a MP Electronic ignition (previous owner had a points ignition in it!), and a complete new exhaust with a free flow cat. and Dynomax Super Turbo muffler. I also recently converted to r134a. To think I paid $200 bucks 2 years ago for an R12 recharge! It now cost me a whopping $35! I also do all the work myself. In total, I must have spent about $400 for the above mods. When I first bought it, it barely did 70mph. It now reaches over 100mph! And that was going uphill! I had to let off the gas so that I didn't mess up the Speedo! I am extremely happy with this car. It gets pretty good mileage (better than some of todays SUVs)! On average, 23mpg for highway/local. On a long trip, I managed 25mpg. All this just for switching over to the MP Electronic ignition. But alas, just last week, the tranny started going. I am having a rebuilt one put in this week. That's why I was looking and found your sight! Do you have any other folks with my model? I have seen a handful around me but no where near the condition mine is. There are a few rust spots that I need to take care of, but it is a solid car.
August 23, 1998
Mark Cheney (Chenester1@aol.com)
1984 Dodge Diplomat
My diplomat has a 318V8 with 122,000 miles. This car is by far the most reliable car I have ever owned! I drive many miles everyday and the car never skips a beat. I'm a Dodge loyal owner for life.
August 7, 1998
Phil Johnson (fulloblues@hotmail.com)
Dayton Ohio
1983 Dodge Diplomat Salon sedan -A38 Police package with 318-4, 727(non-lockup), unknown gear in a Sure-Grip, extra leaves per rear spring, overkill 11" brakes, full vinyl interior in dark blue with black rubber carpets, a hideous steel gray paint job over original Navy blue and white (doors and roof), a missing set of original 6-hole Rallyes, and 218,006 miles as of this writing (more and more every day).
