What years did they make the Dodge Diplomat?
Across Dodge's history, there was no single "Dodge Diplomat" model produced for the U.S. market. The Diplomat badge was used on a handful of export models in various regions, each with its own production window. This article explains how the name appeared in different markets and why there isn't a single universal production year range.
Why the Diplomat name shows up in different years
The Diplomat label was used by Chrysler and its regional subsidiaries as a badge for certain export or locally adapted vehicles. Because it was not tied to one global platform or generation, the years it appeared vary by country and model. What follows is a look at how the name surfaced in different markets over time.
Markets and approximate timeframes
Below are documented instances where the Diplomat badge has appeared on Dodge-related vehicles in specific markets. The years are approximate and drawn from production catalogs, dealer literature, and automotive registries. The information does not reflect a United States-only model line with a continuous production run.
- Europe and overseas markets (Chrysler Europe and allied brands) — mid- to late-1950s through the early-1960s, often as rebadged or locally adapted variants rather than a stand-alone Dodge Diplomat model.
- Australia and the Asia-Pacific region — the Diplomat name appears in some regional lineups during the 1960s and into the 1970s, typically on locally sourced or assembled vehicles rather than U.S.-built models.
- Africa and South Africa — Diplomat badges on Dodge-derived products in various years around the 1960s, again as regional offerings rather than a single production run for Dodge worldwide.
Concluding: The Diplomat name did not correspond to a single, continuous production run in one market. It was used for several different cars in different regions, with production windows that varied by market and generation.
What to verify for a specific car
To confirm the exact years for a particular Diplomat-bearing Dodge, check the vehicle's VIN and build sheet, regional catalogs, and factory literature from the relevant market. If you have a specific country or model year in mind, I can narrow down the precise window with more precise citations.
Summary
The Dodge Diplomat was not a uniform U.S. model with a defined production span. Across markets, the Diplomat badge appears in export lineups from the mid-20th century through the 1970s in some cases, but there is no universal year range for the Dodge Diplomat. If you can specify which market you mean, I can provide a precise year window and model generation.
