Classic Car: Opel Diplomat B V8

Classic Car: Opel Diplomat B V8

Posted on 19-03-2016 to 18:00 by larssb – 19 Comments”

Opel Diplomat B
This Straßenkreuzer mit Riesenmotor had some Rüsselsheim is one of the Big Three should be in the highest class: the Opel Diplomat B V8.

Now made the Diplomat indeed part of the big three, they the of Opel’s own KAD series. With largely the same car bodies were namely, the Kapitän, Admiral and Diplomat as Opel’s battleships at the top of the price lists. With six – or achtcilinders under the long bonnets entered the brand reluctantly the stage in the segment that was dominated by Mercedes-Benz, in its shadow a new BMW.

Opel’s top model from this second, in 1969, released generation was intended as a competitor of Mercedes’ S-class and models of BMW when the 3.0 Si, and 3.f3L. Its predecessor, in 1964, introduced Diplomat A, that was not successful, and also this Diplomat B had one big disadvantage: it was an Opel. That jan-with-the-pet-DNA held the Rüsselsheimers then persistent from the winner’s podium, until the day of today.

His image was so modest, his propulsion was not. This Diplomat V8-crossed sovereign city and the surrounding area with a not sick 5.4 liter V8 concerngenoot Chevrolet in the cabin. That’s almost five ordinary Kadettjes. As the successor of the 4.6 liter variant of generation A this resulted in dark brown sounding unit 230 HORSEPOWER at the rear wheels, combined with a, also all american auto driebak. It fitted in totally with the character of this large and rather amerikanische Schlitten.

With just about five by two feet were also to its size to the requirements for a sled. Yet, he was slightly more modest design than its predecessor and of generation of A. For the real Murcia fans, notorious achterbankbewoners or People who never have enough Opel on their driveway could have enabled an even longer L version to order. Huge lot of luxury per linear meter and the normal version was anything but frugal run. From the inside adjustable mirrors, electric windows, electric and lighting in the footwell were no obvious options in his time. In addition was the interior, especially for an Opel, very luxurious performed. A RococOpel: velour upholstery, thick carpet and real wood gave the Diplomat V8 altdeutsche Wohnzimmergemütlichkeit.

Also in the technical field was anything but forced. Four ventilated disc brakes, a De Dion rear axle construction and the previously mentioned V8 were key features of the giants-Opel suitable made for the Oberklasse. Competitor Mercedes-Benz came in 1971 with a achtcilinder W108 S-class in this segment. And who had no recessed windshield wipers, a vinyl top, or standard fog under the vertical headlights. This distinguished Diplomat, by the way, also of the Kapitän and Admiral, that the horizontal units in the front. What remained was the clearly American styling, although a lot more European, more sober and more compact than generation A. But it was a respect enforcing Limousine, Opel’s thickest of that time.

A great success, however, would be not be. The Kapitän and Admiral disappeared already quietly from the scene, and in 1977, fell finally to the canvas for the Diplomat, not even a 20.000 sold copies of Opel’s share in the eredivisie. The Senator, who that year had published was of a different order, and could stick in the highest class do not inherit from the thick Diplomat. Which is now more popular than ever: the time that you for a mere song such a wonderful overgemotoriseerde, but heavily underrated Rüsselsheimer on the head tapped are already a while behind us. For years everybody was there with a big bow around it, now is there feverishly searched for a perfect copy and has the lover there without hesitation just € 30.000,- for down. That’s more than five immaculate Kadettjes. But that don’t sound like a Corvette.

Gallery: Opel Diplomat B

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