(first posted 11/12/2016) Alberto Simon has been posting all sorts of exotic South American finds at the Cohort; I wonder if he’ll consider posting them directly at CC? This on is a 1988 Chevrolet Diplomata, which is sort of the Caprice counterpart to the Chevrolet Opala, a mainstay in Brazil for several decades. Under that longish hood resides a 250 Chevy six.
The origins of the Opala go back to the Opel Rekord C. Rubens did a splendid history of the Opala here, including its racing successes and it successors.
I like it .
-Nate
Waaaa? I’ve had 6 SAABS, that doesn’t look like any SAAB greenhouse I’ve ever seen.
Looks as if it was designed by Saab judging by that greenhouse.
Throwing a little more Opel at us as we discuss “what might have been” regarding GM North America.
I also long for the the “could have, should have” that these cars represent. This would have made for a great Chevy in the U.S. in the seventies (by 1988 it was clearly way past its prime…).
The 1975 Nova, 1977 B-body, and 1978 A-body Chevys were better cars than this. The Citation also was a better design, but badly executed.
This probably would’ve slotted between the Vega and Nova in size.
I was thinking more of the early 1970s (the Opala was introduced for 1969). Would have been a good alternate to the smaller Japanese cars for customers who didn’t want a Vega and thought a Nova was too large.
Four-door sedan and four-door wagon (not made in Brazil but Opel in Germany made one) only, alongside the Vega two-door sedan and hatchback coupe.
my father was the proud owner of two Opalas in the early 70’s and was of the same opinion as you are, he swore GM didn’t launch it in the US market because the cartel regulators would not tolerate the introduction of an automobile that would take around 70% of the market – as a pre-teenager at the time I scoffed at the notion but now, reading your comment and others, I can see that he had a point.
Interesting update of the Sixties original in the same manner as the Morris Marina to Ital update. Strange that the head and tail lights look more like they’re from a Simca 1308/Chrysler Alpine and from the front it almost looks like a late Ford Cortina.
The Opel Rekord C’s offshoot Chevrolet Opala had a timespan not unlike that of Volvo’s 140/240 series (1969-1982 for Opala, Volvo 2 years longer) with very similar add-ons and design mutations (rear and headlights, grille etc..) to keep the basic mid-60’s design somewhat refreshed for over 20 years without any reskinning or body panel changes, not counting many mechanical improvements; the Rekord D appeared already in 1972.
Here’s an overview
The doors – the one part that didn’t change – are designed to go with the Coke-bottle curves of the 1969 original.
To my eyes, they had ceased to work with the redesign in the middle, and by the time you get to the bottom, they just look downright bizarre on that body.
Wonder how this looks in a wagon.
Chevrolet Caravan Diplomata
1969-1992
Some similar style to the later Hillman/Talbot Avenger, which dated from the same time as the Rekord C.
That’s right! The two door was sold in Brazil as Dodge, but the 4 door really resembles the Opala, specially the Opala with vinyl cover.
Agreed on the ’73ish Cortina resemblance! My first thought upon seeing the first photo.
Another example of how a S. Hemisphere division synthesized the best bits from Europe & Detroit.
I like it but it would be a lot nicer without all that black body cladding – ugh!
That profusion of plastic was controversial ever since it’s debut, the cheaper version Commodore used to be more balanced until 91, when GMB put that on both versions.
Wow. Now *that* is a looker! The sweeping pillar and long deck work well with the modern flush full-width tails, and those alloys are spot-on also.
Good looking car. It’s a shame it was never sold here in the USA. I find it more attractive than anything sold by Chevrolet at the time.
has a bit of austin marina in it.
This.
+1.
Morris Ital…
Good looking car, and it’s interesting to look at it and think of the various cars that it resembles.
By looking at the pictures (and being generally unfamiliar with South American cars), I never would have guessed it’s a 1988 model, and I was surprised to learn in Rubens’ article that the Diplomata was produced clear through 1992.
Looks to be Holden Torana/Opel Ascona size just more rear overhang, good looking car though.
It has the same size of the Holden Commodore and Vauxhall Ventora.
If you took this car to a Fiat garage for repairs they might ask, “Whatsamatter, with your Diplomata?” Sorry.
I find my interests drawn to the South American market, more and more, as I learn more about it. Between Argentina, Brazil and the local independents around the continent, there is a whole ‘nother world of cars built there. Mid-1960s Ramblers were built in Argentina under license to Kaiser until the mid-1980s; Brazil alone has a dozen domestic-made foreign marques made locally, between VW, Ford, Porsche, Opel, and others.
That market is vibrant and thriving. Check out this one 1982 Kaiser Torino, otherwise known as and recognized as a 1964 Rambler American…updated…the design still is contemporary, almost 20 years after Dick Teague put it onto his drawing board ~
Yes, I see some Dodge (Hillman) Avenger, Morris Ital and even 1988 Mazda 929 in this design. The color is particularly reminiscent of the Morris and Mazda – the estate shown above looks more finished.
Also reminiscent of how the final GAZ-31105 Volgas up to 2010 still used the doors and roofline of the GAZ-24 Volga which debuted back in 1970! Though this car looks perhaps more coherent than did those final Volgas…
this is a 87 or 86. the 88 is a bit different as the Opala had a major facelift this year including new suspension, trapezoidal headlights etc
The only Brazilian-built car I can think of that was ever sold in the US was the VW Fox. Was there another?
Yes I think you’re right
Unless the photographer said it’s a 6, this car can be either a 250 CID 6 Cyl or a 151 CID 4 cyl (yes….more or less the same engine lineup than a late 60s Chevy Nova). The automatic could be had with both engines. The Opel Rekord C was widely sold in Uruguay, and the Opala was a common sight because of Brazilian tourists. I guess that a German would be very curious about the car. In the early versions, because it would be a little bit different. In the later ones, it would be just weird for them. It’s a grear car, my Dad almost got one almost new in 1975. It was a standard Opala sedan, in navy blue, 151 CID, and three on the tree. It was 1977, and the asking price was USD 11K at the then current exchange rate. He went out and got a brand new Chevette for 9K…..not good for me riding in the backseat.
I could see this car badged as an Isuzu, with one of Isuzu’s excellent diesel engines in it.
A HUGE Morris Ital
The green house, roof and door design are exactly the same as in the original Opel Rekord C