Location: Durban, Natal, South Africa
Body Style: 4 door sedan
Vehicle Condition: Currently Being Restored
Exterior Color: light blue and white
Exterior Features: n/a
Interior Color: blue
Interior Features: shot
Engine Specs: 318ci, single pipe exhaust
Drivetrain Specs: 3 speed manual transmission, column shifter
Chassis Specs: 15 inch rims
Vehicle Weight: n/a
Amount Driven: Currently Being Restored
Vehicle History:
I bought this car about three years ago from a remote rural area in the Natal Midlands.It had been standing in the same spot since the early 70's after the original flathead six engine had been blown up,stripped and all the parts lost.I was actually looking for a '58 Plymouth, but this was the closest I could get and as opportunities to buy cars of this type(in any condition) are rare here, I decided to take it.
Besides the engine, the car was reasonably complete with only a few pieces of trim missing. The body is fairly sound although it needs quite a lot of work including replacing the rockers and the sides of the floorpan.
I was then lucky enough to find a badly rusted '61 Plymouth Belvedere with 318 V8,manual transmission and power brakes which donated all its mechanicals to the Diplomat.
The car now runs and drives, but the engine has stuck rings and blows out clouds of oil smoke(rather like Christine) so I'll have to look at doing a rebuild. The brakes have recently been redone with sleeved cylinders,new pipework and linings.
I hope to make a start on the body repairs quite soon.
