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My 1960 DeSoto Diplomat
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diplomat60
Posted 2010-07-05 8:08 AM (#231121)
Subject: My 1960 DeSoto Diplomat


25
Location: Australia
I'm in New South Wales , Australia.
I've had this car for nearly 7 years, bought it in 2003. Bought it as a painted shell and a bucket of bolts in Melbourne with no mechanicals as it had been hot rodded. I spent two years driving around Australia buying 1961 Dodge parts as 1960 Parts are almost impossible to get, but it was a mission impossible. In October 2006 I finally bought a rusty 1960 Aussie Phoenix and have transplanted many parts into the Diplomat. So many things that you thought would interchange in 60 to 61 dont. The front chassis which I needed after the diplomat's orginal had a Chev/Holden Coil spring graft, came from the 60 , after the 61 Chassis was not quite the same, missing the front bar for the bumperettes( but I'd sepnt $$$ doing it up). The prop / drive shaft in the 61's are also two inches longer. Maybe they moved the engines forward to make oil changes easier. The draglink is just to close to the oil sump plug on 60's. I used the 61 8 + 3/4 diff though. Rear Brake Drums have come off the 61 Diff , but the fronts are from a 60. Seats from another 60 Parts car the Hot rodder had. The poly 318 Engine that I'm now planning on using is maybe from a 1960 Royal. The one from Aussie Parts car leaks water into the sump after I spent $3k at an engine place. bas***ds at the Engine place told me to put Bars leaks in it after I'd carefully run it in after 3 months and drained the sump to find coolant in it. Not further assitance given , I will not go back to those guys.
Thr car was exported to Singapore , original two tone green. Was paited black for an Embassy duties I think. After 5 or six owners it was bought by a RAAF serviceman at Butterworth base in Penang Malaysia and in 1965 it was flown back to Adelaide in a Hercules transport. Was in Adelaide until it was bought by the Melbourne Hot Rodder in 1997.
I've had many cars and have had to sell them for many reasons. This one I've advertised at least 3 times but could not bring myself to sell it , especially since Guys/Dreamers buying unfinished projects dont understand.
Carry on regardless.



(diplomat60_1.jpg)



(diplomat60_2.jpg)



(diplomat60_3.jpg)



(diplomat60_4.jpg)



(diplomat60_5.jpg)



(diplomat60_6.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments diplomat60_1.jpg (180KB - 1108 downloads)
Attachments diplomat60_2.jpg (171KB - 1119 downloads)
Attachments diplomat60_3.jpg (198KB - 305 downloads)
Attachments diplomat60_4.jpg (192KB - 286 downloads)
Attachments diplomat60_5.jpg (149KB - 193 downloads)
Attachments diplomat60_6.jpg (166KB - 207 downloads)
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59CRL
Posted 2010-07-05 8:34 AM (#231123 - in reply to #231121)
Subject: RE: My 1960 DeSoto Diplomat



Expert

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Cool car and nice story too. I didnt know just between those 2 years most parts couldnt interchange.
The car looks great now. I wouldnt sell her after all the work you put into her.
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old mopar guy
Posted 2010-07-05 9:39 AM (#231131 - in reply to #231121)
Subject: Re: My 1960 DeSoto Diplomat



Expert

Posts: 1508
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Great looking car love the 57 side trim. Very Very nice and I'm sure its Super Rare! Best of Luck and HAPPY MOTORING! Victor..
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58 DESOTOS RULE
Posted 2010-07-05 10:17 AM (#231133 - in reply to #231121)
Subject: RE: My 1960 DeSoto Diplomat



Expert

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Location: The Bat Cave, Fairborn, OH
The 1957 style trim is probably why Chrysler could sell a 1960 Dodge Dart as a DeSoto. Nice save though as I'm pretty sure those cars are pretty rare now.
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njlimbaugh
Posted 2010-07-05 12:38 PM (#231146 - in reply to #231121)
Subject: Re: My 1960 DeSoto Diplomat


Extreme Veteran

Posts: 421
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Location: N. Georgia
Congratulations on doing a really difficult project! What was that Johny Cash song? One piece at a time, I think. "It was a 49, 50, 51, 52 . . . .
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Fins/413
Posted 2010-07-05 4:19 PM (#231169 - in reply to #231146)
Subject: Re: My 1960 DeSoto Diplomat


Extreme Veteran

Posts: 530
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Location: Wake Forest, NC
Hot dog a 4 door hardtop, very nice.
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d500neil
Posted 2010-07-05 5:48 PM (#231186 - in reply to #231169)
Subject: Re: My 1960 DeSoto Diplomat



Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

Posts: 19146
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Location: bishop, ca
Your car's history almost sounds like the Story Line from "The Yellow Rolls Royce" !

Let's see; it's a 60 Dart body, badged as a DeSoto Diplomat (how fitting!), with a 61 PLY dash panel and with
1957 DeSoto side trim on it, and a 1960 Polara steering wheel.

Anybody recognize the wheelcovers-type on it ?






Edited by d500neil 2010-07-05 5:50 PM
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58 DESOTOS RULE
Posted 2010-07-06 7:50 PM (#231367 - in reply to #231186)
Subject: Re: My 1960 DeSoto Diplomat



Expert

Posts: 2308
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Location: The Bat Cave, Fairborn, OH

d500neil - 2010-07-05 4:48 PM Your car's history almost sounds like the Story Line from "The Yellow Rolls Royce" ! Let's see; it's a 60 Dart body, badged as a DeSoto Diplomat (how fitting!), with a 61 PLY dash panel and with 1957 DeSoto side trim on it, and a 1960 Polara steering wheel. Anybody recognize the wheelcovers-type on it ?

Actually I think I remember seeing this style of wheel cover before. The U.S. Plymouth Valiant had a wheel cover similar to this in 1973-74. The cover was stamped with the word "Plymouth".

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59CRL
Posted 2010-08-16 7:08 PM (#237137 - in reply to #231186)
Subject: Re: My 1960 DeSoto Diplomat



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d500neil - 2010-07-05 5:48 PM

Your car's history almost sounds like the Story Line from "The Yellow Rolls Royce" !

Let's see; it's a 60 Dart body, badged as a DeSoto Diplomat (how fitting!), with a 61 PLY dash panel and with
1957 DeSoto side trim on it, and a 1960 Polara steering wheel.

Anybody recognize the wheelcovers-type on it ?






They say Biscayne LOL!!!!!!!!
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diplomat60
Posted 2010-07-06 3:35 AM (#231249 - in reply to #231121)
Subject: Re: My 1960 DeSoto Diplomat


25
Location: Australia
I think they said Plymouth on them but they were not on the car when I bought it.
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EricDownunder
Posted 2010-08-11 1:03 AM (#236444 - in reply to #231121)
Subject: RE: My 1960 DeSoto Diplomat


Veteran

Posts: 107
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Location: Australia
Hey Wayne howyagoin mate? The old girl is looking great. Sorry Iv'e been out of touch but I got a little crook for a bit but all is well now, just starting to get back into the swing of things. Keep up the good work.
Keep smiling. Eric
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imopar380
Posted 2010-08-16 5:38 PM (#237120 - in reply to #231121)
Subject: Re: My 1960 DeSoto Diplomat



Expert 5K+

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Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada
Nice car, the sky high rear window makes it great!
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