Okay, let’s have a show of hands. How many of you have seen (or heard of, for that matter) an Opala Diplomata? It was a Brazilian-built Chevrolet luxury automobile that was in production in one form or another in the 1970s and 1980s. This nice example from 1985 somehow got imported to the U.S. and can be found in Chantilly, Virginia. An interesting novelty, this Chevy is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $19,990. Our thanks to Mitchell G. for this very interesting find!
The Opala’s name may have come from the precious stone, the opal, but that’s not known for certain. General Motors do Brasil derived the Opala from cars built in Germany by Opel. They employed styling cues indicative of the home market but borrowed mechanical bits from the North American parts bin. The high-end Diplomata rounded out a variety of Opala nameplates and body styles. Unlike American counterparts, these cars relied on six-cylinder engines for propulsion instead of V8s. In the case of the seller’s car, a 250 cubic inch I-6 was employed but painted yellow instead of red as in the U.S.
We don’t know the history of the seller’s car or how it got to the U.S. as the Opala was never sold here. For its 38 years, it looks rather nice, and the seller claims it has been driven just 1,500 miles. That sounds strange, but possible unless the odometer has turned over. We assume the car runs well, but you may be limited to using just Ethanol-free gasoline (by design or preference?).
This stately auto has stood the test of time with a solid body, paint, and interior. We wonder how difficult finding parts will be except on the mechanical side where they may be interchangeable with those available from your local Chevrolet dealer. If you’re looking for a vehicle that literally no one else will have in your circle of finds, this would be it.
“See Brazilia in your Opala…”
Nice to have another Daily Turismo reader on this site Michell G..
Frankly, I’ve seen that go both ways between the two sites over the years
The car runs on E-85 Ethanol, per ad. This makes sense, as Brazil is one of the largest producers of Ethanol. Many farmers will travel to the Midwest farm shows to see new equipment and innovations. Not too many new American cars there, as the import tax is very high.
In 2007, a friend ordered a kit from Brazil so he could run E85 in his Buick 3800 V6. The check engine light was always on and multiple codes were stored in the computer. I believe the fuel injectors were subject to ‘premature corrosion’
There is something Saab at the back.
Nice and original car.
Interesting. Kinda mid-80’s Mercedes-esque with an American twist styling. Never seen one of these before, so for that, pretty cool. I’d be willing to wager that you’ll never pull up to a stop light next to another one. Learned about something new today. Thanks.
Chances are it was probably imported after its 25th birthday.
Still,a very interesting find.
My Dad had an Opel Commodore he bought new in 1960 (in Zurich). I have never heard of this one, though. The shifter looks like the same one with the finger-grip detent release under the T-handle.
Very nice, though!
The Brazilian Opala was inspired by German Opel Rekord 1960 and was launched in 1969 in Brazil with a different design from the European Car. My Dad just drove a 1976 Opala Coupé 2 doors from the 1990’s until 2014 in São Paulo, Brazil.It was a amazing car for years and served our family very well.
It is possibly very little used. Very preserved and very original.
It was also offered with a 4-speed mechanical transmission.
Apparently only the radio and speakers in the front doors are not original.
Interesting that he is in the USA.
Here in Brazil, the Opala line (Opala, Comodoro, Caravan and Diplomata) was a success from public use, police, etc. to automotive competitions.
Nice car!!!
The Opala is the Brazilian version of the German Opel Rekord from the 60’s that was quickly adapted for the Brazilian market using GM’s 151 cu. in. 4 cyl and the larger 250 cu. in. inline 6 (most were 4cyl due to the high cost of fuel in Brazil) and a 3, 4 and 5 speed manuals (auto cars were extremely rare and expensive). Car was sold in sedan, coupe and wagon versions.
The story goes that the nameplate Opala is a mix of Opel and Impala … but that may not be the official GM version.
Car was sold in Brazil from 1969 to 1992 after going thru several facelifts however the chassis and drivetrain remained nearly identical for 23 years.
In Brazil between 1975 and 1990 the market was closed for imported cars so you had a very small pool of models made in Brazil to choose from (only GM, Ford, VW and Fiat were present in the market)
In 1985 the Opala Diplomata was the top of the line of anything you could get in Brazil so if you had one you were at the top:)
The 80s were the peak of ethanol fueled cars with nearly 80% of all passenger cars sold using ethanol as fuel, there was heavy incentive from the government so ethanol was cheaper than gasoline.
The car here is well spec’d – 6cyl, 2 tone paint and an automatic (3 speed in this one – 4 speed auto did not come out til 88) so one of the rarest.
Good luck to the owner with the sale!
Chrysler also had a Brazilian operation up until 1980 until it sold up to VW.
Certainly an interesting find. As usual, GM sent many of its cast off and outdated stampings from its Opel brand to GM do Brazil throughout this period. This model was originally known as the top line Opel Diplomat in Germany until 1973. Where it was available with a 283 cubic inch V8 sourced from the U.S. and an Opel produced CIH-6. It was a formidable autobahn vehicle. It’s a real shame they were not sold in the U.S. in Opel form or later as a Chevy Opala. I guess they didn’t because GM would have embarrassed themselves when compared to what the inferior GM domestic offerings produced at the time.
Love that steering wheel!
Can’t judge the car, although it looks pretty nice, but out here in Hawaii Nei Opala is the word for trash, and in some public spaces is written on the rubbish cans. Just one of those things…
John, your story reminds me of Nova meaning no go in Spanish.
Ahem, LS swap.
I second this