For the record, I have not been able to establish the origins of this incredible motorhome, so fact-checkers will have to provide commentary in the comments. But wow: what an amazing rig! Monaco Coach Corporation is a real-deal company that produces motorhomes to this day, but I can’t find much about this particular model, referred to as the Diplomat. It utilizes a Caterpillar engine of unknown origins but check the smokestack on the rear end! This thing is wild, and the bodywork and paint suggests it was not a cheap build when it was new. Find it here on Facebook Marketplace in Shelburne Falls, MA for $9,000.
The Diplomat seems like a fitting name for a luxury home on wheels, and the interior accommodations suggest it was a high-end model when new. The 3-spoke steering wheel is downright racy and makes us wonder if this model was intended for someone who wanted a rig that offered tighter-handling than your typical luxury coach. The plethora of gauges is something your average gearhead would love, and the large monitor in the center stack rivals that of the modern-day Tesla. The driver’s compartment seems to be in good shape overall with just typical signs of wear and tear.
The interior features your typical couch and lounge area directly behind the driver, followed by a dining area, bathroom, and large bedroom. The couch presumably folds out into a bed as well, and there’s certainly plenty of storage with all the wood cabinetry at the ceiling level. While it’s impossible to assess the water-tightness of the cabin from here, it at least appears to be dry in the photos with no obvious staining. The device by the door at first gave me some pause as to whether it was tied to reducing dampness or odors, but Google Lens seems to think it’s a standard air compressor. We’ve seen lots of motorhomes left parked for long spells, and few are as clean as this one is inside.
The rear end shows the engine compartment, and if you click on the listing, you’ll see a close-up of the engine which may allow our resident Caterpillar experts to identify it. Bonus points if you can identify where the taillights came from! The nose obviously is from a Dodge B-Series van of some vintage, and it’s an unusual combo to see such a flat grill and light combo paired with the pointy nose panel of the Diplomat. In a world of shorter-wheelbase RVs dominated by the BMW diesel-powered Vixen and the front-wheel drive GMC camper, this Caterpillar-powered entry is an intriguing one. Have you ever heard of this Monaco model?
Ooh, it’s a killing machine, its got everything,,,, like a driving power, big fat tires and everything,,,when was the last time you heard THAT one? Indeed a Highway Star, except, for that boat anchor of a motor and has an “up pipe” for a reason. Have to bring out the big guns here, Geomechs, but looks like that worthless, non-turbo 3208 boat anchor, turbo models helped a little. Nice unit, never saw one, probably an Allison automatic, and I suppose the motor is adequate, if you can afford the fuel. Diesel is over $5/gal here( be ready for that down the line at the grocery store) and this might get 7 or 8mpg, it adds up. I’ve pretty much S canned the traveling idea for a number of reasons, but a person could easily live in this, if you like hanging out behind the laundromat, that is.
Been thinking about this unit. 1st, I don’t think it’s a ’95. I can’t find any images past say, ’86 that look like this. Also, by ’95, they were using Cummins motors. One RV website says this is indeed a non-turbo 3208 Cat, and an Allison 4 speed automatic. While I don’t have much to say about the motor, to be clear, in a unit like this, big rubber(24.5) I bet this unit would do 80 mph easy, down wind, of course. It’s when they were used in a heavy duty application, they fell short. More for a school bus, than a dump truck hauling 50,000 lbs. all day. And a smoker, reason for the up pipe, in fact, I wonder if these old motors are even allowed in Cal. today. Might want to check on that. This is a cool coach.
And in case all my rockin’ buddies are dead, that song was Highway Star by Deep Purple on the Machine Head Album released in 1972( eep), and the AMAZING guitarist Richie Blackmore, who, at 80, is STILL rockin’,,hmm, considering the life those people led, and are 80, I should live to be a 100,,,too bad it doesn’t work that way.
Looks like you nailed it again, Howard. Monaco Coach Corporation didn’t list a Diplomat as a model in 1995 which tells us someone in Shelburne Falls, MA. really hasn’t any idea of what it is they have for sale.
With regards to CARB standards you’re again 100%-this would never pass smog regardless of whether the engine is a Cat or Cummins.
With regards to Deep Purple’s Highway Star (a favorite)-there’re a lot of things we forget (WTH did I do with that Whitworth socket set??!?!?) it’s a good bet that most of us from that era with you have it memorized and ping on it within the 1st 3 notes😆.
One of the best road songs from the time-record a few more to the cassette like Born To Be Wild, Bad To The Bone, plus Radar Love and make some Highway miles!
Here is some info on the motor home…
https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/monaco_motor_coach/
I know nothing about motor homes, but I’ve read enough write-ups on them here on BF to realize that aged ones for sale are often in poor condition. Typically with mechanical and/or structural issues.
That said, this one doesn’t look terrible. Too bad the ad is so poor. I guess a prospective buyer should be glad that the “breaks” work, and that a selling point is the aimable spot light.
Always thought diesel pushers were the best buy in RV land. Love the roomy interiors.