It was just a few days ago that we featured an identical model to this imported wagon shown here. Known as the Chevrolet Caravan Diplomata, this Brazilian market Chevy is like a Volvo 240 that spent some time in the gym, with a full-figured shape and very European-like face. With an unusual two-door body (that is quite common for Brazil) and a manual gearbox, it’s safe to say we don’t often see a wagon like this in the states – but with two for sale in about two weeks, is there a burgeoning market for these imported long-roofs? Find this Diplomata here on Facebook Marketplace for $19,000 in Malden, Massachusetts.
Here is the listing that Barn Finds writer Russ Dixon shared a few days ago. Now, if you see an oddball like this once in a great while, it’s not exactly breaking news. But to see two of these Brazilian-market wagons actively for sale at the same time – and it’s not the first time we’ve seen these Diplomatas pop up – it starts to make you wonder if someone has decided that there’s an audience for such a car. Given wagons are not exactly popular in the states (with the exception of guys like me who pine for the days of European long-roofs to enjoy a revival), it’s an unusual choice of going through the motions and challenges to import. This particular Diplomata appears to have excellent paint quality, with a video in the listing showing deep shine.
Plus, it’s a manual! I totally dig the setup, which continues to give off the Volvo vibes while still being quite distinctive. That being said, this is not a sporting vehicle. It has a massive 4.1L six-cylinder engine but that only translates to about 140 horsepower, so don’t expect to surprise any other imported wagons should you find yourself in a stoplight showdown. The interior of this Diplomata appears to be in nice shape overall, with bucket seats in good shape, a crack-free dash, and rubber floor mats that look like an OEM fitment. Mileage is said to be very low, with just 36,000 miles noted in the listing.
The two-door bodystyle means you’ll want to make sure that the handles on the seat that pivot the backrest forward work, as getting into the backseat will quickly become tiresome if they don’t. The asking price is $19,000, which seems like a tall ask – but it’s actually cheaper than the one Russ posted last week. One of the more intriguing aspects of imported vehicles, regardless of country of origin, is how sellers set the price: what’s an appropriate premium over the cost to import said car or truck? Some JDM vehicles have become ridiculously cheap to import, but I’m not sure what it costs to bring a Diplomata into the states. Do you think the asking price makes sense for such an intriguing long roof? Thanks to Barn Finds reader Yargbull for the find.
Frankly, for this price, the market offers better options.
Much better.
And it’s still not automatic.
Not being an auto is a selling point, at least to me.
I’m sorry the translation of the text wasn’t the best, Mike 76, but I hope you understood.
The only question is how much power the manual box can handle. That’s going to determine what engine you swap in.
There may be “better” options, but I doubt that you’ll find any on U.S. roads in fewer numbers – it almost looks like it might have seen diplomatic service or other professional use, (hence the model name) like funeral, hospitality/airport, but between the 2-door, the standard transmission, and the roof rails, this wagon says “surfin safari” to me (Malibu) – and how about the rims? Very Euro – almost SAAB-ish…I wonder if the seats are heated – and that paint job is probably worth ~$4K in itself and what appear to be (factory?) tinted windows – almost a “Richie Rich” surf mobile – The driver gets out, opens the passenger door, pulls the seat back forward so the passenger(s) can alight, then the driver parks and waits by the car, smoking and dusting the car off with a chamois. It reminds me of the Cadillacs that would be sent to a custom coach house for conversion to hearses, ambulances, etc. Here’s an uploaded-by-reader sheet with pics of the Diplomata coup and sedan (1980 editions) – https://storm.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevroletdiplomata1980.htm But here is a similar look at the 1990 Diplomata specifically – https://www.automobile-catalog.com/car/1992/1954520/chevrolet_caravan_diplomata_se_4_1.html#gsc.tab=0 I actually kind-of like the blue with the Euro flat black window surrounds, etc. a bit better perhaps – at least for a surfer. The black version looks like it might have bullet-proofing (heh heh). Wiki has the history of the model line in Brazil as well.
Reminds me of 66/67 Chevy II Wagon past doors, why I stopped to look
i like i6 above all others (but may B the i8) aahahahaa
“…2 in 2 wks…” is the import ban 20 yrs back? 30 yrs?
I’d go for these as my experiences w/RHD are not inspiring (rural, city or suburban, it just doesnt work. I picked up the driving from R hand quickly, but society and rd.s are for the other, here). So no JDM car/truck either.
I never have any one even in shotgun so this’d work. Auto v stick? pretty personal, I’d skip this one due to 4 speed, & seek a 4 speed auto (OD in there) as a daily (wrk thru day & commute). Not happy w/the 5 speed in the car, it wrks in the truck (4WD). So even tho those around me call me WagonMan I’d skip this’un.
Best selling points: “american”, wagon, i6 (some folk – the cheb 250 ci is also just right, probablya sequential efi), 4 speed (some folk), condition.
My mods? I’d sell but: suspension’n breaks, drop 2 inches, turbo a 292, (if 4 speed go to 5), etc… possibly strip out back & mod for durable haulin (C my ’85 ford fox wagon).
In early 2014 I spent 2 months working on Victoria Brazil. Being a fan of old cars I was always on the lookout for interesting old stuff but saw very few. I did see one Chevy badged wagon that looked like a cross between an Opel and a 66 – 67 Nova wagon, but with 2 doors.
Almost all the cars had manual transmissions. Only experienced 1 with an auto.
The main engineer I worked with was an off road enthusiastist – his ride was a Troller, a Brazilian copy of a CJ-5 Jeep, but with a 4 cylinder diesel and 5 speed. One weekend we went out into the mountain foothills on an abandoned coffee plantation. We had electric chainsaws and machetes to hack through brush as necessary. If you expand the picture you can see the Troller as we came down the other side of the hill. A once in a lifetime experience!!
Looks like a mid 60s Chevy II wagon with a Ford Sierra front end…