The Opel Diplomat B V8 occupies a peculiar and compelling corner of post-war German automotive history: a large executive saloon wearing an Opel badge, powered by an American V8, and sold as a direct rival to the Mercedes-Benz W108. Norev has reproduced the 1969 launch-year example in 1:18 die-cast metal, finished in a factory green that sits squarely within the period colour palette. For collectors with an interest in West German road cars of the late 1960s, this is a rare opportunity.
Opel's Flagship: The Diplomat B Platform
Launched in 1969 as a comprehensive redesign of the original 1964 Diplomat A, the Diplomat B rode on the KAD platform shared with the Kapitän and Rekord lines. The V8 variant sat at the top of the range, using a 5354 cc Chevrolet small-block OHV engine paired with a Turbo-Hydramatic automatic gearbox. The line ended in 1977, leaving survivors genuinely rare.
A Chevrolet Engine in a German Executive Car
The Diplomat V8's defining curiosity is its powertrain: the 5.4-litre Chevrolet small-block was the same engine family fitted to Corvettes of the same era. Inside a long Opel body sold to West German business and government customers, it created an unusually transatlantic machine. The Diplomat B was positioned directly against the Mercedes-Benz W108 and W109, and frequently appeared as a company or ministerial car. The V8 variant was the halo model and remains the most sought-after today. The factory green livery seen here was among the colour options offered in the 1969–1970 model year.
Norev's 1:18 Scale Model in Die-Cast Metal
This 1:18 scale model car is produced by Norev and listed in their official product catalogue. The construction is die-cast metal, the format Norev employs for accurate body panel reproduction at this scale. The Opel Diplomat B is one of the rarer nameplates in the Norev 1:18 die-cast range, reflecting the model's relative scarcity in the real world. The green exterior corresponds to the factory palette of the 1969 launch year, lending the piece strong period-correct authenticity.
In the Display Cabinet
The Diplomat V8 makes a striking centrepiece for any collection focused on late-1960s West German road cars, and its transatlantic powertrain heritage gives it an interesting dual identity that stands out on the shelf.
