Hey everyone, I’ve just purchased a 1988 Dodge Diplomat AHB Texas Department of Public Safety highway patrol car in Australia
Posted by Aromatic_Concert300@reddit | Autos | View on Reddit | 19 comments
I want to make up some original looking door decals, does anyone know the finish and vinyl I need, looks like a gold metallic that’s printed on and Matt laminated from what I’ve gathered so far, although unsure if reflective or if it is actually Matt, hard to tell in photos, if anyone has some originals to go off that would be greatly appreciated.
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crxtion@reddit
Sick
LeftPhilosopher9628@reddit
Every time I see anything related to the Dodge Diplomat, I think about Jason Torchinsky’s Meh-Car Monday article from Jalopnik - Dodge Diplomat has Immunity From Being Interesting
DorkHelmet72@reddit
Cool ride. So ugly it’s awesome
Did a 5 second EBay search
If I was to reproduce this I would use a large format printer on vinyl with a gloss overlaminate. Car wrap shop could do it. Metallic gold letters and accents would need to be cut vinyl.
Aromatic_Concert300@reddit (OP)
I work in the sign writing industry, will be direct printing on the metallic gold with white ink on our flatbed printer. Will make some in both Matt and gloss to see what visually looks more correct on the car I think. I want to join more groups on Facebook but as I’m in Australia when I search I don’t get many American groups come up or if there are American groups, they don’t have many members or much information in them
DorkHelmet72@reddit
Well damn, you already got the tools. I work in signs in the US. Mainly interior Braille signs but do a bit of everything.
I guess no one will think a Texas HP car is a real police car in Australia. Good luck with the build
Aromatic_Concert300@reddit (OP)
Sort of lucky, as it is Texas department of public safety and it doesn’t specifically say police, so it doesn’t violate our insignia laws. So I can leave it uncovered, will have to cover the light bar though as you’re not allowed to display red and blues. Also think I figured out the logos now, they were probably screen printed onto the gold vinyl with no laminate, hence the sort of satin/matte finish I can see, so been screen printed the gold would remain glossy if there is no laminate and only the white and the black would be that sort of satin finish.
AcousticOnomatopoeia@reddit
*matte
CrypticQuery@reddit
I always liked the looks of the Diplomat/Gran Fury. The front grille design practically makes the car look like it has a mustache.
LukeSkyWRx@reddit
Is there an Australian equivalent to the blues brothers?
MastaSchmitty@reddit
The Motown Mates?
ANC13NT_AP3@reddit
My first car was a 1989 Dodge Diplomat. Retired police car. Absolutely loved the hell out of that thing, still kicking myself 20 years later for selling it. Was just talking to my kids wondering where they all could have possibly went, because I've never seen another in person. Imagine my surprise opening reddit this morning and finding a random one on here in Australia of all places lol! And I happen to have a model of this exact Texas trooper design. So glad to see that you have this and are going to love it!!
Wizzle-Stick@reddit
the most 80s car to ever 80s. only thing on it that is round is the steering wheel and the tires, and i bet they would make those square if they could.
USAhotdogteam@reddit
Awesome find
Cordriginal@reddit
I’m sure you’re needing some fine Texas Lone Star beer to go alongside that project? How can we make that happen, because by default you are now an honorary Texan!
xampl9@reddit
There’s a guy in the UK with a Crown Vic, and goes around filming reactions from the public.
https://youtu.be/wr_9a8wYzkQ
Yeah, I’d do a double-take too.
Slow_Description_773@reddit
Oh shit I’m incredibly gealous !!
CrypticQuery@reddit
Try asking around in US/Texas based police car restoration groups. Facebook is a decent resource. I'm sure the Gran Fury/Diplomat have some enthusiast forums activities too. Vintage emergency equipment forums (elightbars) or Facebook groups may be a good option too.
Good luck, and congrats. Boxy eighties sedans have always been some of my favorites.