De Soto DIPLOMAT

48 registered in New Zealand · 1951–1962 · 48% from Not Known

The De Soto DIPLOMAT is a recognisable name on New Zealand roads, with 48 registered across model years 1951 to 1962. Most are petrol-powered saloons with a 5.1L engine.

Below you'll find a complete breakdown of fuel types, body styles, drivetrain options, regional distribution, and estimated running costs. Select a specific model year to see detailed specs, buyer insights, and variant-level data for that generation of the DIPLOMAT.

Select Year

48 On NZ Roads
5.1L Engine

Fuel Types

De Soto DIPLOMAT fuel type breakdown: PETROL 100%.

Drivetrain

Engine Size

De Soto DIPLOMAT engine sizes: 5.1L 13%, 4.0L 8%, 2.7L 6%, 4.1L 6%, 2.2L 4%.

Imported From

De Soto DIPLOMAT imported from: Not Known 48%, United States 35%, New Zealand 10%, Canada 4%, Australia 2%.

Colours

BLUE 17 (35%)
RED 10 (21%)
BLACK 7 (15%)
GREEN 4 (8%)
YELLOW 3 (6%)
PURPLE 3 (6%)
BROWN 2 (4%)
WHITE 1 (2%)

Colours shown are approximate representations of NZTA basic colour categories, not exact manufacturer paint codes.

Where They Are in NZ

De Soto DIPLOMAT regional distribution: AUCKLAND: 5, INVERCARGILL: 4, DUNEDIN: 4, HOROWHENUA: 3, WHANGAREI: 3.

Body Types

Similar Cars

1 Holden logo
Holden Commodore 49,259
1978–2022 11.1 L/100km
2 Ford logo
Ford Falcon 33,206
1960–2020 11.5 L/100km
3 Toyota logo
Toyota Camry 30,957
1980–2026 7.3 L/100km
4 Toyota logo
Toyota Corolla 24,532
1956–2023 5.8 L/100km
5 Honda logo
Honda Accord 20,130
1978–2020 7.9 L/100km

Frequently Asked Questions

How many De Soto DIPLOMAT are there in New Zealand?

There are 48 De Soto DIPLOMAT vehicles registered in New Zealand as of March 2026, making up 0% of the total passenger fleet. Model years range from 1951 to 1962.

What body type is the De Soto DIPLOMAT?

The De Soto DIPLOMAT is primarily classified as a saloon in the NZTA fleet register. It is also available in other body configurations: station wagon. The most common fuel type is petrol.

Are De Soto DIPLOMAT cars imported or NZ-new?

48% of De Soto DIPLOMAT vehicles in New Zealand originated from Not Known. A mix of NZ-new and imported vehicles make up the fleet. Check the import status and origin country for the specific year you're considering on the individual year pages.