Plodge

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The 1960 DeSoto Diplomat, built for export markets, is an example of a Plodge; the car was really a 1960 Dodge Dart with DeSoto-like side trim and badging
The 1960 DeSoto Diplomat, built for export markets, is an example of a Plodge; the car was really a 1960 Dodge Dart with DeSoto-like side trim and badging

Plodge is the informal name given to products of the Chrysler Corporation, sold in Canada and export markets, a portmanteau of the names Plymouth and Dodge. These vehicles used portions of Plymouth and Dodge brand automobiles together, to make unique cars for the Canadian market and export markets. These vehicles were sold under either the Dodge nameplate at Dodge dealers and the Plymouth nameplate at Plymouth dealers. Doing so allowed dealers in Canada to offer a wider array of vehicles despite having a smaller market share.

The practice of melding cars into a unique automobile for the Canadian market was due to Canadian trade rules governing the Dominion, designed to protect Canadian industry. The McLaughlin-Buick was an early example of Buick production that was licensed to the McLaughlin concern in Canada. In 1918, General Motors purchased McLaughlin Motors and formed General Motors of Canada Limited.

Ford began operations in Canada in 1904 when some Windsor, Ontario businessmen were given a license to build Ford vehicles for Canada and the British Empire in return for a 50% interest in the new company. Chrysler and Studebaker opened Canadian operations that made cars for Canada and the British Empire and later the Commonwealth.

In the case of Chrysler's efforts in Canada, Dodge and Plymouth vehicles shared parts, even whole cars, with one and other. Interchangeability allowed a Plymouth with a Dodge grille and taillights to become a Dodge without the expense of tooling a vehicle for the market. With the arrival of the Dodge Dart in 1960, only the interiors were shared. The 1965 to 1966 Dodge Monaco used a Dodge body, with a Plymouth Fury dashboard and interior trim.

"Plodges" were also built in Detroit for markets outside of North America. Unlike the Canadian operation, the American export "Plodges" were built in all body styles. The first American-built export "Plodge" was built in the U.S. for the 1935 model year. Two years later, the American firm began building "Plysotos", Plymouths with DeSoto-like grilles for export. The Canadian operation began building export these cars in 1939.

The export Dodge Diplomat was never sold in Canada, with the Canadian DeSoto being just like the American original. The Canadian 1960 DeSoto Adventurer, for example, looked like the American 1960 DeSoto but used the upholstery and door panels from the 1960 Chrysler Saratoga. It was not a Dodge Polara with a DeSoto nameplate as the 1960 Dodge Polara was sold in Canada right beside the DeSoto at Dodge-DeSoto dealers.

Chrysler continued building these types of badge engineered vehicles, usually for export markets. For example, Dodge Kingsways were sold in Hawaii from 1946 to until 1959, when the territory became the 50th state. Chrysler also offered a DeSoto version of the Plymouth starting in 1938. The export DeSoto, called Diplomat from 1946, was also sold in export markets through 1959. For 1960 and 1961 the export DeSoto Diplomat was a Dodge Dart with different trim and nameplates.

The 1965 Canadian-market Valiant Custom 200 was a Valiant-badged Dodge Dart.
The 1965 Canadian-market Valiant Custom 200 was a Valiant-badged Dodge Dart.

"Valiant by Chrysler", sold by both Dodge and Plymouth dealers as a separate make, as had been the plan in the United States. 1960 to 1962 Canadian Valiants were substantially the same as American models, with minor trim and mechanical equipment differences. 1963-1964 Canadian Valiants were true Plodges, mating American Valiant front end sheetmetal to American Dodge Dart bodies. 1965 Canadian Valiants were available in the full range of sizes and models offered across the American Plymouth Valiant and Dodge Dart models, but all Canadian-market cars used Dart instrument clusters and were badged "Valiant". For 1966, the Valiant Barracuda was the only offering on the US Valiant's 106 in wheelbase in Canada - with no Valiant station wagons in Canada for 1966. All 1963 to 1966 Dart and Valiant wagons in all markets were built on the American Valiant's 106 in wheelbase.

[edit] Canadian-built "Plodge" vehicles

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