Being friends, and a local contact, for David Tracy is a very special thing. On one hand he is a kind, clever guy that wants everyone to have a good time. On the other hand, if you offer to help him move, he’s going to text you that he’s gotten a U-Haul stuck in the mud, and you’ll have to ride it out of the pit while he pulls it with his XJ (true story, btw). But the message he sent me on Halloween this year was scary in more ways than one. Because it was about our beloved Detroit Diplomat.
David first introduced the Internet to the Detroit Diplomat in May of 2023, calling it, “The Rustiest Daily-Driver In America.” And that’s a fair claim. There were rust holes taped over on the doors, with rust blisters waiting for their chance to be covered in the best Duck Brand tape in whichever color was fashionable this season.
In later years, those of us in Detroit would see it at the Troy Walmart where we meet up, and we would note the condition of the vehicle. Somewhat amusingly, a box of rubber gloves had been migrating towards an exit via a rust hole in the trunk, and its descent was noticed.
Years after David left, we continued to meet at that Walmart, and the Detroit Diplomat continued to be present. The Detroit Autopians loved it, and while it was deteriorating, our fondness for the vehicle only grew. While its owner worked at that Walmart we made no significant strides for contact, because reasons, but we eagerly included it in our lineup when we had the chance.
Which made its lack of appearances in recent months somewhat concerning… Until David messaged me, and the concern got more serious.
It was news that neither of us had wanted to see: The Detroit Diplomat had appeared at David Tracy’s emotional home junkyard, US Auto of Sterling Heights.
The car was being advertised on the yard’s Facebook page as being held for the 60’ for $60 Black Friday sale, an event that I hope is sponsored by a local chiropractic firm, where if you and your buddies can carry it sixty feet, you get it for sixty US dollars.
It is a tradition for the yard that I would love to spectate, but since I am usually out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday, I miss it. However, my mind is currently wondering if I should be there this year, because our Diplomat, the beloved Detroit Diplomat, is currently slated to be parted out as a coming attraction. It has ended up on death’s door, mere feet from the crusher that may take its life after its body is stripped for whatever is useful by the denizens of the Detroit Metro.
And while the rust means the body may live in its current state until it gets the big squeeze, I must say… The rest of the car is in shockingly decent shape.
Immediately upon seeing the Detroit Diplomat on Facebook, I messaged the yard and included a link to David’s story. All I asked for was the chance to see it for pictures. When my contact, Andrew, called me back, he seemed amenable to the idea. Perhaps the story began circulating in the junkyard office.
I drove up and was allowed to take my daily driver Chevy Sonic into the back to meet Andrew and survey the condition of the Diplomat, and I was taken through the rows of tightly packed cars on death’s door. Initially I was rather worried – the picture on Facebook made it look like the axle was tweaked in a big way.
Getting there and seeing the Detroit Diplomat for myself, it potentially looked even worse! The driver-side rear tire was at an even more extreme angle, even breaking the fender trim off the body!
But then, talking with Andrew, he told me that the Diplomat had already been processed, and the wheels were being held on with one lug nut each. The axle was fine, or at least as fine as it was when this was on the road.
The first thing I checked was the trunk. And though any boxes of gloves were gone, the trunk carpet was still there, and looked like someone had kept it somewhat clean. It wasn’t perfect, seemingly filled with kitty litter as a desiccant, but it was far from the kind of condition one might expect when the body of a car looks like a scab.
The white line spare tire even still had the blue dye on it! Coming around the side, the body was as expected, and up front the only thing that appeared new, relative to last time we saw it, was the low beams. Andrew even noted that, since David’s article in 2023, it appeared that someone had touched up the hood. It wasn’t sunbaked as it was in 2023!
Under that hood was the engine that impressed many of us Detroit Autopians: the 318 V8 that fired up on the key every time and purred like a kitten. The fascinating part of this car has always been that, while it looked like a car ready to return to the earth, mechanically it seemed sound. Tires were decent and within date, the engine sounded good, and there were no exhaust leaks. And we can see evidence here – there appears to be a new fuel filter, and the radiator and shroud look replaced recently as well. The V-belts look decent, the battery terminals are without corrosion, and even the flexible air intake ducting that is always missing on old cars is present and in good shape.
Granted, it’s not perfect. This thing appears to have an oil leak the likes of which would make the Exxon Valdez proud. And upon popping off the oil cap, I found what appeared to be some sludge buildup. Either the Detroit Diplomat was a hardy beast, hanging on as her owner could take care of her, or the last few months meant she was slightly neglected.
Going to the driver’s door felt a little like something I wasn’t supposed to do. The entire time the Detroit Autopians had been around the Detroit Diplomat, we had kept a fair distance. It’s someone’s car, after all, and we aren’t going to peer into it or get handsy with someone else’s automobile. Which is why approaching it in the junkyard felt strange. Here, I was allowed to touch it, open it, explore it. It was, admittedly, a little somber and eerie. This car’s owner is no longer here to say if they do or don’t want someone touching the car. We don’t mean that too literally, as there are reports of folks seeing him at the same Walmart with another ride, but still.
With that in mind, I grabbed the door handle, opened it up, an discovered that the interior continues the trend.
I was not assaulted with any heinous scents, and though she can use a cleaning, and Andrew pointed out some spots in the rear seat from their inspection, there were no tears, the steering wheel was intact, the dash looked great. You can see by the wear on the brake pedal and floor mat that this Diplomat has seen some miles. How many miles?
22,473 miles on the odometer. I joked with Andrew that it was definitely at least 222k miles …
Make no mistake, I’m not saying the Detroit Diplomat is cherry. The armrest is definitely broken in, and the human slime in that door panel must weigh whole pounds. And then we must bring up the obvious… The window is being held up with tape.
This was among the Detroit Diplomat’s most notable traits – the tape. Especially on the bumpers and the windows. At one time the tape was done well enough that the environment could feasibly be kept at bay. Now? Perhaps not, but the tape is still doing its best.
Finally, looking at the rear driver’s fender where the chrome trim is popped off, I noticed something. Here in the Midwest, fender trim generally means you’re covering up for something, and that something is usually rust. You can see it peeking out from behind fender flares on bed sides on trucks all over the place. But on the Detroit Diplomat, I was shocked.
Again, not perfect, but there’s enough metal there that you’re not talking a mega effort to repair if you were so inclined. Going underneath, it’s the same: not perfect, but decent.
Yes, I see that big crack there in the foreground of the first picture. I was not able to get a closer look as I was still in my office clothes from my day job.
Upon going home, I was eager to share the news with the Discord and see what more I could find out about the car. I recorded the car’s VIN, and a vehicle history report was shocking. The Diplomat doesn’t have 222k miles… Or 322k miles… It has a mere 122k miles! It was dealer-maintained from 2004 to 2016, at which point it was serviced regularly at a shop in Royal Oak, MI. It crossed 100k miles in 2020, and as recently as May of this year, 2026, the car got new front brakes. Absolutely insane.
So, what does fate hold for the (in)famous Detroit Diplomat? What is next? As of now, the car has been processed by the junkyard. That means fluids – oil, coolant, AC refrigerant, fuel, etc – have all been removed.
If nothing happens, the Detroit Diplomat is slated to go up on the blocks Friday, November 27, for the 60’ for $60 event.
Is that truly the end for this amazing machine? A car that someone clearly cared for, maybe not ideally, but perhaps as well as they could? A car with such a following that upon hearing news, the Discord was practically leaping at the chance to see what we could do to rescue it?
The crusher comes for all. But maybe not yet. Maybe not yet…
Top graphic image: US Auto of Sterling Heights
I always thought it was interesting that the big 3 put airbags in cars that also have carburetors.