“If you think a pickup has to look tough to be tough, we’ve got a surprise for you: the quality-built ’84 GMC Caballero. You can see for yourself that it’s no ordinary pickup. Not with that crisp distinctive styling up front. Or with all those luxurious appointments inside.” So says a brochure for a 1984 GMC Caballero. This reported Diablo version is listed here on eBay in Valley, Alabama and the bids are at $3,450, but the reserve isn’t met.
I see a small version of the Chevrolet Impala or Caprice here, or a fourth-gen Malibu. I wonder what a Caprice-bodied El Camino may have looked like… Just kidding, I don’t know if anyone cares about the Photoshop versions so I’ll skip that one this time. The Chevy El Camino came out in 1959 but it wouldn’t be until 1971 that GMC would have their own version of a half-car-half-pickup, called the Sprint. Hagerty is at $5,900 for a #4 fair-condition Cabellero and $11,600 for a #3 good car.
The smaller G-body version came out for the 1982 model year until the end of 1987 for both Chevy and GMC. In GMC’s case, they were now known as the Caballero and they shared a stretched wheelbase to keep the hauling bed long enough for most users’ needs. They came in several flavors, this one is said to be a “Diablo”, which sounds cool and mean and edgy and angry, but there isn’t too much about it other than the name. There’s no evidence of Diablo badging or the famous hood graphic, which would have been a devil-themed flame pattern – unless it’s a graphics-delete version. I would bet this one is an Amarillo, but one of you will know for sure. The seller says that a former owner backed into a pole with the tailgate down, hence the one that’s on there now.
Other than the steering wheel, the interior looks great, and the seller has included a ton of good photos, nice work! They even have several without the carpet so you can see the condition of the floors, which look great. And, they also included many underside photos and there’s room enough behind the seats for groceries, tools, or almost anything but humans.
There is a decent amount of surface rust on this rig, but Alabama isn’t exactly the dry desert so that’s understandable. I’m late in running the VIN, but this one decodes to being an Amarillo edition with a 3.8-liter V6. The seller lists it as a 350 four-barrel, so I’m not sure what’s going on, as the only V8 available would have been a 305. It sure looks original with the (non-working) air-conditioning, doesn’t it? Whatever it is, the carb needs work so you can’t drive this one home. Any thoughts on the model or the engine in this Caballero?
Is that a Pontiac Astra in the background of the first photo? I don’t think I’ve seen one of those in decades.
Good eye, Barzini! I meant to talk about that thing. As far as I can tell we’ve never featured an
AstraAstre here, hopefully someone will find one for sale and send in a tip soon!FYI it’s an “Astre”..Opel made an “Astra”
Ha, excellent, thanks for the correction, Terrry. (awkward)
He is actually selling it. But he’s calling it a Vega. $1225
Scotty, Here you go, an Astre.
A nationwide search of CraigsList using AutoTempest reveals just one for sale. The seller’s description is hilarious in its exaggeration of its condition.
https://fortcollins.craigslist.org/cto/d/fort-collins-1977-pontiac-astre/7717810779.html
Feel free to feature it.
They should be selling the car in the background,there’s more interest in that one than this one!
Looks like 4 spark plug wires on the side showing of the engine sit either a. 305 or the engine has been changed to a 350. I have an 86. Choo choo SS that I just dropped a 350 in very common easy swap
El Diablo = Fighting Chicken. Who wants to go fast?
Speaking of that, and the Astre, here’s a quick Photoshop thing I did a few years ago.
Very cool look Scotty! Nice work. Like the snowflake wheels on it
Thanks, RMac! I didn’t think anyone looked at those crazy photoshop creations.
These would have had the Buick V6 I believe. Very common to swap to a 350 V8 when the V6 died. If I were in the market I’d give this one a close look. They make great cruisers with the plus of being able to haul 1000 lbs in the bed.
I believe the b6 in the later years was the 4.3 and the Buick v6 prior but I believe if this was a v6 most likely the 4.3
My 85 had a 305 in it originally but the kid selling it had no clue and advertised it as original 350 4 bbl. Which I knew it was not
The GMC Sprint actually came out in 71, it was renamed Caballero in 78 when it was redesigned along with the rest of the Malibu/El Camino line (and still an A-body, it didn’t become a G-body till 82). Even though the Malibu was dropped after 83, the El Camino/Caballero ran all the way thru the 87 model year.
Thanks for the correction, YankeeJB! You’re right about 1971, my apologies. As far as the 1982 figure, I was referring to the G-body cars. Thanks for the additional info on these cars, we always hope the readers will catch any errors or fill in the blanks when they can.
Besides the tailgate, it looks like the seats were replaced as well; they clash with the rest of the interior. And it look like that engine hasn’t run in a while. Pass.
The wierd thing is, this looks the exact same dimentions my 80 SS was. I bought it as a rolling chassis after my late wife totalled my dream car, and 1977 Grand Prix, white with T-tops. Had it rebuilt prior .30 over with flat tops. A friend helped pull the engine and tranny to put into the El Camino. Seen tons of Chevy 350’s put into Pontiacs, so I figured it wouldn’t be any harder. I was wrong. We tossed the mounts and welded it right to the frame after nibbling away at the A arms, and beating the firewall to shoehorn it in with the headers. Then the hood wouldn’t close due to the height of the manifold, and a hood scoop was added. Cutouts, cherry bombs turned out on the sides, and it really ripped! Had it painted Viper yellow. Sold it in Tallahassee. When I left there, it was for sale down in Wakulla County. I often miss that car. Installed carpet out of it for a bit.
G body…1978 not 87