GMC Caballero

This was GMC's version of Chevrolet's El Camino car/truck hybrid. It was called Sprint from 1971-77, and renamed Caballero (spanish for "Gentleman") when the line was redesigned along with the rest of GM's A-body line in 1978. The Caballeros shared its mechanicals with the Chevy Malibu sedan, but had a 9-inch longer wheelbase. Other than different nameplates it was difficult to distinguish a Caballero from an El Camino at more than 10 paces distance. It was largely for this reason that the Caballero never sold near the volume the El Camino did (many never even knew a GMC version existed), but its rarity counts as a plus to many El Camino fans and collectors.

• 1978 - Redesigned with an all new body and new name. Base engine is a 3.3L 200 cid V6 engine with 3-speed manual transmission. 4-speed manual and 3-speed automatics are optional. Optional engines are the 3.8L 231 cid V6, 5.0L 305 and 5.7L 350 V8s. Most engines are ordered with the 3-speed automatics. Stripe-and-decal Diablo package (similar to El Camino's Conquista package) debuts this year also.

• 1979 - Slightly altered grille is the only visual change this year. A 4.4L 267 cid V8 was a new drivetrain addition, all others remained the same as 1978.

• 1980 - Another revised grille this year. The wretched 5.7L 350 cid Oldsmobile Diesel engine makes its debut this year, available only with 3-speed automatic. The Buick-built 231 cid V6 is replaced with a Chevy-built 229 cid V6.

• 1981 - Another new grille, this one with horizontal bars versus the vertical bars of last year. All engines except the diesel gain GM's lockup torque converter. Slightly restyled dashboard, eliminating the horizontal "strip style" speedometer. The 3.3L 200 cid V6 and 5.7L 350 gas V8 are both discontinued this year, leaving the 229 cid V6, 267 and 305 cid V8 and the diesel 350 cid V8. The 4-speed automatic becomes available on the 305 V8. The Diablo package discontinued after this year.

• 1982 - Restyled nose this year with quad headlamps and eggcrate grille - the look that would last until its demise in 1987. No more manual transmissions were available.

• 1983 - The slow-selling 4.4L 267 cid V8 is dropped this year, leaving the 229 V6, 305 V8 and the diesel 350 V8. The Choo-Choo conversion SS package that became available on the El Camino this year (mimicing the Monte Carlo SS) with the high-output L69 180 horse 305 V8 is (regrettably) never offered on the Caballero.

• 1984 - Virtual rerun of 1983.

• 1985 - The 229 cid V6 is dropped in favor of a fuel-injected 145 hp 4.3L 262 V6, basically a 350 V8 with 2 cylinders lopped off (and distinguished by a small FUEL INJECTION nameplate on the tailgate). The 150 horse 305 cid V8 remains, but the unloved diesel is finally dumped this year.

• 1986 - Slightly restyled dashboard with revised gauge graphics... that's about it.

• 1987 - End of the line... a whopping 1,882 sold, making one a rare find indeed if so desired.