454 V8 Hauler: 1979 GMC Caballero
The El Camino was Chevrolet’s “gentleman’s pickup” from 1959-60 and again from 1964-87. GMC finally got their own version of the truck beginning in 1971 as the Sprint, with the name changed to Caballero in 1978. The latter is derived from the Spanish language, which translates to “gentleman, horseman or knight.” The seller’s 1979 Caballero has had a bunch of work done to it with the biggest piece being the addition of a 454 big-block V8. The truck is located in Anniston, Alabama and available here on eBay with an opening bid is $10,000 and a Buy It Now option at $14,000. Thanks, Larry D, for finding this one for us!
These rear-wheel-drive, car-based pickups were sold by GMC truck dealers in the U.S. and Canada. Only different interior trim, emblems and wheel trim separately the GMC from the El Camino. The 1978-87 Caballero’s were essentially fifth generation El Camino’s that shared chassis components with the Chevy Malibu. These editions would be downsized compared to their most recent generation, the 1973-77 models. Front-end sheet metal and doors were taken from the Malibu and the rear tailgate and bumper was borrowed from the same’s station wagon. The Caballero generally sold in much smaller numbers than the more famous El Camino. For example, for 1979 Chevy would sell 58,000 copies while the GMC version barely reached 7,000 units.
This ’79 Caballero looks really good from what we can see, but the seller is a bit more critical. We’re told the two-tone paint isn’t perfect, but we’re not shown where those problems are. There are some minor rust bubbles on top of the back glass which should be easily repairable. 2016 seems to have been a pivotal year for this pickup. That’s when the factory 305 V8 was jettisoned in favor of a rebuilt 454 cubic inch engine (no pics) that we’re told is largely stock and runs well. It’s paired with a TH350 automatic transmission that is said to do its job properly. A bunch of parts were changed, including the following:
- power steering pump, pressure hoses and transmission cooler lines
- water pump, radiator, alternator, starter, fuel pump, power brake booster and master cylinder
- exhaust system and some suspension components
That’s a lot of stuff for a car the seller says has 5,000 miles on it and the odometer reads 9,000. Sounds like a vehicle that saw much more use and yet the interior looks practically brand new. So perhaps it sat around a lot instead of being used. Either way, it seems fine now. It has cold factory air conditioning, important to those of us in Southern states. Top dollar on one of these pickups, GMC or Chevy, is about $20,000 and this one looks nice enough to add to the collection, as long as the gas mileage of a 454 doesn’t bother you.
Auctions Ending Soon
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now1 days$333
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now1 days$4,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now1 days$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now3 days$11,000
1974 Datsun 260ZBid Now5 days$750
Comments
The VIN says it was an original 350 V8 – a rare one, for sure. Someone went to work on those “stock” rims. They are now 15″ x 8″(7″?), instead of the standard 14″ x 7″.
Dakota Digital, and others, now make full electronic gauges for the dash, I would go that way and clean up the dash.
Those wide(er) stripe white wall are soooo period correct. Our family cars from that Era had them – Firestone 721, Goodyear Arriva, Uniroyal Royal Seal, etc.
A few items to correct, but a (big block) ctime machine, for sure!
The VIN also says that it’s a 1978 model. The 6th digit indicates the model year. The first indication for me was the grille. That’s a 1978 Malibu/El Camino/ Caballero grille. The VIN confirmed it for me. How does the owner get some thing like that wrong???
Always liked this generation Malibu/ElCamino/Caballero styling. Sweet looking ride.
454 you say? I’m sure this little truck will haul ass, among other things
Neat little truck, I think reasonably priced at 14k. There’s an opportunity to make the 454 install look more “factory”, and that 7.5 rear is not long for the world but overall, I dig it. the 78/79 “Malibu” styling was very handsome, and looks great on here. Somebody by this before I start circling around the BIN button..
Adios back tire.
All the hype about the 454 power, but not one picture of the engine bay? Shame on them.
Russ, if you click on “See full-size photos” you will see engine pics.
Big_Fun the wheels are probably from Wheel Vintiques, Jegs etc. Widening wheels are not terrible difficult. Increasing the diameter?=Very difficult.
It’s a nice stock looking El Camino. Adding another 500lbs of cast iron dead weight up front does nothing to help it. It’s probably a low compression dog with maybe 300hp anyway.
I had an 81 El-Camino, V-6 with a three speed, great car.
This one could also be a V-6. There are 24 photos in the ad and not one of the engine swap. That’s not the way to sell a vehicle.
Scroll down in the description and click “See full-size photos” — or just view the page with those photos here — plenty of engine (and undercarriage and more) pics to see there.
Sucker born every minute. The pedals tell you all you need to know about this glossed over rust bucket.
Did anyone else see the CHEVROLET Steering Wheel, No GMC on the tailgate…..LOOKS LIKE PART and PIECES Put Together….BUYER BEWARE
Incorrect year steering wheel, too. The A/G-bodies always had the dropped-spoke wheel first used in ’78 that found its’ way into all manner of midsize and larger Chevys through the ’80s. Almost always color-keyed rather than black, too.
Hard pass even if it wins the smoky burnout competition….then blows up the tranny,and or rear end,its stupid to put a 454 in such a small truck, unless your doing it up right for race or pro street,like they did back in the late 70s,early 80s.
I always thought it was a shame GMC didn’t put a Buick, Olds or Pontiac front clip, dash and interior into their version of the El Camino. Maybe they’d have sold a few more if it was a little more distinctive.
They probably determined there wasn’t enough potential extra market interest to justify a different front clip, and it was cheaper to just build these and the Chevys all on the same line at the same time and just slap different badges on them.
Basically, the market for El Caminos was pretty well-defined, and this gave GM a way to sell them in rural areas which didn’t have a local Chevy dealer, but did have GMC (usually paired with Pontiac, Buick or Olds).
How do people not know the model year of their vehicle??? This is a 1978 model, NOT 1979. The grill was the first indicator for me, and the serial number, 5W80l8D500411, confirmed it with the 6th digit, 8.
i likea 4th gen, this is OK too. The chevelle, Malibu Classic. Never thought I’d say that 40 yrs ago (esp asa ‘ford guy’). Got the curved back window, nice hdlghts (kinda wish they were stacked like the 3rd gen ’67 Fairlane Ranchero) and grill?
No rails, but the bed liner is excellent. Love the thin looking seats too. Russ sez dwn sized so I might even take it over “my ’76”. This is one I’d drive if the 305 were back in it (or even the 3.8 that was so good). Not due to the MPGs in this one. Just too big’n heavy, un-necessary, top displacement was never 4 me. I’d like the THM200-4R for that and my convenience (feels more homie, relaxed, yeah I drink coffee & sometimes drive w/food).