Q: Greg, I purchased a 1987 GMC Caballero Amarillo in very good original condition. The vehicle has 45,000 miles on it and had been in storage for 10 years. I had it cleaned, serviced, inspected and had a professional touch up of a few rust spots. I also had a cap installed, which is painted to match.
I have found that GMC only produced the Caballero vehicles from 1978 through 1987. Is there anything you can tell me about this vehicle and its approximate value? I am attaching two photos - one before the cap and one after.
Thanks, Lynn B. a retired farmer from Rome Pa.
A: Lynn, I'm happy to help. The GMC Caballero is a sibling of the Chevy El Camino, which was introduced to much fanfare in 1959 and 1960. The El Camino didn't reappear until 1964 on a Chevelle chassis, and was produced every year thereafter until 1987.
As for GMC involvement, it's first El Camino sibling arrived in 1971 and was called the GMC Sprint, although it was identical to the El Camino sans the badges.
General Motors renamed its GMC Sprint the GMC Caballero in 1978, and production ran until the 1987 model year.
The Amarillo models were two-tone paint variations, similar to the El Camino Conquest package. Caballero interiors featured a bench seat in the standard model, although bucket seats with a center console and floor-mounted shifter were available.
Cloth or vinyl upholstery was the norm, and offered in a variety of colors. The year 1987 was the end of the line for GM's car like pickup, with the exception of 425 unsold 1987 El Caminos, which were sold as 1988 models.
As for value, your GMC Caballero is worth probably in the $8,800 to $9,500 area, although some price guides list Caballeros like yours as high as $14,000. Remember, these are estimates and my opinion, and some GMC collectors may be willing to pay more, some less. However, don't be surprised to see a quick sale come in the $9,000 to $9,500 range.
Thanks for your letter and photos, and you've got a great GMC Caballero on your hands.