GM's other El Camino.....

We all know the Chevy El Camino debuted in 1959, was built for two seasons ( '59-60 ) on the Impala chassis,then took a hiatus and was re-introduced in 1964 on the Chevelle chassis. It was very popular and production ran from 1964-1988 when the rear-drive "G" bodies were discontinued. Like their Chevelle brothers, the 1968-72 models are the most popular. Anyhow-I had someone ask me what a GMC Sprint was. Again-we all know Chevy and GMC trucks are identical except for badging and minor trim differences. In 1971 GM started selling re-badged El Caminos through Pontiac /  GMC dealers under the "Sprint" nameplate. I always thought they'd have way been cooler if they had GTO / Lemans front clips and Pontiac engines, but GM just sold the Chevy version with minor trim changes. All the El Camino options were available including the 402 and 454 V8s. They were basically unchanged in 1972. In 1973 GM redesigned the "A" body intermediates and the Elky / Sprint bodystyle was changed as well. The 402 was dropped, but the 350 and 454 V8s were still available. They also added new options like swivel bucket seats. '74 was pretty much the same as '73. 1975 was when everyone went to catalytic converters and unleaded gas. This killed everyone's performance. The 454 was dropped,leaving the only engines a 350 and the added 400 small-block. Things were pretty much the same through '77.   In 1978 GM downsized the intermediates and for some reason started calling them "G" bodies instead of "A" bodies. These new models were much sleeker and better looking, and were 600 lbs lighter than the '73-77 models they replaced. And since you could still get a 350 4bbl V8 with either a 4-speed or a TH350, performance was actually noticeably improved. '78 was the year they changed the name from "Sprint" to "Caballero."  1979 and 1980 models were virtually unchanged. In 1981 the 350 was dropped, so now the biggest engine you could get was a 305 V8 that wheezed out 150 hp. Yuk. The 4-speed automatic was introduced this year and was supposed to help performance and fuel economy but it really didn't. We all know-stock or modified a 350 makes way more power and torque than a 305, and doesn't really use any more gas. In 1984 Chevy models got a sales boost when they put the Monte Carlo SS front end and badging on the El Camino and called it-duh-El Camino SS, but the GMC guys didn't get this option. Things went basically unchanged until the demise of both lines in 1988. Here's where I think GM screwed the pooch and missed a huge sales opportunity. They could have very easily put the Buick Regal front clip on the GMC model and installed the badass Turbo V6 from the Grand National and called it Grand National Sprint. It would have sold like hot cakes. Anyway if you want a Sprint / Caballero there out there. They seem to have been bought mostly by older people so they will be better maintained and less abused than their El Camino cousins. Other than paying more for something being in better condition-I wouldn't spend any more money on one-than I would an Elky-there's really nothing special about them other than the GMC badging. But they make nice drivers and good hot rods. There's more speed equipment for small and big-block Chevys than there is for anything else on the planet, and any suspension or brake upgrades that fit a Chevelle / Malibu / Monte Carlo fit these.  Mastermind