1979 GMC Caballero Diablo

[1979GMCDi@blo]

Hi,

While searching the internet for information on my new ride I often end up here, but I've been left wanting more.

I would like to show you what I found; living in a barn for 15 years, for no other reason than to start a discussion and maybe see more of them.
As far as i can tell it is all original down to the am radio, 305 V8, and the TH350 transmission. With only 72000 Kilometers the factory jack and the spare tire have never been used.

The paint is not perfect and there is the odd little dent here and there, the worst seen in the photo.

The plan was to create a monster. Custom Leather interior, 350/383/400 v8 with the big cowl hood or maybe a Fuel injected restomod type thing, but I cant bring myself to change anything.
I was able to install an aftermarket air filter and an alpine cassette deck and equalizer with out doing any irreversible damage.

Im not sure how to proceed with this, My heart beats a little harder when she is near.

What would you do?

 

[TURNA]

Nice camino like that I would leave exterior and interior alone and just build a nice drivable/enjoyable drivetrain

 

[Tuffregal83]

Nice ride I'm with Turna engine swap And good to go. Non a/c car too
I had a Alpine like that back in the day
And you can't go wrong with some good ole Dio

 

[Doug Chahoy]

Use it as is while saving alot of $$$$ . You’ll get tired of all the 70s flaws . Lack of power, lousy brakes, suspension, steering. A nice set of 15 to 17 inch wheels and tires will make a big improvement. IMO I’d rather leave the stock hood than go with a WAY TO COMMIN cowl hood. If you plan on keeping it for a while, drive it and tackle one phase at a time. I found a 79 with 77,000 rust free miles 3 years ago and have changed just about EVERYTHING. Make it what you enjoy.

 

[fleming442]

Sweet old Alpine gear!!!
I agree about the cosmetics, leave it. And, about the drivability improvements.

 

[O. D. Showtime]

I agree with the other members about leaving it cosmetically alone...adding a little more performance engine wise. I believe the numbers on the 79 Caballero were pretty low...somewhere around 6900. Although pretty much a decal pkg Diablo numbers have to be pretty low.

 

[TURNA]

What do you mean by a monster interior?

Monster the drink??

 

[O. D. Showtime]

You mentioned kilometers...are you in Canada? There is a service...can't recall the name right now. When I had them check into my 79 El Camino Royal Knight...I found that it was 1 of 246 Royal Knights imported into Canada for 79.

 

[88AZSS]

Love that green light Alpine. Nice looking Camino. Im on board with the rest, spruce up the drivability part and leave the rest alone. Welcome to the Forum

 

[clean8485]

Is the exterior photo of the actual vehicle that you have? If so, it looks great! I agree with others here, that you really shouldn't change anything-to me, it would be a sin to alter something that looks that nice. Maybe some bigger wheels and tires (but not too big), and drive it. I'm sure that there will be some people out there who have never seen that particular model (or maybe never even heard of one).