West Coast Classics are proud to present an excellent daily driving example of this original California sold 1972 GMC Sprint SP Pick Up Truck in a striking 'Red' color and boasting a built 454 V8 engine with an Edelbrock intake, Turbo 350 automatic transmission & 12 bolt rear end.
The truck boasts the following specs:
Built 454 V8 Big Block engine with Edelbrock intake
Turbo 350 Automatic Transmission
Built 12 Bolt Posi Traction Rear End
Rear Sway Bar & Boxed Control Arms & QA1 'Anti Hop' Upper Arms
Power Steering
Power Brakes
Power Locks
Tilt Column
Remote Driver's Mirror
Front & Rear Bumper Guards
New Dual Exhaust with Flowmaster Mufflers
SS gauges including Tach & Clock
Rally Wheels
Radio Delete
Shoulder Belts
In 1971 GMC began producing the Sprint, their version of the Chevrolet El Camino. This light-duty pickup truck was identical to the El Camino except for the name and the chassis for both cars was based on the Chevrolet Chevelle station wagon/4-door sedan wheelbase. The GMC SP package, only offered on the Sprint Custom, was GMC's own equivalent of the Chevrolet SS package. It included the same features as the Chevrolet SS. The Sprint SP was an option package, RPO YE7, rather than a distinct model. Engines were an L48 350 4 barrel, LS3 400 (402) big block or the LS5 454/365HP big block. The top engine option in the Sprint was the LS5 454 which featured a forged steel crankshaft. Even with relatively low 8.5:1 compression, this motor was rated at 365 HP. This is the highest horsepower rating of any light-duty GMC ever produced.
GMC did not generally build the SP for dealer's stock. The only way to get one was to walk into the GMC dealer and order one with the "YE7" option selected. Because none were pictured in the literature, and none were available for inspection on the showroom floor, very few buyers (or dealers) were knowledgeable enough to know that such a thing was available.
Reportedly only 249 SPs were built in 1971. This total was determined by looking at GM RPO totals for the 1971 "Chevrolet" A-body cars. These RPO totals lumped the Monte Carlo, Chevelle, El Camino, and GMC Sprint together (because they were all built on the same assembly lines). Records show that 19,542 vehicles were built with RPO "PM7" (60 series white-letter tires). This option was installed only on the Chevelle SS, El Camino SS, and Sprint SP (but not on any Monte Carlos). Records also show that there were 19,293 vehicles built with RPO "Z15" (SS package). No Monte Carlos had the "Z15" package. Instead they had the "Z20" SS package. The Sprint SP also never had the "Z15" SS package. It had the RPO "YE7" SP package instead. By subtracting the Z15 total from the PM7 total, it is possible to determine exactly how many '71 GMC Sprint SPs were built (19,542 - 19,293 = 249).
Of the 249 '71 SPs built, it is estimated that 25 were the SP-454 version. 16 1971 SP-454s are believed to exist at the present time. The '72 Sprint SP finally received the quarter panel "SP" decals that were planned for '71, and there was now a service manual specific to the Sprint.
The '72 Sprint was little changed from the '71 model, with the only visible difference being the front grille. All of the options available on the '71 were available on the '72. Total production of '72 Sprints was up to 6,473. GMC made a stronger effort to promote the SP model this year. In fact, both of the Sprints pictured in the '72 Sprint sales brochure were the SP model. This resulted in higher sales of the SP model, up to 749 units this year. Of those, an estimated 114 were the SP-454. Although not quite as rare as the '71s, the '72 Sprints are seldom seen today let alone an SP
This particular original California model was built in the Van Nuys, Los Angeles, CA plant and was sold at 'Motor City Sales & Service' of Bakersfield, CA on 10/15/1971 and lived for most of its life in California until being sold to an Oregon state owner and still retains its original owner's manual and Protecto-plate. The condition of the truck is very good and there are no signs of any major accidents or rust and this truck has obviously always been well maintained.
This truck must be driven to be fully appreciated - the engine is extremely strong and responsive with excellent oil pressure and which sounds absolutely magnificent, the transmission shifts smoothly through the gears and the engine temperature always remains cool.
This is one very fine example of an increasingly collectible and desirable 1972 year of the GMC Sprint SP; a rare truck with no rust in rare turn-key ready, daily appreciating, daily driving and daily head-turning condition and an all time classic American muscle truck with a 454 Big Block V8 engine, PS & PB & a 12 bolt Posi rear end!
