At first glance, this 1974 GMC Sprint might not look like anything particularly special, unless you are a rabid fan of General Motors car/truck hybrids. The GMC version of Chevy’s El Camino, however, was never made in any great numbers; in fact, only 4,873 Sprints were built in 1974. Of those, how many had a 454? With factory air? A dozen or two? That makes the asking price of this one – $11,000 – seem like a heck of a deal. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Tony Primo for finding it on Chicago’s craigslist and sending it our way. (A city is not listed, but the advertisement’s URL implies that the car is located in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.)
Here’s that 454, presenting itself as if the mileage claim of 90,000 might be accurate. While the 454 was not the solid-lifter hero engine of 1970, it still made 235 net horsepower and a prodigious 360 lb.-ft. of torque. When paired with the Turbo 400 as this one is, the standard rear axle ratio was 2.73:1, and a 3.42:1 gear was optional.
Unfortunately, this Sprint doesn’t have the optional 90-degree swivel bucket seats, but it is fairly well-optioned; in addition to A/C, it has a tilt wheel, power steering, power brakes, and rally wheels. The brown interior complements the Cream Beige (an accurate but boring name) exterior well: it’s just right for a ’70s car (although I’d prefer something a little more exciting than beige, maybe Sandstone or Taupe?).
It’s important when you’re buying a car from the Midwest to check the undercarriage, and fortunately, the seller of this one put the Sprint on a lift to show us how solid the frame and floors are. As you might expect, the 454 breathes through a pair of exhaust pipes that also appear to be in good condition.
Colonnade GM A-bodies haven’t always been the favorites of car collectors, but I’ve always felt that the styling lent itself well to the El Camino and the GMC Sprint; in fact, it’s my favorite of the car/truck hybrids, and that’s saying something when the 1964-72 models are hanging out there judging me for my comment, not to mention all those Rancheros. A few of these run around town where I live, and I’m always a bit tempted to find one for myself. If you’re looking for a big-block hauler with rarity and good maintenance on its side, maybe this Sprint will do.
The listing has been deleted by the author, which likely means it has sold. The asking price seemed very reasonable, you can’t touch a 1972 and earlier El Camino, regardless of engine size in similar condition for $11,000. The 454 makes for a good cruiser, its appeal has more to do with it not being the typical, nor expected small block. This body style will continue to gain in popularity due their lower price compared to a lot of earlier vintage cars.
The quick sale is the latest example of how good deals don’t last.
Steve R
Not surprised the listing is gone. Like Steve stated, it seemed fairly priced for a clean ride with a BBC. I see many complain about the classic market and cars not selling, the fact is, if they’re priced competitively, they sell.
The market is cyclical, every fall there is a slow down, there aren’t as many car related activities, schools are back in session, bills from summer vacations/activities are coming due. Many of the people complaining about a pending collapse in the market have been doing so every fall for years. The market is always changing, it may be cooling off, but it typically picks up in late winter and early spring as people prepare for the warm weather. One thing is for sure, selective buyers that are willing to put in the work are the ones that get most of the good deals.
Steve R
Nice find Primo. Somebody scored themselves a great deal!
Good write up on a cool car Toth 👍
Thanks, Stan!
My dad had a 1972 Chevy truck with a 454 & of course I was allowed to drive it when I got my license on weekends when he didn’t need it but I never drove it far as The stories of single digit gas mileage are true especially if you did burnouts! Was a nice one for sale.
What a great car and price. Always liked the body style, and even like this paint.
About 1981 a friend bought a identical one with a 350. He was a heavy drinker, and went mad over a dash squeak. Drunk he attacked the dash and tore it up trying to get the squeak. Poor truck. Always wondered how his life turned out.
If this GMC “Elky” is as clean as it looks, someone got a super deal. They look good and have a lot of capability. They make a great tow vehicle and a great light duty truck, or just a great driver. The 1974 still had the good breathing oval port heads and a solid 400 Turbo.
My cousin had a 73 Chevy pick up with a 454. I borrowed it one time to help a co worker who had just bought a used Datsun 280Z. The motor in the Datsun was bad and we taking the old motor down to where he bought the replacement a core charge. Well with that old motor in the bed of the truck at an intersection I wanted to see what the Chevy would do so I floored it. The next think I knew the tires started smoking and I than heard this loud crash. I looked back and the Datsun engine knocked over the tail gate and was sitting on the ground. We went back and picked it up and continued on our way. It was the only time I ever borrowed his truck. It was also the only truck I ever saw that had two fuel tanks. I never asked him what his gas mileage was but his father told me a time or two he’d wish his son had never bought that truck.
If it’s a 454 Sprint the air cleaner decal should read, INVADER 454, NOT that crossed-flags Chevy decal.
Took @ least a 7K bite from what it sold for on Sept. 20th, 2023.
greybeard, you and I must of had the same type of friends, I had one that stomped the radio out of a 73 Duster because it wouldn’t turn on one drunken night. That one ended up in prison for a year or so over shenanigans like that. We thought we had his keys but he had another set inside the car that we didn’t know he had. That was 40 years ago and he still has anger issues