Is it worth getting excited about a vehicle you know well simply because it bears a different badge? That’s the question before you as you ponder whether it’s worth getting excited about this 1977 GMC Sprint SE, which is basically an El Camino SS with a different badge. For the seasoned GM collector, it may be worth fussing over considering not many of these re-badged pickup truck twins exist today. Find the GMC here on eBay with a Buy-It-Now of $2,950.
The seller has listed the Sprint with an opening bid of $1,950 but hasn’t found any takers yet. Personally, I love the idea of owning a vehicle that is the less-often seen variant of a popular model. I own a ’97 Lexus LX450, which is basically an 80-series Toyota Land Cruiser with a different badge. Is it a huge difference? Not at all. But knowing it was produced in far lower quantities makes it more unique, in my opinion, and if nothing else, I enjoy owning a version of the truck you see far less frequently.
The Sprint SP is a project that’s been sitting for 15 years, and while it may very well be the SS of the GM lineup, the seller doesn’t let on as to what makes this truck the more muscular spec. Even if it was solely cosmetic in nature, it’s hard to tell exactly what you got for checking the SP box option. Regardless, this Sprint is a bit of a mystery all around as it doesn’t run and the seller seems to have spent very little time messing with it since bringing it home. It does appear complete, if nothing else.
With a venerable 350 under the hood, getting this Sprint to run again shouldn’t be an overtly complex task. And even if the engine is locked up, ripping it out and dropping in a new crate engine is a no brainer if you’re committed to bringing it back to life. The seller doesn’t say much about how extensive rust is or isn’t in the body or floors, so hopefully that means it’s not significant enough to warrant mentioning. It does have a clear title, so you have that going for you if you decide to bring this El Camino twin home.
Best be schooled in bodywork. Lots of rust and NLA parts here.
When I was a teenager with a paper route, one of my customers had a previous-generation GMC Sprint. It was an oddity even then, and I don’t know that I’ve ever seen more than a handful. This has to be worth taking on just for the fact it’s not another El Camino.
This base 350 auto “SP” optioned Sprint is a far cry from the ones that could be configured when introduced in 1971.
IMO, making any 1977 “SP” vs.”SS” option rarity/value comparison is about as worthwhile as comparing the letter designations between an Astro and a Safari.
(IMO) This is just a grille change away from being one of the ugliest El Camino
bodies produced; in this case, “rare” doesn’t add any value for me! GLWTA!! :-)
I had a ’77 SS, and I think it’s the best looking body style of
all. Wish I still had it.
I bought a 77 new (with the vacuum gauge for “optimum fuel economy”), and except that it had less horsepower than my wife’s vacuum (and it had no rain gutters, a necessity in Miami) I had zero problems with it.
what ????
I never cared for any of the stacked square headlight cars, but that’s just an easy swap out to a round light header panel .
Unless you really, really wanted a 77 GMC Sprint to restore ,I dont think this is any more than a parts car
iam a elcamino guy have 9 and a 77 sprint they just dont bring the money they call the fat body yet i have 72 gmc sprint and at least every few days some one wants it but not for sale love my caminos looking for a 59 and 60 with uin reason ben in fl
Always felt it was lazy for GMC not to have used a B-O-P front clip and interior on these since the parts were already there.
ben here in fl elcamino last post not to many want the fat body i just sold not bad body i pulled drive train and it was a gmc sprint had it on face book market place before i pulled drive train sold the rollor with clear title 600 bucks not many want them