This 1987 Chevrolet Sprint Turbo needs more graphics, in my opinion. Some tiny Sprint Turbo lettering on the rear of each side isn’t enough, especially for the 1980s when graphics ruled the day. That’s likely of little importance for most people bidding on this car here on Hagerty Auctions. It’s located in North Las Vegas, Nevada, and the current bid price is $3,500 with four days left on the auction.
White and red were the only two colors available for these interesting little cars. They all came with full white wheel covers, no matter which of the two colors a buyer wanted. I can’t help to compare the Chevy Sprint Turbo with Suzuki’s other pocket rocket, the Alto Works RS/R. The Sprint was a Suzuki Cultus under the badging, but only came in front-wheel drive, unlike the Alto Works. This car has been repainted, according to the auction listing.
The Suzuki Cultus-based Sprint Turbo was offered in the U.S. from 1985 through 1988, with an update coming in 1986. The Sprint Turbo only came in this two-door body style, but the naturally aspirated Sprint was available with four doors. The turbo version came along for the 1987 model year. Here’s what the rear cargo space under the hatchback looks like. A common issue is the sagging luggage cover, and you can see the creative solution in that photo.
The interior looks great in this car, maybe because the seats have been recovered in NOS fabric. The dash was also removed and restored, but they say the steering wheel isn’t perfect. Here is the very cool seat fabric on the bottom of the driver’s seat, and the back seat looks like new as well. They say the air-conditioning blows cold so that’s good news.
The clean engine compartment is where the Suzuki G10 1.0-liter SOHC inline-three lives, and it has 70 horsepower and 107 lb-ft of torque. Backed by a five-speed manual sending power to the front wheels, they say this car was restored in 2012 and has been with the current owner since 2011. Have any of you driven or owned a Chevy Sprint Turbo?
I still remember the very first time I saw a Chevy Sprint, it was in a magazine. And I wanted one. These were a far cry from what I was driving at the time. A ’70 Olds 98 4 door hardtop in 3 different shades of reef turquoise and 2 different shades of primer. But I just wanted one. And after seeing this one, I still do. They did a nice job fixing this up it looks great inside and out Thanks for the memories Scotty. I really enjoyed this.
I never owned one but I did learn to drive stick on a non-turbo and later owned a Geo Metro.
The Geo Metro was made in Canada, and the quality was not as good as the Suzuki’s. aka, Chevy Sprint.
I had both for delivery cars. The Geo was made like an American car, which it was.
Suzuki G10 is a three cylinder.
Fffffffudge. Thanks for catching that, macvaugh.
Spool up âŠī¸ and floor it. đđ đ
A Chevy Spirit TURBO, ( whistles), who was sportin’ that kind of cash? Ah, the 80s, when turbocharging was the seemingly perfect add on to bolster sagging performance. Tim Taylor turbocharged his lawnmower,I think. Anyway, my point, is turbochargers turned up in the most unlikely places, like here. 1st, these were a 3 cylinder, and 2nd they weren’t cheap. I read, this car cost almost $8grand new, about the same as a Corolla, but, the “hair dryer” did boost this cars performance, from lackluster to 0-60 in 9.5sec and the 1/4 mile in 17.2, it was claimed to have a 104 mph top speed,,unheard of times in a “regular” Spirit. The turbo added 20hp and almost cut the times in half. Sadly, the turbo cut the mileage in half as well, as, while non-turbos claimed 50 mpg, the turbo was in the 30s. The turbo and options added almost $2GRAND and I’m not sure it was worth it. While the Spirit was a good seller, some sites say less than 100 turbos were sold,,,still meh,,,
My 87 Turbo Sprint got WAY better than 30
mpg, about 40mpg.
SPRINT, not Spirit.
AMC on the mind. It’s a regional thing.
I drove one at a friend’s wedding. One of the bridesmaids owned one and four of us loaded up to get to the reception. It got us there fairly well and remember the car was loaded to capacity. Wasn’t neck snapping but for its size was trying to be nimble!
See a few of the Chevy “Sonic” turbos running around here. They look like they may be fun. Adding the “hairdryer” lol as Howard says, adds some punch to any econobox.
I bought a white one New in 87.
No A/C in Southern California.
Had ac8 gallon fuel tank.
I could drive from Riverside CA. to Vegas on one tank of gas!!
Was that turbo set up something a guy could put on a samurai?
Like the idea of these. For a city car you need nothing more. But I watched the engine running video and it did not sound good. Surprisingly quiet in the cabin though.
So let’s see- somebody made this car lighter?
That’s what ” lightening ” means.
I spotted and posted this to BF shortly after the Geo Metro posting where someone said that they could not imagine anyone making a 3 cylinder turbo. I posted about the Sprint Turbo existing, and just like that, one shows up for auction.
A coworker had one of these. Quick and fun to drive but if you didn’t change the oil frequently that little 3 cylinder would burn out way before its time.
I had a red 1987 with no A/C took it with me to Europe, drove it flat out from Bremerhaven, Germany to my Base in Italy 1,500 miles in 15 hours WITH multiple stops along the way. Loved mine. Transmissions didn’t like me though, wore out 2 in 1ook miles couldn’t get less than 39 mpg in mine if I tried
SOLD for 7K.