Vehicle Description
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 amp; 12
bolt rear end.The truck boasts the following specs:Built 454 V8 Big
Block engine with Edelbrock intakeTurbo 350 Automatic
TransmissionBuilt 12 Bolt Posi Traction Rear EndRear Sway Bar amp;
Boxed Control Arms amp; QA1 'Anti Hop' Upper ArmsPower
SteeringPower BrakesPower LocksTilt ColumnRemote Driver's
MirrorFront amp; Rear Bumper GuardsNew Dual Exhaust with Flowmaster
MufflersSS gauges including Tach amp; ClockRally WheelsRadio
DeleteShoulder BeltsIn 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 SPThis particular original
California model was built in the Van Nuys, Los Angeles, CA plant
and was sold at 'Motor City Sales amp; 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 amp; PB amp; a 12 bolt
Posi rear end!