With its three cylinders and turbo boost, this Nice Price or No Dice Chevy Sprint stands as the smallest hot hatch from its time. Now described as fully restored and a show winner, the question is how excited we feel about its asking price.

A triple threat

BMW is among several makers that have offered three-cylinder engines. First planned for the Mini lineup, the engine also appeared in the i8 sports car. Those days are over in the United States, with the i8 gone and Mini removing the triple from its North American range in 2024. For anyone seeking a three-cylinder option today, Ford, Chevy, Buick, Nissan, and Toyota provide choices. Or buyers could consider this 1987 Chevy Sprint Turbo, which is far smaller and easier to park than any current model.

With only 998 cubic centimeters across three cylinders, this Sprint also tops modern triples in fuel economy. The trade-off is clear: even with a turbocharger and intercooler drawing air through a narrow intake, the Sprint makes just 70 horsepower. That power reaches the wheels through a five-speed manual to get the most from the engine.

Joining a Cult-us

Before going further, note that although badged as a Chevy, Japan's Suzuki built the Sprint. The model carried many names across markets, such as the Swift, Forza, Pontiac Firefly, and Suzuki Cultus at home. In the United States it appeared first as the Chevy Sprint and Suzuki Swift. The following generation, launched in 1989, moved to GM's Geo brand as the Metro, while Suzuki kept the Swift name.

This example, finished in white over gray, is said to have received a careful restoration in 2012 that included fresh paint, correct decals, and seats re-covered in red rainbow cloth. Its seller calls it a cult favorite among fans of quirky 1980s cars. The car started in California and later carried Nevada plates, shown by its SPRNTIN tag. A Chevy-focused dealer in Aurora, Illinois, now lists it for sale.

Award winning

The older restoration still looks strong, though the claim of a first-place finish at the 2012 Japanese Classic Car Show in Long Beach rests on earlier achievements. More relevant here, the car shows a claimed 50,000 miles and includes working air conditioning along with the smallest tires imaginable. Those tires sit on steel wheels wearing plastic full covers that were unique to the Turbo model.

Extras include a rear hatch spoiler and an electric hatch release operated by a dash switch. The seller notes the dashboard was removed and professionally redone during the 2012 work. A Pioneer stereo with Bluetooth adds a modern touch, yet the rest of the cabin stays true to the 1980s, with the seat fabric standing out. A three-spoke wheel gives a sporty feel, while the tall shifter may remind drivers of hand-mixing cake batter on every shift.

Small car, big price tag?

Chevy's Sprint and its siblings were designed as disposable cars. Few examples remain today. The Turbo version sold in low numbers, making survivors even scarcer. That rarity adds appeal: this is not only a survivor but one refreshed to let new generations see what these cars offered. It is also a usable driver with a clean title and ready for the road.

The road may wait, however, because the asking price is ten thousand dollars. That figure sits roughly thirty percent above the original new-car price, and while the car has been restored and maintained, any new-car scent has long since disappeared.

What do you think? Does this Chevy's rarity and award-winning condition justify the ten-thousand-dollar price, or does that figure mean the Sprint has already run its course? You decide!