91 Chevy Sprint Convertible
This is my toy. It is a 91 Chevy Sprint Convertible (called a Geo Metro in the US that year). In March 98, I bought this car in pretty rough shape. The list of fixes to the engine and body are very long. The engine required a rebuild as an exhaust valve had burned out. The car had only 113K kilometers on it.
The finish on the body and hubcaps is Dupont Yellow with Chanpagne Pearl and several coats of clearcoat. Wilson Refinishing in Port Perry, Ontario did the body work. To finish off the exterior new Pirelli P200 Aquachrono tires and a new top were added.
I have always loved this car since it appeared and was disappointed when it was discontinued in 1993. Few of them were made. While the car is basically a Suzuki, it was made in the GM plant in Ontario, Canada. I also own a 92 Geo Metro 4 door which was bought new for my wife. 246K kilometers later, it still runs like a champ requiring only 4.6 L/100 kilometers.
The limited production of convertibles caused some restoration problems. The first was replacing the top. The one that came with the car was missing the rear molded window. An original GM top was only $275 Cdn so one was ordered. The first top that came was almost 2 inches too small. After discussions with a GM representative, a new top was sent. He commented that due to the very limited number of cars made, no additional tops had been made and the replacement top sent was probably 6 or more years old. While installing the second top was very tedious, it fit like a champ. Fortunately none of the top mechanism was damaged as a new top including hardware is over $6,000 Cdn.
The interior was in pretty good shape except for the light and wiper switches. The mechanic that did the previous work, glued the tops back on when the came off and glued one of the switches into place. This took lots of work to undo. The most recent work was to recover the visors. The original ones are a wire frame with a styrofoam interior and a vinyl exterior. Over the course of the 7 years, the styrofoam had disintegrated. I cut the covers off and used black vinyl with a new synthetic batten interior. Many of the vinyl pieces on the car were badly worn so I have been resewing and replacing them.
Since these pictures were taken I have added a hood bra. As I live on a farm and commute long distance, the front of my cars take a real beating. Actually the cover looks quite nice and doesn’t destroy the appearance of the car. Mud flaps were added to protect the paint due to the dirt roads I drive daily.
I would sure love to hear from other fans of the Chevy Sprint (Geo Metro) Convertible.
(Originally written on April 23, 1998)
I sold my Sprint in 2005 and replaced it with a lime green Smart Cabrio.
23 Comments
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Here’s me in 1992 Geo Metro “Yellinore” she’s an automatic, my “New” one is exactly the same but manual, I’ve named her “Birdie”.
I’ll be selling Yellinore in the spring for someone else to get a kick out of!!!!😎
Thanks Lisa
Belleville, Ontario
Hi Rich, I have owned 2 -1992 yellow geo metros convertible 25 years apart. I just bought a yellow 1991 Chevy sprint convertible. I love these cars❤️❤️❤️ They are fun, cheap to purchase and repair and super cheap on gas. They are very nostalgic. Every time I’m out and about someone pulls up in a lane beside me to say they remember and love the car. I have a question for you. This is the first one that the steering wheel is so high I’m having a hard time seeing over it! (Maybe I’m shrinking???) I can not figure out how to tilt it down. Nothing is mentioned in the manual. Do you, or anyone, know how I can do this? I really don’t want to sit on a pillow 🤪. Thanks Lisa
Lisa
I don’t recall the Sprint having a tilting steering wheel. I do seem to recall removing the 2 bolts that hold the steering column and inserting a few washers then rebolting to lower the wheel. I like a lower wheel also.
The wheel may not be higher but the seat may be lower. On older cars the seat spring and foam can collapse. If you are the only driver you could stuff some foam under the seat.
I did love that car. I remember replacing the alternator on the side of the road when it died. Try that with a modern car. 🙂
Rich
I need a windshield for 91 sprint convertable any one know where I can get one???
Sean
Vancouver BC Canada
sstranahan70@gmail.com
Does anyone have one for sale ? I would love to have my first car back 🙂
Contact me at nicklepennycleaning@gmail.com
Please! 289-795-3465
I loved my sprint. I gave mine away years ago. There is one locally in Uxbridge, ON. The biggest problem with sprints/metros was they rusted like crazy. I had a 92 Metro for my wife and when we got rid of it the drivetrain was fine with over 300,000 kms (180,000 miles) but the body was about to fall off
Not easy to find anymore
I have a ‘91 sprint convertible also. Bought in 1998, and still loved ..Stored in Winter and has 111,000 km and hums like a sewing machine …Most heard comment : “ It’s soooooo cute “….( love it to pieces)
no mechanical problems !
I sold my 91 Sprint many years ago. It was such a fun car and so simple. My current yellow toy is a 2012 Camaro but in some ways the Sprint was more fun with the top down.
Have had a lot of hot autos over the years but nothing has reached people like my little baby blue 91 sprint rag top. Ya its a woosie little car but the attention it draws just blows you away. More people just walk over and talk to ya about it than anything i have ever driven. They are definitely a Whoot to drive in the hot humid summer days and evenings. Yes stored all winter.
1991 convertible. If someone lives close and may be interested call or wright as I has many other cars and don’t really need this..I just like it.. 3500.00 or trade jet ski…0r 58 to 64 Chevy or Pontic need frame and engine ,,body not important or try ruswallden@hotmail.com
604 319 4554
I have been reading all these storys, I guess I am fortunate my Metro has 274,000 on it I am the second owner and mine has a good roof. no rust (at all) and I know it has not been restored as I do restorations
I just went thru air ..the readouts were good..It passes.
has 5 speed over drive and great steering.I live in Mission B.C.
RUS 604 319 4554 or email for pic
colortraktools@gmail.ca
I have a 1992 Chevy Metro LSI convertible, bought it new and it only has 113000 kms on it. I bought it new 20 yrs ago and it is stored every winter and only use it for July and August. The best little car you can ask for plan on keeping it for another 20 yrs.
I loved my sprint. It was a hoot to drive. The car was so simple I actually replaced the alternator on the side of the road when it died.
I have a 91 Sprint Convertible (red) .Top is new and body is great inside and out.
It has been stored for 9/10 years so would need some restoration but it was stored carefully and was running well at that time.
Would be interested in selling!
Do you still have your Geo for sale?
Sorry, that was written in 1998. I just posted it to my blog in 2007. I gave that car away in about 2005.
Okay. For some reason, I had the impression that you still had your car, Rich.
Don’t know about 4 down towing. I have the official manual but got rid of it years ago when I sold the car. Sorry
Thanks for your reply, Rich. Do you happen to know if the 1991 Chevy Sprint (5 speed manual) can be towed “four down” by an rv? Most of the long list of cars that are basically the same can be (automatics need an LP-2, whatever that is) but everyone says “look in your manual” and I don’t have one.
The one that was too small was just old stock. They pulled another from inventory and it worked fine.
The convertible was not very popular so it is not surprising the manual doesn’t cover it.
We recently bought a 1991 Chevy Sprint convertible. It needs a new top and we are wondering why the Geo Metro convertible doesn’t fit (is that the one that was 2″ too small?). Also, we found a manual online that says its for the 1991 Pontiac Firefly/1991 Chevy Sprint (doesn’t say anything about convertible). Unlikely those were made in Canada but we thought it would be handy anyway.
Any comments appreciated.
Mark
I am impressed that you kept your sprint on the road for 16 years. I gave mine away several years ago to my daughter’s then boyfriend. That was my first convertible.
Have you tried GM? I think it will be a challenge to find aftermarket panels or skins. I know when I did mine GM was the only place to get a new top other than having one made. The sprint convertible didn’t sell well so there do not have a large following.
A good body man could cut out the problem door areas and braze in new metal. I had to have that done on mine.
In Aug 1991 I took a new 91 sprint convertible out for a test drive. My wife took out the 4 door. We decided to get her the 4 door and I would get the convertible next year. Then I found out 91 was the last year for the car. When I bought mine a few years later it was in bad shape. The engine had to be rebuilt and there were many other problems. I had a blast with the car and it started me on a roll of convertibles.
FYI Vancouver Island is the highest concentration of smart cars in Canada for the same reason you love your sprint – economy. My current car is a smart cabrio.
Hello Rich
We bought our Sprint Converible new in 1991. The car is still very reliable, but requires a bit of a refit. Over the years we have replaced the engine, had the rag top rear window restitched,and other smaller items repaired, or replaced, ie hub caps, etc. The time has come to shine the old penny up so to speak.
I was wondering if you could recommend any sites or companies that may carry various body parts, the car doors are starting to rust at the bottom, inside portion, and the plastic bumpers have absorbed a full life of honest wear and tear.
Karen and I live on Vancouver Is and enjoy the economy that the car offers.
There is not much on the road these days that offer as much as this little car. Many people have inquired about purchasing the vehicle, but my wife in adament that we not sell her.
Your vehicle looks well looked after.
Thankyou
Mark Cunningham