Long before today’s crop of high-performance SUVs, GMC was toying with racy versions of its compact wagons to set them apart from the growing herd of competitors.
The Pick of the Day is the most radical of the breed, a 1992 GMC Typhoon that not only underscores GM’s proclivity for naming vehicles after natural disasters but offers surprisingly strong acceleration and boundless traction.
The Typhoon is a real factory hot rod in an unusual package. Basically, it’s a GMC Jimmy equipped with a turbocharged 4.3-liter V6 capable of 280 horsepower and maximum torque of 360 pound-feet, making the small two-door truck able to sprint from 0-60 in just over 5 seconds, according to contemporary reviews.
Add to that a lowered and stiffened suspension, full-time all-wheel drive with a variable viscous coupling, Borg-Warner 4-speed automatic transmission, upgraded brakes and steering, and an array of air dams, spoilers, sport-infused paint and a set of 16-inch alloy wheels.
“What a concept!” says the Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, collector car dealer advertising the Typhoon on ClassicCars.com. “It took years for the market to catch up, but today high-performance SUVs are available from everyone from Porsche to Bentley, to Jaguar and Rolls Royce.
“The turbocharged 4.3L V6 was among the most powerful available in ‘92, and the Typhoon, being a somewhat small and lightweight vehicle, could really perform.”
The SUV apparently has just 37,000 miles on it, according to the dealer’s lettering on the windshield, and it looks to be in terrific condition overall. These special-edition trucks were not huge sellers when new, and it’s rare to find a Typhoon in such nice shape.
“This one has a handsome gray leather interior and amenities like power steering with tilt wheel, power windows, power locks and bucket seats with center console,” the dealer notes. “The bright-red paint with gray ground effects and aluminum wheels and wide tires let you know this is a special package.”
This beefy little truck commands a fairly beefy price tag, at $32,400. But try to find another clean, low-mileage example of this unique GMC.
The Typhoon is a seldom-seen piece of muscle car history, which is certain to turn heads at car shows and events, and as the dealer notes: “With this one is the added perk that you won’t see a dozen vehicles just like yours every day.”
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Always thought they should’ve made a 4 door version and the extended cab version of the Syclone. Awesome machines for their time though.