A storm’s a-brewing in today’s listings!
Thirty years ago, General Motors built a hopped-up sport utility vehicle based on the midsized GMC Jimmy. The “Typhoon” hit the streets optioned with unique bodywork, color-keyed bumpers, special wheels, and – most importantly – a performance drivetrain.
The Pick of the Day is a low-mileage 1992 GMC Typhoon listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Mattawa, Washington. (Click the link to view the listing)
“69,630 original miles. Completely stock condition,” the listing states. “Recent very nice repaint of original color.”
The Typhoon’s secret sauce sat underneath the hood: There lived a turbocharged 4.3-liter V6 that was good for 280 horsepower at 4,400 rpm and 350 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm. Power was transferred to all four corners through a four-speed 4L60 automatic transmission. Despite weighing in at 3,822 pounds, the SUV was good for a 5.3-second run to 60 and a quarter-mile finish time of 14.1 seconds.
You may have not ever seen one of these on the road. There were fewer than ten pre-production Typhoons produced in 1991, with the bulk of the units being produced subsequently for model years 1992 and 1993. A total of 4,697 were produced across those three years combined. This one comes in Apple Red with a gray interior (although the leather looks to be more charcoal or black in the photos).
Worth noting: Alongside the Typhoon was a GMC Sonoma pickup called the “Syclone” which came with the same engine and transmission. As capable as the Typhoon and Syclone were on the street or track, GMC made it clear that the vehicles were not designed for off-road use. A warning label inside the Syclone reportedly said, “This vehicle is not intended for off-road use. The reduced height of this vehicle will not allow it to clear obstacles commonly encountered in an off-road environment.”
Even though its truck-like credentials were limited, the Typhoon did have a self-leveling rear suspension that could help offset any added cargo weight in the rear compartment. Maybe that hauling capability could be put to use by installing a subwoofer enclosure for the AM/FM/CD audio system.
“Clean Carfax, garage-kept, elderly adult-owned,” the listing concludes.
If you’re a collector looking for what could be the “perfect storm,” this low-mileage Typhoon is worth a closer look. The asking price is $26,000 or best offer.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
92’s never came Red/Red, so if it was originally Apple Red/Argent Grey, (or any other top color), the cladding has been painted. Nice truck! And they are quick.