When the subject turns to high-performance models, SUVs don’t typically sit at the top of most people’s list. However, growing sales volumes made it inevitable that manufacturers would seek a slice of the muscle market. This 1992 GMC Typhoon is a perfect example of this thinking. The company chose a turbocharged V6 to produce a vehicle that will frighten many muscle cars. The seller claims it has a genuine 84,000 miles on its odometer, and their price looks highly competitive in a market where values are slowly creeping upward.

GMC introduced the Typhoon in 1992, although it built six pre-production examples in 1991. It remained in production until the end of 1993, with 4,697 buyers handing over their cash to drive one home. The first year was the most successful, with a sales total of 2,497. Buyers could select from nine paint and plastic trim combinations in 1992, with Black over Black the most popular choice at 1,262. This Typhoon presents well for its age, but there are a few minor paint imperfections. There are no horrendous issues, with the appearance comfortably acceptable for a survivor-grade classic. The panels are straight, and the supplied images confirm this dry-climate classic is rust-free. The new owner might refurbish or replace the 16″ alloy wheels because they appear stained. A high-quality polish might bring them back, but I would be unsurprised if they require professional attention to return to as-new condition. The plastic hasn’t suffered due to UV exposure, and the glass looks flawless.

Life aboard a Typhoon was never going to be unpleasant or uncomfortable, with GMC adding enough motoring tinsel to make occupants feel special. These creature comforts include air conditioning, power windows, power locks, cruise control, an AM/FM radio/cassette player, and leather on the seats, door trims, tilt wheel, and shifter knob. The interior makes a positive first impression, with the leather exhibiting little beyond the typical age wrinkles. There are minor dirty marks on the outer edges, but a deep clean might eliminate these. The biggest problem facing the buyer is the cracked dashtop. This is unsurprising considering the Typhoon’s location, and a $60 cover would hide the crack and prevent further deterioration. During an admittedly brief online search, I failed to locate a new replacement, although I found a pristine secondhand one for $700. It might be worth regularly scouring the local pick-a-part because the buyer might strike gold. Otherwise, this interior appears to need little.

The sinister paint, raked stance, and large wheels hint that the Typhoon might offer something special under the driver’s right foot, and GMC delivered. They equipped the engine bay with the same 4.3-liter V6 that powered the Syclone. Adding a turbocharger, intercooler, and numerous internal upgrades produced an engine churning out 280hp and 350 ft/lbs of torque. There is no point in having mountains of power if the vehicle can’t effectively apply it to Planet Earth. Therefore, GMC equipped the Typhoon with a four-speed 4L60 automatic transmission and a Borg Warner 4472 transfer case that split power delivery between the back and front wheels 65:35. The result was impressive performance, with the company claiming a ¼-mile ET of 15.1 seconds. However, contemporary motoring journalists had little trouble wiping a second from that figure. The seller confirms this classic recently received a front-end rebuild but that the rest of the mechanical components are original and in excellent health. It runs and drives perfectly and is ready for summer fun with a new owner behind the wheel.

This 1992 GMC Typhoon isn’t perfect, but it is a clean and tidy turnkey classic the seller has listed here on eBay in Liberty Hill, Texas. They set their price at $24,900 with the option to make an offer. The price is competitive in the current market, although its few minor imperfections could provide bargaining power for interested parties. It will be fascinating to learn whether we have readers who might pursue this classic further. If you do and are its new owner, it would be wonderful to discover whether it is all it appears to be.