It coulda been a contenda! And this 1993 GMC Typhoon would have been had the General produced more than just 4,600 over a span of just two years (’92 and ’93). But as specialty vehicles go, they’re often short-lived and we’re fortunate that stodgy GM saw clear to produce this stylish two-door, go-fast, SUV at all. Other than the wheels, this example looks like a survivor so let’s check it out. Located in Brooklyn, New York, this no-reserve Typhoon is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $17,800 with twenty bids tendered so far.

While the pedestrian Chevy Blazer/GMC Jimmy had the same smooth lines with the Nomadesque B-pillar as this Typhoon (excluding the unbalanced, awkward-looking four-door version), they were pretty forgettable SUVs. However, aesthetics and image can make all the transformational difference. In this case, the mile-deep black finish combined with the chin spoiler and lower body sills makes for a sinister look. This example looks like it has been lowered and that certainly adds to the vibe too. The wheels, which are not original, help complete the look. The seller mentions that the original hoops are included in the sale.

The Typhoon’s engine’s origin dates to 1985 and stayed in production, in one form or another, through 2013. The 4.3 liter V6 is actually three-quarters of a Chevrolet 350 CI small-block V8 and has seen service in many GM applications. Fuel delivery has been handled by carburetors as well as both throttle body and multiport fuel injection. Over the years, many internal changes occurred and traditional horsepower output was typically in the 195-200 range. In the case of the Typhoon, however,  an intercooled, turbo-charger, as well as other internal and external changes, managed to coax 280 HP from the two valves per cylinder, pushrod engine. The seller states, “It starts right up, runs & drives great and sounds amazing with the turbo spooling“. Power gets to all four wheels with help from a 4L60, four-speed automatic transmission and a Borg-Warner transfer case.

The interior was a surprise to me. I was expecting a typical GM 90s environment, which isn’t always clothed in the highest quality materials, but that’s not the case here. The two-tone leather seats present beautifully as do the carpet and door panels. The dash and instrument panel, which are in fine nick, are representative of the hard plastic, sharp-angled pieces so often making a GM appearance in these years. Regardless, it’s all a nice, neat clean setting and that includes the cargo area too.

GM often takes it on the chin for some of their conservative approaches and resulting bland product results, but that’s really not the entire story. Vehicles such as this Typhoon, the ZR1 Corvette, Pontiac GTO (’04-’06) and G8 sedan, Chevrolet SS, COPO Camaro, and finally, a mid-engined Corvette, to mention just a few, show that some within their Detroit inner sanctum, have shown some true automotive soul in more recent years. We can only hope that they don’t lose that drive and imagination going forward, especially at a time when the automobile’s future seems cloudy. Well, until the dust settles, one can regale the past with a hot rod truck like this Typhoon, right?