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No Reserve Super SUV: 1992 GMC Typhoon

GMC only produced 2,497 examples of the Typhoon for the 1992 model year. That makes them a rare classic that combines impressive performance levels in an SUV with more than a touch of luxury. This one is a tidy looking vehicle that would seem to need nothing but a new owner who will appreciate its attributes. It has been listed in a No Reserve auction here on eBay. It is located in Folsom, California, and the bidding has been quite spirited up to this point. This has pushed the price along to $15,000, with the winner guaranteed to drive away in a rare and potent classic.

I will openly admit that this Typhoon has had me scratching my head a bit. My confusion revolves around the vehicle’s color. The ’92 Typhoon was offered in nine different colors, with two of these being different shades of blue. These are also two of the rarest shades, and between them, they account for a mere 30 vehicles. There were 28 finished in Aspen Blue, but this looks too dark to be that color. There were also two that wore a color called Radar Blue. Finding a photo of a Typhoon finished in that color is close to impossible. I did locate one, and the color has a hint of purple in it. That leads me to believe that the paint that this Typhoon wears is a custom mix and that the vehicle has received a repaint at some point. Looking beyond the question of color, what we find is a nicely preserved survivor. It has spent its life in California, and this has allowed it to remain rust-free. The panels are laser straight, and there are no issues with the body kit or other external plastic trim. The original wheels are in good condition, with no signs of damage, staining, or oxidization.

Life inside a Typhoon was never designed to be uncomfortable, and there are plenty of features to make any journey a pleasurable experience. Several cows have made the ultimate sacrifice to provide the upholstery for the seats and wheel, while ice-cold air conditioning banishes the summer heat. Throw in power windows, power locks, cruise, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio/CD player, and the miles will roll away. The interior of this Typhoon is in good condition for a vehicle of this age. The leather on the seats is wrinkled, but it still looks soft and supple. The carpet shows a small amount of wear, but it still presents well. There are no apparent issues with the remaining trim and plastic and no appreciable wear on the wheel.

The Typhoon’s party piece is what is happening below the surface. Like its cousin, the Syclone, the Typhoon is powered by a 4.3-liter V6, which features fuel injection, a turbocharger, and an intercooler. This engine should be producing a healthy 280hp, which finds its way to the road via a 4-speed automatic transmission. With such impressive performance levels on offer, the fact that the vehicle features 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS is a blessing. It’s how the power finds its way to the road that makes the Typhoon an accomplished performer. It is an all-wheel-drive vehicle, and a sophisticated system sends 65% of the available power to the rear wheels, while the remaining 35% is fed to the front. The result of this is acceleration times that can rival some muscle cars. The Typhoon should be capable of sprinting from 0-60mph in 5.3 seconds, while the ¼ mile can be blitzed in 14.1 seconds. Those figures become even more impressive when you consider that the vehicle in question is an SUV that tips the scales at 3,823lbs. The seller has owned the Typhoon for approximately 8-years, and he says that it runs and drives perfectly. He also claims that it has 74,000 genuine miles on the clock, but he doesn’t indicate whether he has documentation to verify this.

This 1992 GMC Typhoon is a tidy survivor, and it is one that will turn heads wherever it goes. It is ready to be driven and enjoyed and would seem to need nothing but a new owner who will appreciate its combination of comfort and performance. Recent sales results suggest that the bidding has now reached about the level that might be expected for this car, and it probably won’t go much higher. With that thought in the back of your mind, is this a classic that you would consider bidding on?

Comments

  1. Avatar alphasud Member

    I rode shotgun in one of these back in the early 90’s and was floored by its acceleration potential. There wasn’t anything faster back then. Even today those are respectable numbers for a SUV. Were they even calling them a SUV back then?

    Like 4
    • Avatar Joe Backer

      Yes they did call them suv in the 90’s

      Like 1
  2. Avatar Bakyrdhero Member

    I see a hint of purple in this paint. Maybe it’s original.

    Like 2
  3. Avatar Mr.BZ

    Now we’re talkin’!! Just what I’ve been waiting for, if I can just talk the wife into selling her 02 Rodeo to make room……

    Like 1
  4. Avatar Jim Panks

    Sweet color combo! Firewall looks black so not sure about originality but I would still trade for my 89k mi Syclone just for a change of pace. May not be quite as quick but that’s easy to fix. Some lucky bidder will have a nice ride.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Steve R

    This looks like a really nice car/truck being sold by the actual owner. It has a lot of things going for it, it’s rare, in great condition and offers good performance. Someone is going to wind up with a really cool ride when this auction ends.

    Steve R

    Like 5
  6. Avatar Mitchell Gildea Member

    If you’re questioning whether or not to buy it, just remember Clint Eastwood owns one

    Like 6
  7. Avatar Brian

    Bought on of these back in 93 up in Green Bay with just under 5,000 miles on it. Most fun I ever had in a vehicle. Wish I still had mine.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Erik S Gutierrez

      Correction 0-60 in 4.sec very fast

      Like 0
  8. Avatar Dave

    Its faster 0-60 than the same year Ferrari 348ts if that puts things in perspective

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Connecticut Mark

    Richard Simmons owns one, . Remember that too.

    Like 5
  10. Avatar Tony Tabacchi

    I owned a 93 forest green Typhoon for 8 years. One of my all time favorite vehicles. Was stolen and never recovered.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar David Bailey

    Tony, I had the usual black -black. I agree: One of the most fun cars out there to this day. I think with minor reversible mods, you could lop a full second off both times. Mine was stolen as well .

    Like 0
  12. Avatar Dave

    Never understood the allure of these things. I had the truck, a 1983. I eventually swapped in a 5.7 that was more powerful, and faster, and a fraction of the cost of these, but just 2 wheel drive.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Frank Rizzo

      So pretty much nothing of the sort and nothing even close. Gotcha.

      Like 0
  13. Avatar Jason

    I recall these being available in black, white, green and red. But the blue does look good.

    Like 1

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