Vehicle Description
1992 GMC Typhoon
"The new Typhoon, see, is an SUV like no other. It's a two door
S-15 Jimmy at heart, but you could easily forget that by looking at
it. The sheetmetal is Darth Vader menacing, and the entire package
looks as if it had been dipped in a vat of black epoxy. And then
there's the Typhoon's stance: you've never seen an ordinary SUV
hunker down on the road like this one. Oh yes, the Typhoon is
serious-one look at its hardware proves that it has the muscle to
back up its visual threat. In the engine room sits the same
turbocharged and intercooled 4.3 liter V -6 used in the Syclone."
Car and Driver, March 1992.
For consignment, a 1992 GMC Typhoon with a title verified 54,728
actual miles, one of just 2,497 produced in 1992 and one of the
4,697 total Typhoons produced in the two years of production. It
wears the most common color combination, (1,292), in a year that
saw nine color options if you count the four trucks that served as
experimental for Radar Blue and Raspberry Metallic.
Exterior
The Black over Black cladding looks better than new on this truck,
and it wears the silver decals that distinguish it from a 1993
Typhoon which had gold graphics. The cladding, or body kit as some
people call it, is specific to the Typhoon and this set looks to be
in great shape and the often challenging gaps look good here and
the paint clean. The coveted black GMC letters on the grille tended
to be on earlier 1992 trucks and red lettering became commonplace
after that. A roof rack was one of two options on the Typhoon and
this one wears it, while the escutcheons around the door handle
were standard for '92, eliminated for '93. The 16-inch aluminum
alloy wheels are also specific to the Syclone and Typhoon and are
not only directional, but have different offsets front and rear, so
rotation is not needed. We note a score mark on one of the wheels.
Other imperfections include an uneven gap on the front bumper
cladding, some damaged paint on the edge of a cladding piece, and a
discolored blotch on the paint.
Interior
Typhoons were touted for their leather bound interiors and that
starts on the door panel where pleated leather inserts highlight
the surface that includes hard gray plastic, a cushioned door pull,
and a shaggy carpeted foot panel, all in great shape. Leather
bucket seats wrapped in cloth side panels wear an embroidered
Typhoon on the headrests and both driver and passenger seats are in
excellent condition. In back, a bench seat for two includes
shoulder belts and the ability to fold down to increase the cargo
area. Backseat passengers also get leather armrests over zipper
pouches for storage. A 4 spoke leather wrapped steering wheel leads
to the bezel gauge cluster with standard readouts and the boost
gauge embedded in the tachometer. A/C controls are in a vertical
panel to the right of the wheels and the radio on the dash
represents the second of the options available, an AM/FM radio with
CD. In the center console is the shifter, borrowed from the
Corvette, just behind cupholders that are better suited for pocket
change than your Frappuccino. Low pile black carpet on the floor
looks great as does the contoured headliner above. The cargo area
is carpeted, clean, and houses the spare tire wrapped in a vinyl
and carpeted cover.
Drivetrain
Under the hood, we find a clean 4.3 liter V6, turbocharged and
intercooled via an air to water intercooler. The 262ci engine is
rated at 280 horsepower and is backed by a 700R4 4-speed
transmission that is helped by a transfer case to keep power to all
four wheels, all the time. The 10 bolt rear has 3.42 gears and
receives 65% of the power while the front 3.42 gears handle the
other 35%. Power disc brakes fit the front while power drums are in
back.
Undercarriage
Nice and clean underneath where surface rust seems to be reserved
for the driveshaft. The single exhaust includes a 3" catback system
that meets a Borla muffler and then exits via a polished tip behind
the rear cladding, veering from the stock system that would have
protruded past it. There's no grease build up on the knuckles and
no leaks, although there is a drop of oil on the oil pan. Coil
spring suspension is up front along with leaf springs in the
rear.
Drive-Ability
The GM 80's and 90's "key in" buzz starts the driving process and
the truck starts up with a bit more guttural sound than stock and
we're off to the test loop. The truck has legendary acceleration
with all wheel grip but even without getting into boost, there's
plenty of power on tap at low speeds. Handling is a bit vague but
better than your average GMC Jimmy would be, tracking is straight,
and brakes work as they should. Boost will plant you in the seat
and the truck snorts when the blow off valve releases pressure
after lifting your foot. The A/C is cool but not cold and other
than that, everything worked as intended. While Classic Auto Mall
represents that these functions were working at the time of our
test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at
the time of your purchase.
Each year, a group of about 40 Syclones and Typhoons get together
in nearby Carlisle, but when was the last time you saw one on the
street, or even in a show? Typhoons have recently gained the
notoriety as a classic they were destined to have, and values are
reflecting this and headed in one direction. This example is in
mostly stock condition and that is an increasingly rare bonus as
well, so weather the storm and pick up the grandfather of
performance SUVs.
1GDCT18Z8N0810623
1-USA
G-General Motors
D-GMC
C-4001-5000 GVWR
T-Small 4X4
1-1/2 Ton
8-Utility 2 Door
Z-4.3L V6
8-Check Digit
N-1992
O-Lansing, MI Assy Plant
810623-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
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