Vehicle Description
1993 GMC Typhoon
Despite their legendary status now, Sylcones were not hot sellers
when they ended up on dealer lots in 1991. In fact, dealers offered
steep discounts and occasionally ended up with more than one truck
to "get rid of". The main reason was the impracticality of a hot
rodded, two seat pickup truck. So, when GMC released the Typhoon in
1992 with the rear seats and cargo space of a Jimmy, they expected
brisk sales. But the limited edition trucks were expensive for the
time, equal to about $55,000 in today's money, and for that and
several other reasons, including a new body style on the horizon
for 1995, production of the Typhoon ended after just two years.
For consignment, a 1993 GMC Typhoon showing 75,900 miles but
unverifiable due to the title reading Mileage Exempt. Just 2,200
Typhoons were produced in 1993 and just 4,697 total over the model
run. While Frost White over Argent Gray cladding was a common color
for the 1992 model year with more than 500 wearing that
combination, it was rare in 1993 with only 115 dressed in
white/gray. Contrary to popular belief, Typhoons were not only
produced in black, but this white as well as red, green, teal, and
blue.
Exterior
A white grille with white headlight buckets differentiates this '93
from '92 white and gray Typhoons which have gray buckets. Gold
Typhoon decal graphics also indicate a 1993. If this color combo
looks familiar, it may be because one of the most viewed Typhoons
on YouTube stars in a vintage Doug DeMuro video, (a white/gray '92
model). The unique gray cladding encircles the truck, and each
piece was specifically designed for the Typhoon. This truck lacks
the optional roof rack but does have a rear spoiler, likely dealer
installed at the time. The body panels are shared with the Jimmy
and Blazer of the day of course, but the cladding gives the truck a
wider and low profile stance and this truck wears 17-inch C5
Corvette wheels and 40 series Z rated tires with an early 2022 date
code. The paint is in great shape with only minor imperfections low
on the cladding, barely visible. The decal on the tailgate is
chipped in places, but replacements are available in the
aftermarket.
Interior
As a higher end purchase at the time, Typhoons were equipped with
luxury leather interiors that you couldn't get in your normal Jimmy
and that starts with a pleated panel of black leather on the door
panels, next to the gray plastic instrument panel and above the
carpeted base with storage bin and both doors are in great
condition. The wide leather seats, known in the SyTy worlds as
"Fatman seats" are more luxurious than the '92's sporty seats and
provide a comfortable, all leather perch. There's some minor
creasing on the driver's side but they're in good shape, while the
back bench glistens like Elvis' leather get-up from the 1968
comeback special. Typhoon's 4 spoke leather wrapped steering wheel
offered a sporty handle and fronts a dash carried over from the
Syclone and is borrowed, in large part, from the Pontiac Turbo
Sunbird at the time. A plastic bezel surrounds the analog gauges,
and hard plastics abound on the outer pods and surrounding
AM/FM/Cassette Delco radio in the center stack. Like all Jimmys of
the era, this one has that quirky map shelf under the dash where
things get tossed readily. The center console gets two shallow cup
holders and a Corvette shifter from the parts bin, wrapped in a
leather boot, all in front of a storage bin that doubles as an
armrest. For 1993, an overhead console was added which includes
lights and storage for your Oakley sunglasses and garage door
opener. The carpet, headliner, and visors are in nice shape. The
storage area is carpeted and houses a covered spare tire and the
rear seats fold down for 67 cubic feet of storage.
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
Clean and dry underneath with typical but minimal areas of surface
rust on untreated components including the exhaust pipe. Single
exhaust encounters a stock style muffler then exits via a steel tip
in stock configuration. Suspension consists of torsion bars up
front and leaf springs in the back.
Drive-Ability
By performance car standards, the exhaust is rather quiet, and the
engine performs like your average 4.3 liter V6 until you give it
enough RPMs to build boost, then an invisible force pushes you
against the seat like the spinning gravity ride of your youth, and
oddly enough, elicits the same giggling. The prize of this carnival
ride is incredible acceleration that is now legendary and a snort
of the wastegate when you let off the gas, but the turbo isn't done
playing. Steering is typically vague, and braking is adequate for
this stock truck. There are not a ton of "frills" as far as
features, so the simple, analog configuration and its functions all
work as they should on this 31 year old truck. 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
stock condition and that is an increasingly rare bonus as well, so
weather the storm and pick up this founding father of performance
SUVs before values go six figures.
1GDCT18Z1P0811101
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
1-Check Digit
P-1993
O-Lansing, MI Assy Plant
811101-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.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
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