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
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