Rare find – one of just over 200 Typhoons originally finished in paint code 44U Forest Green Metallic. Low miles and in good overall condition, nice tires and no rust. Unfortunately had low compression and appears to be a blown head-gasket. Ominous sounds from the engine so good project for a SyTy enthusiast to take over.
Yes, Japan like American hot rods – Corvettes, Shelby Mustangs and drifting DAJIBAN – and coming across this GMC Typhoon at the auctions was a pleasant surprise. With it’s distinctive looks, innovative layout and stellar performance, the Typhoon had an instant cult-following. And Japan auto enthusiasts like their cult-cars like nowhere else on earth. I can imagine how much fun the original owner must have had, dipping into the power as the light turns green in the streets of Tokyo in the early 1990’s.
More on the Typhoon from Wikipedia – both the GMC Syclone and Typhoon trucks featured a Mitsubishi TD06-17C/8 cm2 turbocharger and Garrett Water/Air intercooler attached to a 4.3 L LB4 V6 intake manifolds, fuel system, exhaust manifolds, and a 48 mm (2 in) twin-bore throttle body from the 5.7 L GM Small-Block engine. All Syclones and Typhoons had a 700r4 4-speed automatic transmission and a BorgWarner 1372 (Syclone)/4472 (Typhoon) transfer case splitting torque with 35% forward and 65% to the rear wheels. Both trucks featured all-wheel drive, upgraded brakes, and sport modifications to the standard suspensions. Unlike the Syclone, the Typhoon featured an air-operated self-leveling rear suspension. Output was 280 hp (209 kW) and 360 lb·ft (488 N·m).
The Typhoon was capable of accelerating from 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) in 5.7 seconds and could do a quarter-mile run in 14.5 seconds at 95 mph (153 km/h). Car and Driver compared the Syclone’s performance favorably to the Ferrari 348ts, Chevrolet Corvette, and Nissan 300ZX Turbo. It cost US$29,970, though the magazine criticized the plasticy interior pieces.