In some situations, every version of a limited production vehicle can be deemed collectible. A GMC Syclone or Typhoon is a great example of this, as the limited production numbers and impressive out-of-the-box performance made them sought-after almost immediately, and their values have steadily increased. How do you make one even more desirable? Find a low production number example, such as this Syclone listed here on eBay as number 0004.
The seller refers to this Syclone as one of the lowest production number examples available, and he’s likely not wrong. The attraction to a low, or early, production number is a way to create additional value amongst a family of vehicles already deemed desirable. So, while a Corvette Sting Ray may be sought after in split window form, an early production example of that same car will almost always carry a higher price tag based on where it fell on the early days of the assembly line. The same rule applies here for a truck like the Syclone.
Now, while this Syclone is certainly in good shape, it has also been used, racking up just over 40,000 miles. I suspect the turbocharged pickup led a fairly normal life as a driver before someone peeked at the VIN and realized this it was likely one of the first examples sold here in the U.S. Most of the time, super low production number vehicles go right into the car bubble, as the first few buyers inevitably treat the vehicles solely as investments. The fact this Syclone was actually used is an intriguing footnote in its history file, and the good news is that the miles it accumulated didn’t result in any excessive cosmetic faults.
The listing indicates the Syclone is a “…beautifully restored” example, and I’m not sure what that means in the context of a vehicle that may have developed some ,minor blemishes over time, or perhaps was treated to a respray due to clearcoat failure. The seller does cite an engine rebuild to the tune of $11,000 performed at or around 36,000 miles, which seems premature for a stock example. Turbocharged vehicles are sensitive to tunes, however, so it’s possible previous modifications weren’t installed correctly. Regardless, the low production number is all that will matter to some collectors, and bidding currently sits at $26,099 with the reserve unmet.
These are amazing vehicles. The acceleration from a dead stop is silly fast. I owned one of the Typhoon Jimmy variants of these. Funnest vehicle ever!
Dead stop acceleration is indeed silly, Bobby. But 60-120? Mind blowing.
#4 down the assembly line would add value to a museum piece. However, it provides no worth due to the rebuild and possible repaint at 40,000 miles. IMHO
When these first came out I was invited by GM to drive the Syclone and the Typhoon. Amazing vehicles. Price at that time was around 30K. We received a 1K voucher towards the purchase price.
If you got to drive something this should work. These were wrapping up development just before I left. Maybe the last cool vehicle I was able to drive on the track. Extraordinary fun and it really does fly.
So, obviously the seller is a fan of early 90’s GM muscle, and the Syclone is a helluva a lot of fun on four wheels (I still lament passing on one in the early 2000’s) but I’m tripping out on the giant wolf in the background.
Dude that owned this beauty is a werewolf, no need to freak out. Just don’t show up at his place during a full moon
Is there better sleeper potential than these twins ?
Just remove all decals, badges and swap rims for some steel wheels. 😲🏁
This is DEFINITELY on my bucket list to at least drive once. I always loved the fact that they turbo charged a 4.3 V6. This is nice and worth preserving and driving to cars and coffee etc.
It states that it has a tune on it. Why!!!!!! Why would you tune a special limited production vehicle? If you want to tune something, buy a regular S-10 and tune away ( you will not hurt the value ). You do nothing but kill the value of a great truck. Just my humble opinion.
Yeah. What he said.
Unless your S10 is AWD,tune away til your blue in the face,the syclone would leave you in the dust with only 2wd…
Rode shotgun in one of these on a freeway entrance ramp in the early 1990’s….absolutely mind-boggling and utterly unforgettable.
You must experience a Syclone/Typhoon or Turbo Buick/Turbo TA before going to the great garage in the sky……a must do.
👍🤓
The fact that these are all wheel drive helps put all that power to the ground,otherwise it would just be a tire smoker….
I was in the plant in Troy MI when they were building these and they told me that they first had versions without the AWD and there was so much power going to the rear axle that no one could get the truck to go straight enough to be safe for the average driver.
Nice John. Thanks. By that time, you had to have all-wheel drive to be a supercar. Just to get the power to the pavement. That humble, domestic product was a performance supercar and way more.
One of these pulled up next to me when I had an ’87 Fury cop car. We were both doing 75-80 on I-90 outside of Boston. The driver wanted to see if I was a real cop, which I was not – just driving a retired cop car with the spotlight on the A-pillar. Satisfied that I was no worry, the guy punched it. At 80mph I had a mind to open my door to figure out why I had stopped, he pulled away that fast.
The interior full of papers and junk is always a nice feature when trying to sell a car – particularly one as noteworthy and cool as this one!
That’s always a head scratcher for me, too, Todd. If you want to sell something, clean it up!
I’m wondering why the engine had a rebuild at 36,000 miles, maybe the engine didn’t like the “upgrades” or it was possibly ridden hard and put away wet.
A friend of mine here has a Typhoon.