The market for 1990s performance vehicles continues to heat up, and a recent auction result for a GMC Typhoon just sent a major signal. A 1993 example showing just 688 miles sold for a remarkable $226,000 USD on March 25th.
This 688-Mile 1993 GMC Typhoon represented a true time capsule from the era of factory-built performance SUVs. It arrived finished in vibrant Apple Red, a particularly rare color for the 1993 model year, with production estimates hovering around only 77 units.
The exterior retained its factory-installed aerodynamic body cladding and distinctive turbine-style 16-inch alloy wheels, visual cues that set the Typhoon apart from its standard GMC Jimmy sibling.
Inside, the charcoal leather upholstery appeared virtually untouched, complementing the well-equipped cabin featuring air conditioning, cruise control, power accessories, and the unique gauge cluster incorporating a factory boost gauge.
The GMC Typhoon, produced for only the 1992 and 1993 model years, earned its legendary status through its impressive powertrain. GM enlisted Production Automotive Services (PAS) in Michigan to install a potent turbocharged and intercooled 4.3-liter V6 engine into the platform.
In a vintage Car and Driver magazine test, the Typhoon ran 0-60 mph in 5.3 seconds and covered the quarter-mile in 14.1 seconds at 95 mph. This was a outstanding performance in its day. They summed up the Typhoon thusly: “A supercar with 67 cubic feet of cargo space.”
With factory ratings of 280 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque funneled through a robust 4-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system, the Typhoon delivered shocking acceleration for its time, capable of humbling many contemporary sports cars in straight-line sprints.
This limited, two-year production run by an outside specialist adds to the vehicle’s unique history and collector appeal. Significant collector interest in performance vehicles from the 1990s has surged in recent years. Pristine, low-mileage examples like this Typhoon command considerable attention when they surface.
The $226,000 achieved by this Apple Red example clearly reflects the powerful combination of factors appealing to top-tier collectors: extreme originality, incredibly low mileage verifying its minimal use, and the added desirability of its rare factory color.
The sale price places this Typhoon at the pinnacle of the market for these increasingly sought-after machines, demonstrating the premium placed on preservation and rarity.