Pickup trucks hold a special place in the hearts of many Americans. In 1991, the Syclone was one of the most sought-after vehicles on the market. When it came to the drag strip, this factory-built load of craziness managed to outperform a V8-powered Ferrari thanks to its turbocharged V6 engine. The 1991 GMC Syclone was notably known as the world's fastest factory pickup truck.
The automotive press compared the vehicle's acceleration positively to a range of sports cars, including the Corvette and, of course, with the legendary Ferrari race test. Unquestionably, GMC's Syclone is one of their craziest products to date. It all began in 1987 when GMC assistant head designer William Davis sketched out a low-riding S-15 concept vehicle. The thought of a high-performance compact pickup truck that may promote the company's image resonated, so the project got the go-ahead.
It was introduced at the Chicago Auto Show in January 1989 and had a 3.8-liter turbocharged V6 under the hood, a muscular body, and a modified suspension. Due to the overwhelmingly positive response it received from the public, GMC decided to make the concept into a production model. How popular is the 1991 GMC Syclone now, and how much will its enthusiasts pay for one? Let's find out together.
When It First Appeared On The Market In 1991, The Syclone Took The Industry By Storm
In the 1990s, sports cars were at an all-time high, and the legendary 1991 GMC Syclone is one of them. The GMC Syclone had technical specs that are still outstanding decades later. It was also the first pickup truck to feature a four-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS).
Under the hood was a turbocharged, 4.3-liter V6 that cranked out 280 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque with this powerplant. The rear wheels received 65 percent of the torque, while the front wheels got 35 percent of it, thanks to the vehicle's Borg-Warner all-wheel-drive transfer case. In order to transfer power to the wheels, the vehicle uses a four-speed automatic transmission.
Let's now discuss how fast it moves. The 1991 GMC Syclone can reach 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. In comparison, it took the Porsche 911 Turbo 4.4 seconds and the Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 4.9 seconds to reach the same speed back then. As for the top speed, it was 124 mph. In the end, the GMC Syclone was able to prove its claim of being the fastest (in terms of 0-60 and 1/4 mile times) production pickup truck.
Obviously, not everything is going to be flawless. The Syclone has the appearance of a truck but lacks the capabilities of one. Also, the 1991 Syclone was not built for fast cornering. Moreover, the Syclone's suspension had been dropped to the point that it was unable to go off-road at all. The Syclone wasn't a good choice if you were looking for a truck to use for transporting heavy items. Only 2,000 lbs could be towed with it. Essentially a sports car masquerading as a pickup truck, its bed can only haul around 500 lbs.
What Makes The 1991 Syclone Distinctive, And How Much Does It Cost Today?
Black was the only color option for the 1991 Syclone. The pickup truck was supposed to come in a broader choice of colors for 1992, but production was halted. Inside, you'll find a vintage-looking velour interior. The truck also included a high-quality sound system as standard equipment. The Syclone's instrument cluster is identical to that of the Pontiac Sunbird Turbo.
The GMC Syclone was produced for just over one year. Only 2,995 trucks were manufactured in 1991, and only three in 1992. A total of 113 units were sold in Saudi Arabia, with the remainder being sold in the United States. As a result, the vehicle is becoming a collectible classic. When these trucks first came out in 1991, they fetched between $25,000 and $26,000. In today's dollars, that would be around $50,000.
According to sales data from the last five years, the average price of a GMC Syclone was $34,124, with the most expensive model selling for $108,000 and the least expensive for $13,250. Looking at the past year's sales transactions, the 1991 GMC Syclone was sold for $78,750 at the highest price and $9,000 at the lowest price, based on 56 sales.
That being said, of course it all depends on the condition of the vehicle and its mileage. We're guessing that one for nearly $79k was mint, whereas the one that sold for just $9k must've been in poor shape. However, there is one thing we can be sure of. One of our favorite rarely-seen muscle machines, the GMC Syclone, was taken away from us too soon.