Newbie looking to buy a Typhoon....a few questions

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bigpimpin

New member
Hi all,
I'm looking to buy a Typhoon over here in the UK. I remember the Top Gear test drive many years ago and love the idea of the Syclone/Typhoon.

Anyway, I've found one over here but have a few questions about it.

It is registered as 1995, would this possibly be one of the Middle East to Europe ones?

It has as a couple of bits of damage to the body kit/cladding, a part missing from the Drivers side skirt and a missing chunk from passengers side front arch cover. Are these parts readily available and are there companies or individuals willing to post to the uk?

The guy also mentions a "ticking" noise from underneath when the vehicle is moving. He said there is nothing visible from underneath so thinks it may be the autobox or transfer box. Is this a known indicator of something majorly wrong?

Look forward to your expert advice, cheers. :p
 
13Pelle

13Pelle

Active member
Re: Newbie looking to buy a Typhoon....a few questions

Registered as 95....that doesn't seem right but I don't know enough about the ones shipped overseas from a title and registration stand point.

As far as the cladding goes, you can find it. It isn't always the most readily available parts in the world but it is around. You will pay more for OEM cladding then used and from what I have seen/heard the fiberglass reproduction cladding is just as expensive and needs a fair amount of work to get them to fit good. Anyone who is selling should have no problem getting it from the US to the UK. I'm sure they will charge a higher postage rate but that is to be expected. Just my :2cents:
 
GarnetTy1473

GarnetTy1473

Donating Member
Re: Newbie looking to buy a Typhoon....a few questions

If it's registered at a '95, it could very well be a clone and not a real Typhoon. Get the VIN number and post it here and I'm sure someone can decipher it for you.
 
Quickstop [UK]

Quickstop [UK]

Combating adversyty.
Re: Newbie looking to buy a Typhoon....a few questions

Where are you in the UK? I have one (see my proj thread in sig), also Robert in Derby and Martin in East London are the ones I have met.

Where is this truck for sale? Is it advertised?

There is a guy in Blackpool and a Sy in Glasgow I think. Mine is a 1992 Saudi Ty. If it's 95, are you sure it's a Ty and not a clone? get a VIN from the windscreen. 1995 might be the registration in the UK after someone shipped it privately.

The parts you have listed will set you back around $800 or so i think. You can get anything shipped. Parts are not easily available in the UK.

www.bongous.com is a good way of getting stuff sent together, or using the vendors like RPM or Hood Tuned Performance or TurboTime, amongst others - see the vendor section.

Ticking could be lots and lots of things. You need to go for a drive in it and describe it better, not describe his description.

Could be a blown cylinder/exhaust manifold, something simple like a cable tie hitting a prop shaft or something.

If it's knocking then that is v bad. How does it run? Smoke etc?

There is a buyers guide on things to look for somewhere on the website.

Good luck!
 
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bigpimpin

New member
Re: Newbie looking to buy a Typhoon....a few questions

Thanks for the replies guys. :tup:

I have received the vin number from the guy, hopefully this will explain what it is?

1GDCT18Z3P0810189

Its located about 3 hours from me so I'm doing a lot of question asking at the moment before I make the journey to view.
 
GarnetTy1473

GarnetTy1473

Donating Member
Re: Newbie looking to buy a Typhoon....a few questions

bigpimpin said:
Thanks for the replies guys. :tup:

I have received the vin number from the guy, hopefully this will explain what it is?

1GDCT18Z3P0810189

Its located about 3 hours from me so I'm doing a lot of question asking at the moment before I make the journey to view.
Click to expand...

10th digit = P = 1993 Rest of the vin looks legit too.
 
Quickstop [UK]

Quickstop [UK]

Combating adversyty.
Re: Newbie looking to buy a Typhoon....a few questions

Where are you located?

yeah, the Syclone got reviewed. It's somewhere in the multimedia section and might be on Top Gear's media Archive.

Can we carfax that VIN to see if it was anything interesting? I want to do the same with my Ty as it was a Saudi model.

Has this guy sent you any pics? What price is he asking for it? Post up the pics here if you want some additional useful opinions

Open photobucket account
upload pics
post link
et voila....

Keep us updated!
 
midnightbluS10

midnightbluS10

Banned
Re: Newbie looking to buy a Typhoon....a few questions

bigpimpin said:
Thanks for the replies guys. :tup:

I have received the vin number from the guy, hopefully this will explain what it is?

1GDCT18Z3P0810189

Its located about 3 hours from me so I'm doing a lot of question asking at the moment before I make the journey to view.
Click to expand...


The intitial result from Carfax lists it as a 93 Ty.

subttl_searchResults.gif

VIN:1GDCT18Z3P0810189
Vehicle:1993 GMC TYPHOON
Records:2 records found in the CARFAX Vehicle History database
What is a Record?
 
TNPhoon

TNPhoon

1of28
Re: Newbie looking to buy a Typhoon....a few questions

SECTION 1 VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS Print
VIN: 1GDCT18Z3P0810189
Year/Make: 1993 GMC
Model: TYPHOON
Body Style: 2 DR WAGON SPORT UTILITY
Engine: 4.3L V6 FI

SECTION 2
BRANDED TITLE GUARANTEE
RESULT: NO BRANDED TITLES FOUND

Salvage Title NO branded title found
Junk Title NO branded title found
Rebuilt/Reconstructed Title NO branded title found
Flood Damage Title NO branded title found
Dismantled Title NO branded title found
Loss Due to Fire NO branded title found
Hail Damage NO branded title found
Manufacturer Buyback or Lemon NO branded title found
Exceeds Mechanical Limits Title NO branded title found
Not Actual Mileage Title NO branded title found
 
TNPhoon

TNPhoon

1of28
Re: Newbie looking to buy a Typhoon....a few questions

Total Loss
No total loss reported to CARFAX.

No Issues Reported
Structural / Frame Damage
No structural / frame damage reported to CARFAX.

No Issues Reported
Airbag Deployment
No airbag deployment reported to CARFAX.

No Issues Reported
Odometer Rollback
No indication of an odometer rollback.

No Issues Indicated
Accident / Damage
No accidents or damage reported to CARFAX.

No Issues Reported
Manufacturer Recall
Check with an authorized GMC dealer for any open recalls.

No Recalls Reported
Glossary
Detailed History

Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
12/02/1992 California
Motor Vehicle Dept. Title issued or updated
06/22/1994 17,218 Auto Auction
Pacific SW Region Vehicle
 
Quickstop [UK]

Quickstop [UK]

Combating adversyty.
Re: Newbie looking to buy a Typhoon....a few questions

So it was auctioned in the US in 1994 then probably exported to the UK? Thanks for the check. Just need to get my own VIN now!
 
B

bigpimpin

New member
Re: Newbie looking to buy a Typhoon....a few questions

Brilliant!
Thanks a lot for the Carfax info.

So looks like its ok.
Does the carfax data only relate to when the vehicle was in the US i.e. until 1994?

I don't want to reveal too much about the location/price at the moment as still trying to negotiate but you guys will be the first to know if I buy it.
I've been heavily into BMWs for the last 10 years so will probably be asking lots and sourcing parts on here!

Thanks again and I'll keep you posted.
 
powercat6

powercat6

Active member
Re: Newbie looking to buy a Typhoon....a few questions

bigpimpin said:
Brilliant!
Thanks a lot for the Carfax info.

So looks like its ok.
Does the carfax data only relate to when the vehicle was in the US i.e. until 1994?
.
Click to expand...

Correct, Carfax only retrieves information from US and Canadian authorities.
 
Quickstop [UK]

Quickstop [UK]

Combating adversyty.
Re: Newbie looking to buy a Typhoon....a few questions

How come you are concerned to publicise the price/location? I may get flamed for this comment but these trucks do not have a competitive market, least of all in the UK where they are even more obscure.

If you share pricing info then you can get some advice from people on here. If you share location info then someone might know a bit of the history of the truck and potential issues with it. Your ticking noise sounds ominous.

All this is particularly relevant given the 3 hour trek you may need to make.

If you share some pics then the experts can spot some obvious "gotchas". You have the buyers guide, the advice is here if you want it.

Another owner in the UK and a member on here is a welcome thing so good luck.
 
turbodig

turbodig

Active member
Re: Newbie looking to buy a Typhoon....a few questions

Sportmachines info:

Date on folder: 1992-10-22 (appears to be ship date)
Number on folder: 3314 (no idea what this number is)
Date on engine test results: 1992-10-20
Date on Inspection Sheet:
Prop Shaft: 106586
Engine: W932370015
Transmission: MY08198312
Transfer Case: C014230
Engine Sequence: 163
Document Date (It appears this was a check list document): 1992-10-19
Sticker on the above document (ECM number): 106877
Engineering Sheet Date: 1992-09-18
Body Inspection Sheet Date: 1992-10-19
Vehicle Receive Report Date: 1991-10-01
Vehicle Receive Report Item #: (We have no idea what this number is for)
Color according to Vehicle Receive Report:
Vehicle Shipping Report Date:
1-2 Shift (RPM): 4300
2-3 Shift (RPM): 4300
Vehicle Shipping Report 3#: (We have no idea what this number is for)

GM Build Log:
Build Date: 1991-09-26

GM Final Ship: 1991-09-29 00:00:00

Ship Date: 1991-10-03

ECM: 163
 
B

bigpimpin

New member
Re: Newbie looking to buy a Typhoon....a few questions

Okay Guys, The deal is nearing completion!
I'm heading for a look on Thursday.
The guy is looking for £2300 ($3450).
Its got the issues mentioned earlier, couple of broken bits of cladding, ticking noise possibly from the gearbox (somewhere underneath) Interior has been stripped but all seats are still there and some other minors like windows only going down so far.

Does this sound like a decent price to you guys?
 
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