This Tuned And Fully-Custom Syclone Deserves Your Time
I sometimes feel like I do trucks a disservice on this blog. With so many chopped and tuned cars to choose from, their heavyweight brethren must sometimes feel a little ignored. This post is my attempt to change that. GMC’s Syclone, produced for just one year in 1991, is a truck that’s worth talking about. At the time of its release, it was proven to be able to outrace a Ferrari thanks to its turbo V6, while still retaining the bold looks of an American pickup. Sadly, only a handful of Syclones remain, including this ridiculous example.
Owned by Adam Auerbach, this Syclone hasn’t had a big-block V8 fitted. It still retains its V6 purity, albeit in a stroked-out and aluminum form which kicks out 500 AWHP. The automatic transmission’s been replaced with a stick shift, and the radiator’s been moved to the back. This is just one part of a bigger attempt to shift the truck’s weight to its rear to improve handling. The result? It’s a Syclone that can actually corner. As the Hillclimber name would suggest, its equally adept on hills as on the track, with the truck previously participating in Nevada’s infamous 341 Challenge.
Sure, it’s still completely custom, with spares not being easy to come by for such a rare motor, and it does break down occasionally, but really, who cares? It’s a Syclone that’s been dragged forcibly into the 21st Century and keeps roaring on. That needs to be celebrated.
