Organizing the first-ever Syclone Typhoon Nationals 1998

I vividly remember the first time I read a magazine article about the GMC Syclone and Typhoon trucks that were being produced and sold by GMC in 1991, 1992, and 1993.  I was a freshman in college at the time and 80’s and 90’s turbos were my jam; my dad had a T-top Grand National and a T-Type WE4 in the garage and I drove a white with white rim Eagle Talon AWD.  But a turbo AWD utility truck with great looks that was super rare, fast, and well just plane ole bad ass was all I could think about.  I checked my savings account and the hunt was on.  I found my prized 1993 white / grey Typhoon at the GMC dealer on Hillsborough Ave in Tampa, traded in my Eagle, and left with the biggest smile I think I’ve ever had.

At the time, the Typhoon was my only car and my daily driver so it went right to the shop for complete stereo retrofit with amps and subs, dark tint, and alarm that communicated with a beeper, among other things I didn’t need.  The first song I listened to when I pulled out of the shop was Beastie Boys, Jimmy James and I recall that like it was yesterday.  

This truck touched me like nothing I have ever owned.  I wanted to drive it all the time.  I could stare at it for hours.  Nothing was too good for the truck by way of maintenance or care.  When not in use it was under cover.  If it rained, I’d skip going out.  I’d frequent Donatello and the valet would move Ferrari’s to put my GMC truck right up front.  Crazy I know, but it was just a part of me and made me feel awesome to own.  It always took up two spots out in the back 9 of the parking lot and was literally my pride and joy.

I went to a car meet in Brandon some time in 1995 and I met another owner with a Syclone, my first friend who owned one.  Then, we went to a car meet in Clearwater and met Tom Argue with Tom Argue designs.  Tom also had a white / white 93 Typhoon and had the same passion I did with the trucks, so we became fast friends.  Tom and I met up a few times, did a few car shows, and in discussion I remember asking him, “do you think there are other owners in Florida like us?”  

At this time the internet was becoming a thing and I found myself searching for any resources I could on the Syclone or Typhoon and eventually found a group board that was for owners.  I was obsessed!  Within a few days I had put together a meet up in Naples and found about 13 people committed to gathering.  This is who showed, and my friendship with most of these guys is still a part of me to this day.

On the drive home, my girlfriend kept telling me how proud she was of me to put this together and how neat it was to see that most of the other owners were of the same demographic; younger gearheads with a passion for the unusual, speed, and comradery.  I started the think how awesome it would be to get the whole country together.

After some time on the internet and talking with owners from other parts of the country, I posted a teaser on how awesome it would be for everyone to meet; all kinds of people agreed and encouraged the idea.  At this time in my life I lived in an apartment and had plenty of free time to dive into something, so the idea started to come together.   I had been a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs for many years and decided this location made sense from a centralized point in the US and also for selfish reasons because I wanted to visit.  I decided to put together the first ever Syclone and Typhoon Nationals.  This is the original logo used on everything including t-shirts; I didn’t have a lot of technology for graphics!

Using the internet, I started spreading the word.  I opened a bank account for this meet and accepted money from dozens and dozens of strangers all over the country.  I organized discounted hotel rates, a public park with lots of parking, food, drinks, a cruise, and a day at the track.  We even scheduled to rent out the local Hooters for a night and drove the trucks there.  I formed a friendship with another passionate owner who lived in KC named Norman Mah and he helped with some of the local suggestions.  At the tail end of organizing, we even put together a techs and tips seminar and “how-to” type class.  It was a full on event.

The Nationals sparked me to take my truck to new heights, so I got to work on my truck as well opting to make this more of a show truck than a daily.  Because of the color scheme I felt that chrome was the accent of choice and began to work on upgrading everything in this truck from the stereo, to the wheels, to chrome dipping the sway bar.  My truck became known as “Chrome Boy” 0366 (the last 4 of the Typhoon Vin was an identifier in the community) by some of the guys.  I even installed the very first turbo ventilation in the fender using a GNX vent reversed (keeping the mods in the turbo family of course) and a Mercedes AMG marker light to be different.

The time came to head on out to Kansas City for the event.  I’ll never forget all of the great people I met, and really enjoyed putting faces with internet handles of people from all over the country.  I couldn’t believe that people took time off of work and drove their trucks to Kansas City from California, New York, Texas, Chicago, Denver, and all over.  I think we had 114 trucks show the first year and most of these people were the influential people in the SyTy world.  It was a HUGE success.

I put the 1999 event on the following year and it was even more impressive.  We had GM show with some pilot trucks, more unique people with race conversion trucks, a full frame off restoration truck with heavy improvements and modifications, among other cool things.  By this time I owned 4 GMC SyTys including one of the elusive and rare Marlboro versions of the Syclone, Chrome Boy, a 2000 mile all original Syclone purchased from Tim Allens collection, and an all original red/ red 93 typhoon purchased from the original owner with full documentation.  It was obsession at its finest.  In an ironic sidenote to this story, I sold the 2000 mile Syclone to a gentleman in Indiana, and 10 years later, TO THE DAY, had the opportunity to purchase it back, which I did.  The photo is from the day is arrived back in Tampa.

In 1999 I put together another Florida gathering.  We adopted the metaphor FAST for Florida Association of Syclones and Typhoons.  Our third Florida meet was a huge success and really started other “chapters” around the country on doing their own annual local-ish events.  This event was also noteworthy because at the time it was the largest state gathering in the country.

Eventually all good things must come to an end; the trucks started becoming harder to store, harder to maintain, plus ultimately, I had changed.  If I had The Auto Den back then, I would probably still own all of these trucks or at least two of them.  But it was time to move on and while I regret selling “Chrome Boy 0366”, I still remember all of the fond memories with the truck, all the events, my obsession with the SyTy trucks, and my place in the SyTy community.

Last I heard 0366 is in Canada.  I’d argue its one of the most influential SyTyGt trucks out there since it inspired hundreds of people to come together, become friends and really drive a whole community.  I’d love to see it back with me and stored at The Auto Den someday…..

CHRI55