My GM Syclone Pickup Was a Sleeper Supercar
Owner: David Dickman
Location: Pensacola, Florida
Found on: Autotrader
Purchase Price: $10,000
Years owned: 15
I always liked the mini trucks from the mid-eighties, like the Nissan Hardbody. The Cyclone was so cool because it had that look, but it was also really fast. I remember when it beat a Ferrari back in ’91, when I was a teenager. They were selling for crazy money, and were out of my realm.
About a decade later though, I had some money, and started thinking about the Syclone. It had always been in the back of my mind. I set up a search, and within a month, got a hit on one 35 minutes away. It was pretty much bone stock, and the owner had done the routine maintenance. I paid him the full amount that he asked, didn't haggle or anything. He wanted $10,000. I gave him $10,000.
After I bought it, I upgraded the boost, and started some other bigger projects. But then I realized I didn't want to do that. It’s too easy to get sucked in. Next thing you know, you're replacing too many original parts with some guy's aftermarket parts. I undid everything, and took it back to stock. Now, it’s just maintenance, which I do myself. Being turbocharged, it's a spaghetti mess of vacuum hoses. If you have to do something to it, you have to prepare yourself for several days of work.
Only about 3,000 Syclones were made, all for the 1991 model year. It's so rare, and a bit of a GM cult classic. But the cool-factor is number one for me. I've never had a vehicle that everyone thought was that cool. People are always waving, giving thumbs up, shouting “Nice truck!”
Next thing you know, we're racing. And it’s still a monster off the stoplight. Mustang convertibles especially always want to race me. But the Syclone launches so fast because it's all wheel drive. I’ve literally gone a bit blurry.
We just had a baby, so it can’t be my top priority right now, but I’ll never sell it. If I ever need to get rid of it, for whatever reason, my father has already told me he’ll buy it. I’ve kept it 15 years, even when it’s impractical. I just feel like I’d regret it if ever got rid of it.
I have a stepson. maybe when he's older and more responsible, he can inherit it. We’ll see.
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