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October 27, 1987. In the studios of GMC Truck, under the direction of Kim Neilsen, Assistant Chief Designer William Davis draws out a sketch of a conceptual white S-15 as an idea to present for a show truck. It would be two years before approval, and in 1989, a sketch started to turn into reality. GMC quietly stuffed a turbocharged 3.8L V6 engine from the already legendary 1987 Buick Grand National into the engine bay of an all-wheel-drive equipped GMC S-15. GMC took the completed concept truck to the January ’89 Chicago Auto Show, which generated favorable interest and left people wondering if a production version was coming.
1987 Syclone Concept SketchWilliam Davis Concept Drawing – October 27, 1987
GMC set out to impress. Modifications included a flush tonneau cover and built-in wing, a red and back interior trim, pearlescent white paint with hand-painted striping, and Monza tipped dual exhaust outlets. The Syclone concept was GMC’s interpretation of a future high-performance sport pickup truck, thus helping begin the sport truck revolution.
Even as a concept, the 1989 Syclone boasted features that you now see in the production Syclone. Items such as a center console, integral front bumper with built-in fog lamps, and sport bucket seats with lumbar support were kept and made into the final design of the 1991 GMC Syclone.
William David would be promoted to Design Studio head for exterior compact trucks through 1989 and early into 1990. He is also credited with designing the Firebird hood logo for Trans Ams, all show trucks and regular production square body S/Ts as well as new GMT-325 and 330s (all-new rounded designs). He was also exterior chief for the production version of Chevy SSR.
Design News, July 3, 1989 | The Syclone, based on the S-15 compact pickup, offers higher performance via a turbocharged, intercooled 3.8l V6–an enhanced version of the Buick Grand National engine. The engine generates 270 net hp and 370 ft-lbs of torque with sequential port fuel injection. GM spokesmen say the low-riding truck can accelerate from 0-60 mph in under 6 sec; its quarter-mile performance comes under 14 sec at about 103 mph.
AutoWeek, January 23, 1989 | GMC’s Syclone should be the star of a movie called The Engine That Wouldn’t Die. The S-15-based pickup is powered by a 270 hp, 3.8-liter V6 version of Buick’s Grand National engine. Sitting on P245/50VR-16 Eagle GT tires, the truck will romp from 0-60 mph in under six seconds and run the quarter-mile in 14 seconds at 103 mph. GMC has no firm production plans for the Syclone.
Chicago Auto Show, 1989 Syclone Concept | With an announcement of nearing production, another version of the 89 Syclone concept was released and displayed at the SEMA and LA Auto Show. This time, the truck was showcased in a monochromatic black paint job, which would later become the production of Syclone’s signature look and only available color.
This concept version started to showcase even more information that the Syclone would be nearing production. The description for promotion listed more features and performance items that the truck would be built with. At this point, it was noted the truck was to be powered by a 4.3L turbo V6, have an AWD drivetrain, and its focus was to be built at a performance level that surpassed even top-level platforms.
To further entice consumers, marketing promotion was written as the following:
The Syclone has built upon the exciting styling and performance of the original show truck and adapted it into a more production-oriented package. Vehicle specifications include:
Aggressive aero body applique package with front air dam and road lamps
Tw0-tone black exterior (flat black lower/high gloss black upper)
16″ Sport aluminum wheels
16″ High performance rated tires
Four-wheel anti-lock brakes
Analog instrument cluster with tachometer
Unique center console with floor shifter and storage compartment and boost gage
High-performance bucket seats with a headrest
700 R4 4-speed automatic transmission with a unique calibration
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Rear bed tonneau cover
Front and rear suspension enhancements for improved vehicle handling
All of these high sport features are coupled with a host of standard options that make the Syclone a truly well-contented truck, including:
Power windows and door locks
Air conditioning
AM/FM cassette radio
Tilt steering wheel
Pulse wipers
Tinted Glass
Cruise control
Heavy-duty battery
The powertrain and driveline make the Syclone a true world class performance vehicle.
“We at GMC Truck see the Syclone as the state-of-the-art in high technology and high performance with an appeal aimed straight at the upscale performance segments of the market,” said Rick Lee, Director of Marketing for GMC Truck.
Sources:
Kim Neilsen, Former Program Manager GM (Creator of the Syclone) for accurate historical information.
Pete Matesevac for providing the 1989 GMC Syclone Concept Press Release paperwork.
Tim Houlihan, Former GMC Truck Product Planner for providing info & pictures of the 1989 Concept Truck.
