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When the government finalized its plans for the CARS rebate program, I was admittedly torn on the issue. I knew it would temporarily help automakers and dealers, but as an enthusiast, I couldn’t stand the thought of good cars being destroyed. I figured it would only be a matter of time before we heard stories and saw pictures of cool cars being traded in without a second thought, but this particular example hit a little too close to home.

As an owner of a 1991 GMC Syclone, I frequent the forums at SyTy.net. I recently came across a post there—you may have seen it discussed elsewhere—that reported a 66,748-mile Syclone had been sacrificed for the easy $4500 rebate. Needless to say, I felt just as upset and nauseated as the rest of the SyTy community. With only 2998 of these trucks ever produced, the Syclone is one rare truck, and even a not-so-great example is typically worth more than the $4500 clunker rebate. Hell, the cladding itself is worth thousands of dollars.

But all is not lost—or at least this particular Syclone. Much to my relief, I can report that the Syclone has been saved thanks to the work of a few SyTy.net forum members. Board members were able to track the truck down and someone purchased it from the dealer before the government death certificate was filed. Dealers apparently have the option of selling clunker trade-ins (assuming they receive an offer that bests the $3500 or $4500 put up by the government) before they file the rebate papers.

Meanwhile, the hunt still continues for the red Typhoon (pictured)-it needs to be saved, too—so if anyone knows about its whereabouts, please do your fellow car lovers a favor and let us know.