Category: Time Machine

Performance with Economy Textbook

1982 Performance with Economy book

Get More Mileage From Your Gas-Guzzling Muscle Car

Struggling with high gas prices but can’t give up the power of your beloved V8? You’re not alone. In the wake of the oil crises of the 70s, many muscle car owners craved better fuel economy without sacrificing performance.

“Performance with Economy” offered a solution. This book, featuring the expertise of Gale Banks, revealed secrets to getting more miles out of your muscle car. It busted the myth that fuel efficiency meant giving up power and showed drivers how to modify their cars for better performance and economy.

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2002 Exhaust Brake with Brains

Upgrade your engine braking with Banks! Ditch the outdated micro-switch for the Banks SmartLock Trans Brake, the first electronically controlled exhaust brake system. It offers more power, prevents clutch slipping, and extends transmission life for automatic vehicles. Works seamlessly with the Banks Brake for the ultimate in braking performance.

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2011 Banks Takes on Pike Peak

Pikes Peak International Hill Climb – Push Your Vehicle to the Limit! This legendary race challenges both driver and car, with thin air sapping engine power by 30% at the summit. Imagine needing cutting-edge technology just to maintain performance! Upgrade your car to handle anything the road throws at you – visit our site to learn more!

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Banks Bonneville Trans Am

1987 Banks’ Bonneville Trans Am displayed at GM Assembly Plant

Record-Breaking Pontiac Trans Am GTA Boosts Employee Morale

The Banks Trans Am GTA, a Pontiac Trans Am modified for record-breaking speeds, became a symbol of employee pride at GM’s Camaro and Firebird assembly plant in Van Nuys, California. After achieving new land speed records on the Bonneville Salt Flats, the Trans Am was brought back to the factory for display. This visit served as a morale booster, allowing employees to see firsthand the potential of the cars they were building. The display also highlighted the contributions of some Van Nuys workers who directly participated in modifying the Trans Am, supplying parts and ensuring its street-legal look.

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1983 Sidewinder

1983 Sidewinder Turbo Kit for Ford 6.9-Liter

In the 1980s, diesel trucks were slow and sluggish. Banks Power’s Sidewinder Turbo System changed that, giving diesel trucks the power and performance they needed to compete with gasoline engines. The Sidewinder kit dramatically improved acceleration and fuel economy, making it a popular choice for truck owners who towed heavy loads. Banks’ innovation paved the way for factory-installed turbochargers in diesel trucks, forever changing the automotive landscape.

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1979 Navy Engine

1979: Battle-Ready Engines

Banks Marine Engines: Powering the Navy SEALs

Banks Power, renowned for their high-performance marine engines in leisure and racing, took their expertise to an elite level. They were chosen to develop twin-turbo gasoline engines specifically for the U.S. Navy SEALs’ covert-action boats. These engines faced grueling demands: extended full-power operation, fuel efficiency on low-grade “battle gas,” and unwavering reliability. Banks delivered, creating engines that provided the SEALs with the power and range needed to dominate their missions.

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1986 Banks Trans Am and Kit

1986 Banks Trans-Am Smashes Record

Banks Trans Am Crushes Speed Record at 267 MPH!

The Banks Power team joined forces with Pontiac and Popular Mechanics to create a record-breaking Trans Am. This powerhouse featured a monster 1,500 horsepower twin-turbocharged engine built by Gale Banks.

After just three years of development, the Banks Trans Am obliterated the 1968 record of 201 mph. Qualifying at a blistering 211 mph, the car then blasted down the track at over 267 mph, achieving a two-way average speed of 260 mph! Incredibly, this record-breaking feat was accomplished with a fully functional interior featuring air conditioning and a stereo!

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Geisler-Banks 1953 Studebaker AKA Hanky Panky

Nothing but a little Hanky Panky

Gale Banks and Bruce Geisler’s iconic 1953 Studebaker, “Hanky Panky,” set multiple speed records at Bonneville Salt Flats. Powered by a twin-turbocharged 304 ci small-block Chevy engine, this legendary car pushed the boundaries of automotive performance in the 1970s.

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2012 Ridler-Winning '55 Thunderbird Interior

2012 Ridler-Winning ’55 Thunderbird

1955 Ford Thunderbird Gets Award-Winning Restomod Treatment at Torq’d Design Lab

Want to transform your classic car into a show-stopping masterpiece? Look no further than Torq’d Design Lab! This Texas-based shop took a tired 1955 Ford Thunderbird and turned it into a Ridler Award-winning restomod beauty. By blending timeless design with modern touches, they created a head-turning ride that’s both innovative and powerful. Learn how Torq’d Design Lab can help you breathe new life into your classic car!

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2005 Banks Sidewinder All Terrain Trucks Ad

2005 Banks Sidewinder All-Terrain Trucks

Unleash the beast in your truck! Banks Power’s Sidewinder All-Terrain package transformed Chevy Silverado, Dodge Ram, and Ford Power Stroke diesels into off-road dominators. These limited-edition trucks boasted dyno-verified horsepower & torque gains, plus Banks’ signature suspension upgrades for maximum capability. Featured on Xtreme 4×4 and Trucks, the Sidewinder All-Terrain even conquered Hot Rod Magazine’s grueling 1,700-mile Power Tour. Own a piece of history – upgrade your truck with Banks Power!

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