Category: Time Machine

1976 Banks Prototypes Volvo’s First Turbo

Volvo and the Rise of Turbocharged Cars: A Match Made in Necessity

The 1970s oil crisis forced a change in the American car. Big engines, once desired for their power, became gas-guzzling burdens. Small engines, while fuel-efficient, lacked the thrill. Enter Volvo and turbocharging. Volvo partnered with a small California race shop, Banks, to create the first turbocharged engine for a computer-controlled car. This innovation debuted in the 1980 Volvo 240 Turbo, offering both fuel economy and a “kick” of power. Volvo’s success with turbocharging paved the way for its widespread adoption in the auto industry, forever changing the landscape of performance.

May 21, 2020

1978 New Zealand Marathon

Gale Banks Turbocharged Engines Dominate New Zealand Jet Boat Marathon

Gale Banks turbocharged engines powered boats to a clean sweep of the top spots at the grueling 1978 New Zealand Citizen Jet Boat Marathon. Reg Benton secured the win for the second year in a row, leading the pack by a staggering one hour over the 1000-kilometer course. Benton’s 454 CID twin-turbo Gale Banks Chevrolet engine proved its dominance, showcasing the exceptional power and durability of Gale Banks technology in the harshest endurance racing conditions.

May 14, 2020

2006 Banks + Ecotec = Atom

Want to Unleash Supercharged Power in Your Build? Look No Further Than Banks.

Stuck with a sluggish engine holding your project back? Banks Powertrain offers a proven solution for tuners and car builders. Our collaboration with Ariel Atom in the US proves our ability to integrate powerful, reliable engines. We provided a complete package featuring the GM 2.0L Ecotec supercharged engine, drivetrain, and electronics, transforming the lightweight Atom into a 2.8-second 0-60 monster. Let Banks be your partner for exceeding performance expectations.

April 30, 2020

2010 – Duramax Day at the NHRA Museum

Duramax Deep Dive: Unveiling the Powerhouse Engine

Gearheads and industry insiders rejoice! Dive deep into the history and technology of the legendary Duramax engine. This exclusive “Duramax Day” event gathered key players to explore the engine’s assembly, versatility in applications, and cutting-edge advancements. Learn from the experts at GM Powertrain and Gale Banks Engineering about what makes Duramax a powerhouse engine.

April 23, 2020

1967 Banks Opens Shop In San Gabriel

Performance Engines Pioneer Gale Banks Starts Building a Legacy

In 1960, a young Gale Banks turned his passion for performance engines into a business, C.P.’s Auto and Marine, operating out of a small California garage. The growing demand for his expertly built engines led to a larger facility in 1967, equipped for precision engine blueprinting. Two years later, Gale Banks Racing Engines was born, solidifying Banks’ reputation for creating legendary performance engines for both land and water vehicles.

April 16, 2020

1973 thru 1975 Interest in Diesel Begins

Ford Looks to Future, Banks Analyzes Efficiency: A 1970s Engine Story

Lee Iacocca, President of Ford, recognized the need for cleaner and more efficient engines in 1973. A landmark study, “Should We Have a New Engine?” was commissioned by Ford and conducted by JPL/Caltech. This study explored various engine types, including electric and hybrid options. Futurist Robert Banks, analyzing the study’s findings, saw the existing infrastructure for gasoline engines as a major advantage, despite the efficiency of some alternative concepts.

April 10, 2020

2012 Military Humvee Upgrade

Unleash hidden power! Banks Sidewinder Turbo System for sluggish vehicles. 58% More Horsepower & 46% Faster Acceleration. Upgrade your car’s performance with industry leading turbochargers, intercoolers & exhaust systems. See incredible results! Stop dreaming, start driving.

March 26, 2020

Sidewinder Jetta

Banks Power collaborated with Robert Bosch Corporation to create the Sidewinder Jetta, a high-performance diesel-powered Volkswagen Jetta. The project involved a series of modifications, including engine tuning, intake and exhaust upgrades, and suspension enhancements. The Sidewinder Jetta became a popular demonstration vehicle for Bosch and served as a testbed for future diesel technologies.

March 19, 2020

1973 Banks/Brunette Endurance Boat

After witnessing the success of Banks marine engines in racing, Lou Brunette brought his triple outboard Jones Tunnel boat to Banks for an inboard/stern drive conversion based on the famed engines. Banks developed and rigged the potent 398-cubic-inch engine and drive system at his San Gabriel facility. An innovative tunnel and stern drive control designed at Banks optimized top speed as well as high-speed maneuverability. The result: the newly equipped boat was able to reach speeds in excess of 140 miles-per-hour. The new configuration not only proved extremely powerful and stable but went on to win the Parker 9-Hour Enduro and was the APBA Endurance Tunnel National Champion for the next five years running.

March 13, 2020

1958: Gale Sells First Racing Engine

Teen Gearhead Scores Dream Car and Rare Indy Engine

Gearhead extraordinaire, Gale Banks, reminisces about his teenage love affair with a classic car and the legendary engine he acquired for it. His dream ride, a 1953 Studebaker Starliner, wasn’t just for cruising – it was a blank canvas for his mechanical ambitions. But fate had other plans. His chance encounter with a rare DOHC Indy engine, originally built for the 1952 Indianapolis campaign, presented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This unique piece of automotive history forever changed the course of Banks’ passion project.

March 5, 2020