Duramax goes full tilt with Banks PowerPack
Jay Lamb has been a fan for decades, but only recently was able to upgrade his truck with performance parts from Banks.
September 1, 2023
Helping Racers Go For 200 MPH
Banks has a storied history at the Bonneville Salt Flats, having been directly responsible for setting scores of records in dozens of classes.
August 18, 2023
American Turbocar Pioneering the Tuner Car
The goal of American Turbocar was to make cars for a small percentage of car elitists. They wanted to offer the kind of performance offered back in the days when Carroll Shelby was making Cobras. Because of the immense power outputs of the cars, they require competent owners with experience.
Banks’ American Turbocar Corp. started the Turbo Tuner craze and landed on the cover of Car & Driver. The cover showcased the 700-horsepower Banks twin-turbo GT Pontiac Trans Am. Additionally, the car was tested and proven by Car & Driver, the article was a rave review. For the few who had the experience, the ability, and the where-with-all, ATC offered a line of tuner cars that were considered “world-class” by any standard.
January 6, 2023
Top 5 Podcasts of 2022
As we wrap up 2022, we look back at the top 5 podcast episodes from Speed School. We’ve learned and laughed a lot.
December 30, 2022
Bonneville Beauty Shots
Discover the legendary Pontiac Trans Am, a Bonneville Salt Flats champion and automotive icon. This high-performance machine, immortalized on the cover of the 1988 book “Bonneville Salt Flats,” pushed the boundaries of speed with its twin-turbocharged 454 cubic inch engine. If you crave adrenaline and a piece of American automotive history, explore the world of high-performance vehicles and experience the thrill of the open road.
August 19, 2022
Rick Young | Speed School Podcast EP 2
Gale Banks welcomes Rick Young, Banks’ 12th employee. Gale erupts in infectious laughter as Rick recalls hilarious antics during the company’s early years.
May 6, 2022
Ep 1 – Speed School Podcast with Gale Banks
Gale Banks welcomes Csaba Csere, former technical director and editor-in-chief of Car and Driver. The two laugh about making history in a 700-hp, 200-mph street-legal Pontiac Trans
April 26, 2022
Gale Banks interview from the Salt Flats
This week’s Time Machine finds a rare interview with Gale Banks recorded before his Twin-Turbo Pontiac Trans Am made its historic run in 1987. The 45-year-old Banks
December 3, 2021
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.
July 15, 2020
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!
July 2, 2020