Banks Twin-Turbo Trans Am GTA

World’s Fastest Passenger Car

Running on nothing but straight gasoline, this Banks twin-turbocharged Firebird scorches the Salt at 287 mph to become the new World’s Fastest Passenger Car. Despite dozens of challenges, Banks ‘Bird held the title for 10 years.

1987 Pontiac Trans Am GTA World Record 267.618 mph

Clocking a 277 mph, mile and a 268 mph two-way record, Banks’ 1987 Twin-Turbo, 1800 hp, gasoline-burning big block Pontiac GTA, set a passenger car standard that would stand for ten years. As a result, the Banks’ team, beginning with the Hanky-Panky Studebaker in 1978, followed by the Sundowner Corvette in 1981, and finally the Twin-Turbo GTA in 1987 through 1997, held the record for the “World’s Fastest Passenger Car” for two decades.

A Banks Power twin-turbo, 1800-hp Pontiac GTA set a new “World’s Fastest Passenger Car” speed record at Bonneville Salt Flats at 277 mph as certified by the Southern California Timing Association. This record stood for the next ten years.

“The three-year buildup paid off during the 38th annual Bonneville Speed Trials when the Banks ‘Bird nabbed the class win, making it the World’s Fastest Passenger Car. And that was on gas with ‘only’ 22 pounds of boost; the twin hairdryers will generate a maximum of 38 pounds of boost!” —Hot Rod Yearbook

Working with Pontiac, the Banks Trans Am GTA was developed to break the previous record for a gasoline-powered stock-bodied passenger car that was held by Banks. Powered by a Gale Banks marine-based 454 ci GM engine producing about 1,700 hp, the Trans Am reached a terminal speed of 283 mph under rainy conditions at Bonneville. Tire testing revealed front tire failure at ~282 mph, preventing the Trans Am from reaching its goal of 300 mph. Its average speed of 267.618 mph made the Trans Am the world’s fastest stock-bodied passenger car on gasoline. The Banks Trans Am GTA would hold the record for the next 10 years.

Firebird - Salt 1987
Banks Twin-Turbo Trans Am GTA
Pontiac-salt-group
Pontiac 250 at the startline
Magazine-Bonnevile-Firebird
Working on the Firebird
Firebird trailer
Firebird low angle 1987
Firebird tank
Banks Twin-Turbo Trans Am GTA
Banks Twin-Turbo Trans Am GTA
Banks Twin-Turbo Trans Am GTA
A-Salt cover January 1988
A-Salt p50-51 January 1988
A-Salt p52-53 January 1988
Pontiac Racing 1987
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Firebird - Salt 1987
Banks Twin-Turbo Trans Am GTA
Pontiac-salt-group
Pontiac 250 at the startline
Magazine-Bonnevile-Firebird
Working on the Firebird
Firebird trailer
Firebird low angle 1987
Firebird tank
Banks Twin-Turbo Trans Am GTA
Banks Twin-Turbo Trans Am GTA
Banks Twin-Turbo Trans Am GTA
A-Salt cover January 1988
A-Salt p50-51 January 1988
A-Salt p52-53 January 1988
Pontiac Racing 1987
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