1300 hp truck scares news anchors | Banks twin-turbo 502 concept

#tbt 1989 - In this vintage KTLA News segment of The Car Guys, Gale showed off his latest concept beast, the “Banks 502”. The 502 was a C1500 SS454 truck with a 1,300 hp twin-turbo 502 big block sporting a massive rear wing meant for speeds over 200 mph. The truck roared loud enough to set off all of the car alarms on the backlot as it comes into view. This truck was part of a larger racing effort with GM in the late ’80s and early ’90s.
History buffs will recall that Banks set World Records for GMC with our Project Syclone in 1989 and 1990. In the early days, Gale had different ideas regarding what he wanted to build. He planned a regular-cab short-bed truck with all-wheel drive, armed with one of his massive racing engines tuned for the rigors of Bonneville. GM execs weighed in, Chevy said that if anyone was going to do something in a big truck it was going to be them, and that’s how we got the 454 SS truck. GMC stipulated that Bonneville should be raced with the S-15 Jimmy mini-truck, which neither had all-wheel drive nor turbos. They told him it’d have to be naturally aspirated because “We don’t sell turbocharged trucks."
One only wonders what this 502 concept truck would have done at the Salt Flats, and just how many street-legal versions would have been picking fights with hot rods, even today. Eventually, GMC actually DID end up selling a turbocharged, all-wheel-drive truck called the Syclone. That truck was followed up with the turbo, all-wheel drive Typhoon. Hmmm... wonder where they got that idea from?
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[@alt5494]

80's ties never fashionable always colorful;⁠)

[@BrickNewton]

I think that describes the whole 80's😂

[@Goblino.]

Holy crap 😮 YOU are responsible for the cyclone that’s amazing

[@joethomas6457]

I think Bob Lutz from GM played a huge role. He built his own S10 with Astro van all wheel drive and an aluminum V8 from a vette. Both guys are awesome no dought

[@fasttoyo]

those turbine housings look massive.

[@R1davies]

When a news show tries to be a car show. Nice to see that somethings have improved since the 80's

[@MK-FreedomUSA]

Man $38k for a 600hp custom truck. I miss the 80s.

[@DugatDizzyLizzys]

Love the paint job and the alarms going off when it got running.
I had a Suzuki GN400 with a slash cut cherry bomb exhaust that set off alarms like that. But back then, loud noises setting off alarms was the norm 🤣🤣🤣

[@Smurphenstein]

So far ahead of your time. Can't believe what you were doing way back then is only what some are catching up to now.

[@K-Effect]

This truck is awesome!

[@bankspower]

It sure is!

[@joethomas6457]

I would love to hang out with this guy and Bob Lutz. Back in those days my dream was to work for GM.

[@negan454ss]

I owe my 1993 454ss to Gale. 502 with a whipple. Stock form not what Gale envisioned but a great base to build from

[@hvacmach]

These videos are fun and I always learn something, but lets get back to school!!!!

[@racetrack_life]

Gale has hair I just thought he was always bald 🤣

[@johnnyd6861]

What an awesome video.

[@grendelum]

gale had such nice yellow/green hair in the 80s ;¬)

[@TheBelaire]

I wish he would turn his attention to gasoline engines again. He treats his work as a science project. 🧬

[@azlandpilotcar4450]

That necktie should be framed and signed.

[@SaabStory636]

Insane that he wanted to sell a 600 hp truck to the general population back then. Would’ve been the fastest thing in your area for decades.

[@madmiata1887]

They cut Gale off when he tried to nerd out on all the tech :(

[@Abe_Sheen]

Are you sure this was recorded in 1989? I can see a silver 1992 Toyota Camry in the background @ 3:34 !!

[@Johnnyo1300]

I’ve been following you since I was a kid I’ve been looking for your TwinTurbo kit for a big block Chevy you had a kit that Bragdon fuel economy for a big block Chevy and then it disappeared let me guess big oil I’m building a couple of big blocks for some 1 ton trucks and I’m going to TwinTurbo one of them and you’re at the top of the list any advice I’m all ears and if there’s any new old stock laying around oh my goodness would I be proud

[@brandonhurst2188]

Jeez the syclone was mentioned so much in this video! Rare find those Sy's and Ty's. Saudi Sy's are even more rare! Like a Sonoma GT, but foreign.

[@colbymarsh2074]

Even more rare, the Marlboro Syclones

[@hplyer]

That’s Dave …….

[@kaylanwoytas4744]

AI fix please ,er upscale idk

[@evilbeetlekustomscreations4965]

My bug does a better burnout😂

[@MultiChimRichalds]

Click bait title

[@bankspower]

Yes, just a little.

[@misterrc51]

@@bankspower l don’t think so, l have lots of your products, keep up the good work Gale Banks,👍🇺🇸🇺🇸