CampbellCarl
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Brochure from 1977. Check the prices!
Good timing,, a friend of mine called, I met him when I worked at Gale Banks in the late 70's, and then rebuilt his Banks 850 turbo engine for him when I worked at Rex Marine in 1981. I think his 20' Campbell is a 1979 model, it's been sitting in the garage for the past 10 years. He wants to bring it down soon and have me check it over and then water test it.
So you noticed the Banks option on the lower right of the last page?
What would you expect that option to cost in today's money?
Carl
Tell me more about the Whaler...I always liked the open bow, shallow V...seems like a great play boat, 1/2 pontoon 1/2 ski boat...
Did they ever make a hipo version? Maybe 4 stringers and a lighter layup?
so Banks doesn't make marine turbo engines anymore? kinda sucks. i guess the money is so thick in diesel trucks they dont want to bother?I was trying to figure out if that was an add on price,,, still seemed a bit low even for then. The photo shows a single radiator intercooler,, normally not used for the higher horsepower engines when I worked there, and claims it to be 797 HP.
If I recall,, the "850 HP" blueprinted turbo engine with Carrillo rods and Arias pistons was around $11,000 in 1979. The marine LS 6 engines were costing us around $1700 each, and usually came in in quantities of 50 or more. The "650 HP" engines were simply the factory engine with it's forged crank, 7/16" rods, and forged 8.8-1 compression pistons with the supplied 990 iron heads.
It's really hard to guess a "today" price, since no one is making a comparable turbo kit that I am aware of,, but at least double, perhaps $25K-$30K
so Banks doesn't make marine turbo engines anymore? kinda sucks. i guess the money is so thick in diesel trucks they dont want to bother?
Tell me more about the Whaler...I always liked the open bow, shallow V...seems like a great play boat, 1/2 pontoon 1/2 ski boat...
Did they ever make a hipo version? Maybe 4 stringers and a lighter layup?
Not sure if theres any hot rod 24's. I know it would take a ton of power to get them to move.
Dave Kahn had a blown 24 cruiser that would run close to 90 mph. Joey Cucci is finishing a 24 whaler (same colors as your friends) with a 502/502 v-drive that should run well into the 60's.
impretty sure they made an even bigger whaler.years back i was doing a boat for Cheeta Bob,[he was renting space at the Campbell building]and there was a big whaler in there,twin,twin turbo smallblock V drive deal.not sure what size it was,but seemed bigger than 24. It had woodinlayed front floor with inlayed perimiter lighting, a beer tap,a full party float:thumbsup
so Banks doesn't make marine turbo engines anymore? kinda sucks. i guess the money is so thick in diesel trucks they dont want to bother?
Very cool Wheeler......looks like the early 'overnighter' that Billy and Bobby did. Was a 22'r (pre 24'r which was Campbells most popular boat). Was said that the design criterion was pretty simple......be able to go to Catalina, spend the night, return the next day and have a ride smooth enough to NOT spill martini's on the way over or back.
Good timing,, a friend of mine called, I met him when I worked at Gale Banks in the late 70's, and then rebuilt his Banks 850 turbo engine for him when I worked at Rex Marine in 1981. I think his 20' Campbell is a 1979 model, it's been sitting in the garage for the past 10 years. He wants to bring it down soon and have me check it over and then water test it.
I was trying to figure out if that was an add on price,,, still seemed a bit low even for then. The photo shows a single radiator intercooler,, normally not used for the higher horsepower engines when I worked there, and claims it to be 797 HP.
If I recall,, the "850 HP" blueprinted turbo engine with Carrillo rods and Arias pistons was around $11,000 in 1979. The marine LS 6 engines were costing us around $1700 each, and usually came in in quantities of 50 or more. The "650 HP" engines were simply the factory engine with it's forged crank, 7/16" rods, and forged 8.8-1 compression pistons with the supplied 990 iron heads.
It's really hard to guess a "today" price, since no one is making a comparable turbo kit that I am aware of,, but at least double, perhaps $25K-$30K
Necropost alert! In 1979 I bought a 26' Sleekcraft Ambassador direct from the factory, Nescher didn't have any dealers in the Houston area. It was a jet with a Harmon 440.
I took it out to Lake Somerville shortly after driving to LA to pick it up. I was feelin' mighty important with that big boat, a mile of top deck accented in woodgrain.
A couple of guys in two Spectra 24's pulled alongside and we took off in the Big Race. I was feeling pretty good about my 52 MPH top speed when both of these guys put the hammer down and left me.
Turns out they both had Banks turbo kits...
On Monday morning I called Banks and got Gail on the line. He quoted me a price of $11,000, so your memory is good. My boat cost $16,000 new, so spending that much more was out of the question as you might imagine.
I used an inflation calculator on that number, in today's dollars it's right around $36,500.
I don't see the brochure. I have one I want to post but don't want to duplicate.Brochure from 1977. Check the prices!
I don't see the brochure. I have one I want to post but don't want to duplicate.