Callaway Cars
Peter Callaway, General Manager Michael Zoner, Managing Director Patrick Hodgins, Chief Engineer Callaway Cars Inc. is an American specialty vehicle manufacturer and engineering company that designs, develops, and manufactures high-performance product packages for cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs.
[2] Realizing its commercial potential, he told Sherman that he could make turbocharger kits available to the BMW community despite not having the necessary equipment to manufacture the components including a drill press.
This attracted the attention of GM engineering, which led Callaway to become famous in 1987 when they adapted the twin turbo conversion for the Corvette.
In exchange for the design, Drake Engineering concurrently sold the kit under their own name for the first two years of production; thereafter, Callaway retained exclusive rights.
It was intended to show Callaway's capability to design and implement complex high performance engine program.
Callaway's success with turbocharger kits led to a commission from Alfa Romeo to produce a higher end version of its 2.5-liter GTV-6 coupé.
[6] In addition to numerous small component upgrades, the Callaway GTVs included a much revised suspension, improved brakes and a twin-turbocharger system, boosting performance to near-exotic levels.
The car's performance caught the attention of Dave McLellan, Chief Engineer of the Corvette, which would subsequently lead to the Callaway-Corvette association it would become famous for.
[2] The special edition Callaway Twin Turbo Corvette was available from 1987 to 1991 as Regular Production Option (RPO) B2K and could be ordered from select dealers in the US.
Corvette orders with the B2K option selected were shipped to Callaway Cars in Old Lyme, Connecticut, for the Twin Turbo conversion directly from the Bowling Green assembly plant.
Built using production chassis 1988–051, it achieved its World Record Title in November 1988 at the Ohio Transportation Research Center (TRC).
On the performance side, the 1987 production version of the Callaway Twin Turbo, B2K option provided 345 hp (257 kW) and 465 lb⋅ft (630 N⋅m) of torque, with a top speed of 178 mph (286 km/h), at a price of just over $50K.
The exhaust system backpressure was reduced by 43 percent, and the interior sound level in the passenger cabin was virtually unchanged.
The straight exit twin outlets are accented by T-304 stainless steel resonator tips to visually differentiate the Callaway 4.6 HSE from other Range Rovers.
The exterior components painted to match the body color are the entire front bumper cover, the front grill, left and right headlamp trim, left and right door mirror casings, and rear bumper including area with exhaust tip openings.
In total, 20 cars were produced with exposed headlights, two taillights as opposed to the traditional four, complete leather-covered interiors dyed to the owner's specifications.
They were conservatively tuned and badged as 300 kW (408 PS; 402 hp) with a T56 six-speed manual transmission and four-piston caliper disc brakes all-round; they were the flagship of Holden Special Vehicles.
Technical – Enhanced GTS 300: Once the original ECU was remapped, valve springs were replaced with performance double springs, replaced titanium retainers, slightly shorter pushrods, and the air intake and exhaust systems were modified, they produced in excess of 340 kW (462 PS; 456 hp).
Chevrolet Division of General Motors granted exclusive authorization to construct, homologate and sell Corvette C7 GT3-R's worldwide, except North America where Cadillac Racing campaigned in GT3.
[11] In 2010, Callaway drivers Christian Hohenadel and Daniel Keilwitz finished the season as FIA GT3 champions, taking four victories to secure the title with a round to spare.
The C16 is marketed as an alternative to the Porsche 911 GT3, the Lamborghini Murciélago, the Ferrari F430 or the 599 GTB and is offered in three different body styles, cabrio, coupé and speedster.
[13] The car is sold fully equipped with a set coordinated features such as the supercharged engine, full leather interior, proprietary Callaway/Eibach suspension system, the LeMans brakes and carbon magnesium wheels.
Each had identical equipment, including special wheels, interior components, and a higher horsepower engine, developing 620 bhp.
A tempered glass covered opening, surrounded in carbon fiber trim in the bonnet allows for a view of the engine.
For the 2014 model year, the SportTruck series gained power with the new GM Direct Injection V8 engines as the basis.
Already a successful supplier of generators to industry, Mr. Speiss hired Karl Heinz Knapp to engineer and produce the world's first all-carbon composite sports GT car.
Callaway was hired to design and produce the engine package based on its experience with the twin turbo Corvette program for GM.
Full compliance with EC regulations, 600 bhp / 600 lb-ft torque, bespoke configuration and production quality control were all requirements of the program.
Callaway's answer was a turbocharged, fuel injected version of the original Stutz 5.0 liter DOHC straight eight that made more than 300 bhp at 3800 rpm.
With its exceptionally-high specific power output, striking visuals and an exhaust note only a high revving V16 can make, this powerplant should be reserved for a very special vehicle.
