Callaway

Callaway Cars Inc. was based in Old Lyme, Connecticut. The company was founded by Reeves Callaway, who began his career selling turbocharger kits before moving into building limited-edition vehicles for major automobile manufacturers. His first commercial project involved producing 36 turbocharged versions of the Alfa Romeo GTV/6 sedan.

In 1985, Callaway developed his first twin-turbocharged Corvette, based on the C4 platform. The car produced 345 horsepower and reached speeds of up to 178 mph (286 km/h), which led Chevrolet to offer Callaway conversions as factory options complete with full manufacturer warranties. In 1989, Callaway also designed the V8 engine used in the Aston Martin Virage.

By 1990, the company had developed a Corvette variant known as the Sledgehammer, which produced 880 horsepower and was clocked at 254.76 mph (409.91 km/h). In 1993, Callaway introduced the Super Speedster, a Corvette-based model featuring a cut-down windscreen and twin rear headrests, powered by a 700-horsepower turbocharged Corvette ZR-1 engine. It was sold for $300,000.

The company later developed a line of normally aspirated vehicles called Supernaturals, which included the C6 Corvette, the C8 Camaro, and the C9 Impala SS, all equipped with engines producing over 400 horsepower.

In 1995, Callaway introduced a reworked version of the Corvette known as the C7 LM, intended for both street and racing use. The car featured a rounded, more aerodynamic front end with covered headlights and a redesigned tail with a pedestal-type spoiler. The street version produced 435 horsepower and reached 182 mph (293 km/h), while the racing variant produced 475 horsepower and achieved speeds of 193 mph (311 km/h).

A partnership with Range Rover led to the production of 220 units of the C11 Limited Edition Range Rover, which featured 245-horsepower engines and distinctive black paint schemes. In 1998, Callaway introduced the C12, a Corvette-based sports car with an entirely original body design. The C12 reached a top speed of 190 mph (306 km/h) and was used for both racing and street purposes.