Tuesday, January 06, 2015

The World's Fastest Cars (10): Callaway Sledgehammer Corvette


Stock Corvette:

  • 150 mph top speed


Callaway Twin Turbo:

  • 180 mph top speed
  • 0-60 under 5 seconds
  • 13 second quarter mile
  • 185 sold at Chevy dealerships in 1987
  • more sold in 1988

Callaway Sledgehammer:

  • built in response to AMG Hammer with 186 mph top speed
  • Reeves Callaway would attempt 250 mph run; "drag racer" John Lingenfelter would be back-up driver
  • high speed run took place at 7.5 mile high banked Transportation Research Center in Ohio
  • twin turbocharged 350 engine produced 1,013 horsepower
  • the record setting car drove from Callaway's headquarters in Connecticut to Ohio
  • standard equipment: leather, power windows, carpet, cassette player, roll cage, fire system, 5-point safety harness
  • body kit available to any 1984 or newer Corvette for $5,000
  • the result: Lingenfelter took it to 254.76 mph

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