Callaway Cars — BrandWiki

Callaway Cars

Overview

Callaway C16

platform
manufacturer	Callaway Cars
production	2007
assembly	Irvine, California Old Lyme, Connecticut Leingarten, Germany
predecessor	Callaway C12
class	Sports car
body style	Cabrio Coupé Speedster
layout	FR layout

engine	6.2 L (378 cu in) LS3 supercharged V8

transmission	6 speed manual automatic paddle-shift transmission

wheelbase	268.5 cm

length	410.0 cm

width	184.4 cm

height	122.2 cm

weight	1530.9 kg

related	Chevrolet Corvette C6

designer	Paul Deutschman

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. They specialize in Corvettes and other General Motors (GM) vehicles. New GM vehicles are delivered to Callaway facilities where special packages and components are installed. Then the vehicles are delivered to GM new car dealers where they are sold to retail customers, branded as Callaway. Callaway Cars is one of four core Callaway companies, including Callaway Engineering, Callaway Carbon and Callaway Competition.

History

In 1973 Reeves Callaway (full name Ely Reeves Callaway III), son of Callaway Golf founder Ely Callaway Jr.,[1] was not in a financial position to start the racing career he was aspiring to. Instead, he went to work as a driving instructor at Bob Bondurant's racing school.[2] While using the newly launched BMW 320i as a school car, he became familiar with its intricacies and deficiencies, and later convinced BMW to let him take one of its cars to his garage in Old Lyme, Connecticut, to tune it for more power.[1][2]

As a result, Callaway constructed and installed his first prototype turbocharger system and offered Car and Driver journalist Don Sherman the opportunity to drive the car resulting in a one-page article, giving the modified car great acclaim.[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.[2] In 1977, he founded Callaway Cars, Inc.[2]

Over the years, Callaway developed turbocharger kits for BMW, Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. He also developed the HH IndyCar V8 engine and later produced twin turbo conversions of the Alfa Romeo GTV6 for Alfa Romeo USA—35 Twin Turbo GTV6 were produced, most of which still exist in 2023. 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. Built under Regular Production Option (RPO) B2K, the Callaway Twin Turbo Corvette was available through Chevrolet dealers as a factory option. Callaway sold 510 of them over a period of five years.[3]

Callaway was also commissioned by Aston Martin to design new cylinder heads for the Aston Martin Virage 5.3 L V8 engine, which led to him managing the engine program for its AMR1 Group C racer.[2]

Callaway Cars headquarters is in Old Lyme, Connecticut with West Coast facilities in Temecula, California, and European facilities in Leingarten, Germany. Its current projects are the Corvette Z06-based Callaway Corvette SC757, Stingray-based Callaway Corvette SC627, Callaway Tahoe/Suburban, Yukon/Yukon XL and Escalade/Escalade ESV SC480 and SC560, Callaway Camaro SC630 and SC750, and Cadillac-based Callaway CTS-V SC740.

Reeves Callaway died on July 11, 2023, at the age of 75.

Projects

Callaway tend to refer to each project with a C, followed by a project number.

C1 (Callaway Turbo Systems)

The Callaway Turbo Systems was the name of the development program and subsequent sale of the developed product, aftermarket turbocharger systems for BMW, VW, Porsche, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. The Callaway C1 VW turbo kit was contracted to Drake Engineering for the design. 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. This was the first of the Callaway's projects, running from its company's foundation in 1977 to 1984.[2][4]

C2 (Callaway HH Indy Car Engine)

The Callaway HH Indy Car Engine was a project to build a racing engine for IndyCar specifications from semi-scratch as an eleven-months-long program between 1980 and 1981. It was intended to show Callaway's capability to design and implement a complex high-performance engine program.[5]

Notable models

2012 RPO B2K Callaway 25th Anniversary Limited Edition Corvette

In 2012, Chevrolet re-released the RPO B2K for use with the Callaway 25th Anniversary Limited Edition Corvette.

The legendary RPO, which was first used on the 1987–1991 Callaway Twin Turbo Corvettes, returned for use on the Corvettes, commemorating 25 years of Callaway's relationship with the Corvette.[17]

SledgeHammer Corvette

In a Car and Driver test event known as “Gathering of Eagles” (1987), Callaway drove a specially-modified Callaway Twin Turbo Corvette (C4), known as the "Top Gun" project, to a top speed of 231 mph, winning the magazine's shootout. A production Callaway managed a best of 187.95 mph.[18]

Callaway wanted to push the top speed record further, while still maintaining good street manners, so the Callaway team developed the SledgeHammer Corvette. Reeves Callaway commissioned Paul Deutschman of Deutschman Design to develop the Callaway AeroBody for aerodynamic stability as well as for underhood air management.

External links

References

Reeves Callaway www.hemmings.com, retrieved 2022-02-02^
Callaway Cars Callaway Cars, retrieved 2011-11-03^
1987 Callaway Twin Turbo Corvette - Featured Corvettes - Vette Magazine Vetteweb.com, 2007-02-26, retrieved 2011-11-03^

C4 (RPO B2K Callaway Twin Turbo Corvette)

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.

Once converted and tested, the Callaway Corvettes were then shipped to their ordering dealers for final delivery to their respective owners. Dealer repairs of the Callaway Twin Turbo Corvettes were covered by the standard GM 12-month/12,000 mile warranty, with Callaway Cars, Inc. reimbursing dealers for time and materials on repairs to the added components. This was the only time GM allowed a factory-orderable non-GM performance enhancement on the Corvette.

The ultimate Callaway Twin Turbo Corvette is known as the Sledgehammer Corvette. Until 1999, the Callaway Sledgehammer Corvette held the World Street Legal speed record of 254.76 mi/h. It is an emissions-compliant, street-legal vehicle with all the creature comforts, like air conditioning, radio, etc. that a customer would find in any production street Corvette. Built using production chassis 1988–051, it achieved its World Record Title in November 1988 at the Ohio Transportation Research Center (TRC). In addition to Callaway's engine performance improvements, the Sledgehammer Corvette used modified body panels to reduce drag and improve stability. This body modification, known as the Callaway AeroBody, was designed by Automotive Designer Paul Deutschman. The Callaway AeroBody was later available as an appearance enhancement option for Callaway Corvettes beginning in the 1989 model year.

On the performance side, the 1987 production version of the Callaway Twin Turbo B2K option provided 345 hp and 465 lbft of torque, with a top speed of 178 mi/h, at a price of just over $50K. In those days, this brought the Callaway Corvette into the performance category of Ferrari and Lamborghini, which cost in the range of $100–$175K. According to National Corvette Museum records, 188 Corvettes were built that model year, with the Callaway Twin Turbo (B2K) option on 167 cars.

As a footnote to 1987 production, one 1986 Callaway Twin Turbo Corvette was built at the very start of production. This sole 1986 Callaway Corvette, was built using one of the fifty Malcolm Konner Commemorative Edition Corvette Coupes (RPO Code 4001ZA) built that year and counted under 1986 Callaway Corvette production.

For 1988, Callaway increased the stock performance of the Twin Turbo Corvette to yield 382 hp and 562 lbft of torque. That year, 125 Callaway Twin Turbo Corvettes were built, with 105 ordered with the RPO B2K option.

The 1989 Callaway Twin Turbo option provided the same power output as the 1988. However, after the World Record run of the Callaway Sledgehammer, the AeroBody became an option for the Callaway Twin Turbo Corvette. A total of 51 (B2K) Callaway Twin Turbo Corvettes were ordered that year with a total of 68 cars produced.

In 1990, GM finally introduced their ZR-1 Corvette, which obtained similar performance characteristics as the 1989 Callaway Twin-Turbo option. Although power was up to 390 hp and 562 lbft of torque, 1990 saw the lowest number of (B2K) Callaway Twin Turbo Corvettes ordered: 59 were ordered, with only 58 actually built.

To counter the ZR-1, for the 1991 model year, Callaway was able to bring up the output of the B2K option up to 402 hp and 582 lbft of torque. 1991 would be the last year of the L98 engine, which was the base engine of the Callaway Twin Turbo Corvette. There were 62 ordered in this last year of Twin Turbo production. In total, 497 (B2K) Callaway Twin Turbo Corvettes were ordered through the normal sales channels. However, before the Callaway Twin Turbo option went away, Callaway and Deutschman went to work to provide yet another more powerful and stunning car, the Callaway Speedster. A small amount of the final twin turbo cars and the Speedsters—including 10 Series 1 Speedsters with the L98 Twin Turbo—were designated 500 Series Callaway Twin Turbo Corvettes. These unique cars came with OZ Racing wheels and Bridgestone Potenza tires, a "500 Series" dash plaque, a "500 Series" intercooler badge, a special car bra, a car cover, and floor mats.

Regarding the "production" of the Callaway Sledgehammer, Reeves Callaway built it using a production Callaway Twin Turbo Corvette (chassis 1988–051). The car was, in fact, a production car, with all options found in other Corvettes of the same model year.

C11 (Limited Edition Range Rover 4.6 HSE)

The top-of-the-line model in 1999 was a limited edition Range Rover 4.6 HSE modified by Callaway in Old Lyme, Connecticut. A total of 220 were made and each one was numbered with "Callaway" stickers on the dash. They were available in Niagra Gray, Epsom Green, or Rutland Red. They had much of the black plastic painted body color and a special dual exhaust system. The high performance Callaway engine with 240 bhp at 5,000 rpm and peak torque of 285 ft.lbf at 3,500 rpm improved the 4.6 HSE acceleration 0-60 mph from 9.7 seconds to 8.6 seconds. The Callaway 4.6 HSE sold for $75,000.

The "short block" of the engine is the same as other Land Rover 4.6 HSE models. Short blocks used for the 4.6L Callaway engines were stamped with a 9.60:1 compression ratio marking from Land Rover. The increase of 0.25 points, up from the standard 4.6L compression ratio of 9.35:1 was achieved by a modification to the cylinder heads. The cylinder heads were also modified to improve the airflow into and out of the combustion chambers. The inlet manifold gasket front valley clamp was changed to accommodate the heater hose positioning on the bottom front of the Callaway manifold. The ram pipe housing was modified by shortening the ram pipe tube lengths. The intake runner lengths were tuned to increase both power and torque. The black plastic air inlet tube was replaced with a larger diameter fancy looking carbon fiber inlet tube to match the larger throttle bore in the plenum. The air cleaner box base was modified to increase the airflow. The Lucas GEMS ECU was calibrated to support the mechanical changes to the Callaway engine (the Callaway engine had the same basic FI as in 1998 and did not have the Bosch system that was on other 1999 HSEs).

The Callaway drivetrain was also modified. The automatic transmission used in the Callaway 4.6 HSE Range has a different torque converter and the transmission control unit (TCU) was recalibrated to take advantage of the increased torque and power of the engine. The shift points in both "normal" and "sport" modes were changed to match the engine's increased power.

The electronic shift transfer case has a new ratio sprocket set and chain. The resulting new ratios provide a high range ratio of 1.294:1 and a low range ratio of 3.481:1. The ratio change improves acceleration performance in the high range while also providing improved off-road crawl performance and coast-down rates in the low range.

The front axle shafts used on the Callaway 4.6 HSE were strengthened to withstand the increased torque applied to the front wheels from the engine and transmission changes. A material change in the axles ensures durability will be maintained for the front axle half shafts.

Callaway decided to use a four-pin front differential to accommodate the increased torque rather than the two-pin front differential used on standard production Range Rovers. After working with Callaway on the four-pin front differential, Land Rover decided to put them in all of the 1999 Range Rovers since the 4-wheel traction control that added ABS-regulated traction control to the front axle in 1999 also put extra stress on the front differential (Range Rovers from 1993 to 1998 only had traction control on the rear axle).

The Callaway dual exhaust had reduced backpressure and was similar to the dual exhaust that all NAS Range Rovers received in the 2000 model year. Changes to the exhaust system were made rearward of the catalyst "Y" pipe. The exhaust system backpressure was reduced by 43 percent, and the interior sound level in the passenger cabin was virtually unchanged. The center silencer provides reduced backpressure and is constructed from stainless steel. A twin tail pipe system was selected to provide a performance look and sound. 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 pipes are welded onto the stock mufflers, and the rear bumper has cutouts for the tailpipes like it had in 1995 and 1996 (the stock single muffler pointed down, and the rear bumper did not have any cutout on the 1997, 1998 and non-Callaway 1999 Range Rovers). The exterior of the Callaway 4.6 HSE Range Rover had painted body color components. 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.

All Callaway Range Rovers came with the "Proline" 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels. Body colors were available in Niagara Gray, Epsom Green, and Rutland Red.

The vehicles are badged with "CALLAWAY" on the upper engine plenum, and on the lower rear tailgate under the 4.6 HSE logs. Some examples also have Callaway stickers on the front fenders.

Inside, the Callaway Range Rovers received some additional wood surrounding the power window switches and HVAC controls, wood and leather steering wheels, and most had GPS.

C15 (FIA Corvette GT3)

The Callaway Project C15 was originally known as the Corvette Z06.R GT3, a competition version of the Corvette C6 Z06 built to compete in the FIA GT3 category of GT racing. The cars are built at Callaway Competition's facility in Leingarten, Germany and raced in the FIA GT3 European Championship. With Chevrolet's 2014 Corvette model change, Callaway Competition began development of the C7 GT3-R racecar. The new car made its debut at the Hockenheimring in Germany in October 2015. The Chevrolet Division of General Motors granted exclusive authorization to construct, homologate and sell Corvette C7 GT3-Rs worldwide, except North America where Cadillac Racing campaigned in GT3. For the 2018 racing season, Chevrolet expanded their exclusive authorization to include North America, as the Cadillac Racing program was terminated.

The first three Z06.Rs were built for Callaway Competition themselves, followed by the rest for privateers. As of 2007, ten were built to compete in FIA GT3, as well as the ADAC GT Masters and Belcar series.

In 2007, the Callaway Competition team, competing under the Martini-Callaway title in the FIA GT3 European Championship, earned three race victories and three second-place finishes and won the Teams Championship. Drivers Luca Pirri and Jürgen von Gartzen took the runners-up in the GT3 Driver's Championship.[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 knowledge and experience learned from the race program was used in the Callaway C16 series of road-going sports cars.

Except for 2011, Callaway Competition has been competing in the ADAC GT Masters series. The Callaway Corvette C6 and C7 racecars have also been active in other series. For the 2017 race season, Callaway and its drivers captured the ADAC GT Masters Teams Championship, Drivers Championship, Junior Championship and second place in the Trophy Championship.

Un-numbered projects

Mercedes Benz 240D, 1983

Initially created for Callaway's own personal 240D
Boosted stock power from 67 hp to an estimated 95 hp
Covered in detail by Motor Trend in May 1983

Kohler Turbocharged Generator Sets, 1985

Kohler Generator Division asked Callaway to increase the power output of a genset by 50%. Most standby generators are housed in rooms that are not easy to resize, yet the demands for standby, emergency, and backup power increase. If the same frame size could potentially produce more power, the economics are clear. Callaway supplied the development, testing, and subsequent production turbocharger systems to Kohler.

Iso Rivolta Grifo 90 Prototype, 1990–1991

In 1990, Renzo Rivolta's son, Piero, asked Callaway to be the engine supplier to his new Iso Rivolta Grifo 90, a revival of the Iso Rivoltas from the 1960s and 1970s. The Iso Rivolta cars had DNA that included Italian coachwork and V8 engines from Corvette—an inspiring formula for many. The challenge was to create a powerful, modern, 1990s design and restart the car company. Three elements were brought together: Marcello Gandini (designer of the Lamborghini Miura, among others), Giampaolo Dallara (Dallara formula cars) and Callaway to be the contributors to the Grifo 90 Project. The design was penned, the full-size clay commissioned, and the car was presented to the press in Italy in the spring of 1990. The economics of the time prevailed and the promises of government financing never materialized, and the project halted.

Speiss Twin Turbo V8, 1991–1992

The Speiss Supercar was commissioned by Robert Speiss to be constructed in his private factory in Gemmingen, Germany. 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 and 600 lb-ft torque, bespoke configuration and production quality control were all requirements of the program. Unique intake manifolding, twin AiResearch turbochargers, and specially cast exhaust manifolds resulted in a svelte package. The project was cancelled before production began. However, the vehicle did meet all of its technical objectives.

Ruger-Stutz DV32 Turbo, 1993–2001

William Ruger Sr., of arms-making fame, was in love with the Stutz DV32 in his youth. He challenged Callaway Engineering with the assignment: "If you were Harry Stutz, and you suddenly awakened knowing what is now known about engine technology, what would you do to the DV32?" 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. The modernized engine drove a GM Turbo-Hydramatic 4L80E. Suitable power and torque for a 6000-pound automobile.

Callaway Cyclone V16, 2004–

The Callaway Cyclone V16 is a prototype engine for a future Callaway project.[16]

Specifications:

16 cylinder, 90° V-angle, aluminum cylinder block with iron liners, aluminum cylinder heads
3993.46 cc, naturally aspirated, electronic fuel injection
Bore: 75.50 mm (2.972″)
Stroke: 55.75 mm (2.195″)
Compression ratio: 11.5:1
Valvetrain: DOHC, 5 valves per cylinder, patented camshaft drive system
Maximum horsepower: 550 bhp at 10,000 rpm (2.26 bhp/cid, 138 bhp/L)
Peak torque: 340 lb-ft at 8,500 rpm
Maximum engine speed: 10,500 rpm
Length: 926 mm (36.45″)
Width: 540 mm (21.25″)
Height to top of throttle body trumpets: 500 mm (19.70″)

History

Projects

C1 (Callaway Turbo Systems)

C2 (Callaway HH Indy Car Engine)

Notable models

2012 RPO B2K Callaway 25th Anniversary Limited Edition Corvette

SledgeHammer Corvette

External links

References

C3 (Alfa Romeo Callaway Twin Turbo GTV-6)

C4 (RPO B2K Callaway Twin Turbo Corvette)

C5 (Aston Martin Virage V8 and AMR-1 Group C Engine)

C7 (Callaway C7)

C8 (SuperNatural Camaro)

C9 (Callaway Impala SS)

C10 (Limited Edition Corvette Ski Boat)

C11 (Limited Edition Range Rover 4.6 HSE)

C12 (Callaway C12 and IVM C12)

C13 (Holden Special Vehicles GTS Coupe)

C14 (Mazdaspeed Protegé)

C15 (FIA Corvette GT3)

C16 (Callaway C16)

C17 (Callaway Corvette)

C18 (2009–Present Callaway Camaro)

C19 (Callaway SportTruck)

C20 (Callaway Corvette)

C21 (Callaway AeroWagen)

Un-numbered projects

Mercedes Benz 240D, 1983

Kohler Turbocharged Generator Sets, 1985

Iso Rivolta Grifo 90 Prototype, 1990–1991

Speiss Twin Turbo V8, 1991–1992

Ruger-Stutz DV32 Turbo, 1993–2001

Callaway Cyclone V16, 2004–

Mercedes Benz 240D, 1983

Kohler Turbocharged Generator Sets, 1985

Iso Rivolta Grifo 90 Prototype, 1990–1991

Speiss Twin Turbo V8, 1991–1992

Ruger-Stutz DV32 Turbo, 1993–2001

Callaway Cyclone V16, 2004–

Performance

Performance