The story
History
In 1973 Reeves Callaway (full name Ely Reeves Callaway III), son of Callaway Golf founder Ely Callaway Jr., 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. 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.
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. 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. In 1977, he founded Callaway Cars, Inc.
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.
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.
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.
C18 (2009–Present Callaway Camaro)
C18 represents the Callaway Camaro vehicle and its specific components.
Initially, Callaway SC572 (manual) and SC552 (automatic) Camaros were offered. The alpha-numeric moniker designates the horsepower output of each. A tempered glass covered opening, surrounded in carbon fiber trim in the bonnet allows for a view of the engine.
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Models for 2014–2015 included the SS variants in SC582 and SC562 trim (manual and automatic), along with the Z/28-based Callaway SC652 Camaro. The Callaway SC652 Z/28 Camaro represented the most powerful of all Callaway Camaros to date.
In 2016, the Callaway SC630 Camaro was introduced based on the Camaro SS. It is rated at 630 bhp at 6400 rpm, 610 lb-ft torque at 4400 rpm. Dragstrip results indicated a 0-to-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds and a quarter-mile mile performance of 11.6 seconds at 125 mph. The following year, the 2017–present Callaway SC750 Camaro ZL1 was introduced, and it is the most powerful of all Callaway Camaros to date, as of mid-2018: 750 bhp at 6500 rpm and 739 lb-ft torque at 3650 rpm (SAE). Dragstrip results indicated a 0-to-60 mph time of 3.2 seconds and a quarter-mile performance of 11.0 seconds at 128 mph.
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 American V8 engines. 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.
From Wikipedia’s article on Callaway Cars, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.3