Callaway B2K Corvette as a collector car

I suppose the topic heading will cause some laughter somewhere but my understanding is these cars are relatively, well very rare in SA at least and they do somewhat bask in the shadow of the Sledgehammer.

Anyone owned one of these for a reasonable length of time. I was considering a 308 but in all honesty $60k for a 308 doesn't seem like a value proposition to me. Hence, we potentially have the odd match up of 308 versus Callaway Corvette.

Friend had a Callaway with a Aerobody and the sound that thing made under full boost really captivated me as a 13yo kid.

Is it worth buying one of these or will the reality be underwhelming?

 

i like them. factory aero body car or add on after ?

 

Doesn't sadly have the Aerokit. Has got very low mileage but not sure in todays terms its a car that can provide much driving enjoyment apart from knowing you are driving something very rare.

Not really sure what one of these cars is worth.

 

last i saw, there was a twin turbo car with aerobody and upgraded tk 5 speed (doug nash 4 is crap) with aerokit ... asking $30k

the aerobody kit (if u can find) was $10k plus install.....

i've seen them sell for $15k on up....

 

Mecum auctioned a collection of 7 Callaways earlier this year in Florida, including the Sledgehammer, but apparently only sold 2 of the 7, one of which was a 1988 B2K Convertible, went for $25K....

Results here:

Kissimmee 2014 at | Mecum Auctions

 

with only 93,000 miles....................................................................................

 

In USA Callaways are worth more $ & it will smoke a 308 without even warming up

 

that and an escort gt.............

 

The one I have managed to find has 33k miles.....

 

Hi,

Just wondering if you have considered buying an original Lingenfelter ? If I remember correctly his C4 427 Vettes gave out awesome performance. If my memory serves me correct, the late John Lingenfelter built the engine for the original Callaway Sledgehammer.

Regards,

Ramin

 

The problem is in South Africa we cant import left hand drive cars, unless they are over 40 years old and considered by the government to be collectible...

There is one C5 Lingenfelter in SA and as ridiculous as it sounds, any Corvette is considered to be rare in SA.

I am looking at this Callaway fairly casually because as it stands the price is too high.

 

i think this car is worth every penny

1988 Callaway Twin Turbo Aerobody - Corvette Forum

 

Hi,

Not to get off subject, there was a gorgeous Corvette powered South African car called the Perana Z One. The combination of Zagato styling and Corvette power was (in my opinion) breathtaking with 4 second zero to 60 times. Are these finally available (at least locally ?), perhaps that is an alternative given the restrictions you face, especially (again in my opinion) these cars are definitely destined for future collector status.

Best Wishes

Ramin

 

That is a very nice looking example.

 

my finder fee is a ride but i see u are a bit far away.....

 

You can probably get all your questions answered at the Callaway Owners Group…
The Callaway Owners Group

 

Other Makes Other | eBay

 

I saw this too, featured on Bring A Trailer today, pretty decent looking example.

 

Just saw this thread. Top corvettes in history auction from 6-8 million for a real grand sport, down to $220k for 'big tank' cars. The l88 cars can go for $450k, and they are comparable to what the b2k Callaway twin turbos will soon be with respect to rarity and performance.

The 89 6 speed I drove recently was incredible. Quiet, silky smooth 405 hp/600+ft lbs of torque with only a quiet whistle sound is really nice.

Bottom line, these were the only turbo vettes. They made less than 100 per year. They stickered over $80k new in the 80's. They were the highest performance vettes from 1969 all the way to 2006. Other than an f40, I don't know of any faster cars built in the 80's. It's a legit 195mph car. I think you'll start seeing 6 figure sales for regular nice b2k cars starting in the next few years. Especially the 6 speed cars.

 

Aside from digging up an old thread I have to respond the Theseal's statements. First the Callaway twin turbo from 1987-1991 was an awesome car. Your horsepower statements are way off as well as your claim as being the highest performance Corvettes through 2006. The ZR1 in 1990 had actually slightly better times at the track which helped kill off the twin turbo. The LT1 of 1992 sealed it. Therefore domination through 2006 was actual through 1990. The C5Z which came out in 2001 would best the twin turbo. I have owned Corvettes including the ZR1 and C5Z for over 20yrs and grew up in the early 80's admiring the Callaway. I have never seen one do 195mph as supplied from Callaway either. As stated the ZR1 was thumping it at 180mph. In closing, I do love my vettes as good as any other car and hope to have a Callaway and California or 599 (I know big difference between them) in the garage someday but the Ferrari will be first.

 

Either I or my best friend own an 88 Callaway, 89 Callaway, 94 zr1, 04 z06, 08 z06 right now.

I like them all, but the callaways will be the valuable ones and are significantly faster than the 90's zr1's in almost all respects.

The base Callaway rated hp was 382 and torque 562. Yes, 562. As delivered, they generally made about 55" boost though, instead of the rated 50", and at that boost the figures as delivered were 405/605. The difference between rated and delivered is only a set screw in the waste gates. You can turn the set screw up more and get 500 hp if you want, but you'd better run race gas or risk detonation.

It shows when you drive the car. My friend ran his stock 88 at the Texas mile once, and his car bone stock ran 168 mph. That's right with a stock 2006-13 z06. Way faster than a 04 z06 and light years ahead of the zr1. I have personally seen 188mph and we weren't quite done. The 6 speed cars run a bit better than the 4+3 so it might see 170 in the mile.

An lt1 car is the slowest of any mentioned. Not even in the ballpark. So my statement was accurate about fastest Chevrolet from 1969 to 2006. Actually maybe even up to 2006; I am not sure an l88 or zl1 would necessarily beat the Callaway from a roll. But I assume it would.

The Callaway contract was killed because GM wanted to release the factory zr1 as it's premium model, and show off its 4 valve ohc tech -- and they were not going to sell two competing exotic vettes. The zr1 does quarter mile on average a few tents better than the Callaway, due to difficulty of launch and shifting without excess wheelspin or bogging with the turbos. But in gear the Callaway wins every time.

I like zr1's too but the reality is at their peak the saw 405 hp / 390 to, at 3450+ pounds. The 89 callaway is 3260 lbs, and has 210 more ft lbs of torque stock. No match.

Ps. If you can find an optioned up "100+" car! buy it. Callaway made a few with a custom intake manifold instead if the tpi and that mod alone supported an additional 100 hp.

 

Nice collection there no doubt. But I still disagree with the significantly faster statement. Here is a nice old video comparison from back in the day. I have see other test that swung the other way too but stayed very close: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjYo4XM7sGc

I think you misread my reference to the LT1. I never said it was comparable, I stated that it helped seal the doom for the B2K option when it came out. That is why Callaway never offered it but did a Supernatural instead.

I standby my statements that a Callaway (while awesome and rare) will not beat up on a ZR1. Nor will the ZR1 beat up on a Callaway. It will be a drivers race. Now if you go messing around with boost levels then that obviously changes things.

You mentioned Tx so are you near Houston by chance? I wish I had my '92ZR1 back for sure and a Callaway to go with it. However my quest for a 599 is first. If the experience turns out to not be what I hoped for I can easily sell and go after both.

 

i love those aerobody cars

 

More info than you probably needed ;-)

The Callaway Owners Group - Background Information