2007 marks the 20^th anniversary of one of the most unique trim lines ever offered on the Chevrolet Corvette.  Known by dealers as “B2K RPO”, these 1987 Corvettes had a factory option of a twin turbo engine upgrade, making 345 horsepower (and later on 450 horsepower), but 105 horsepower gain over the base model Corvettes wasn’t what made these models rare.  What made these cars unusual was that this marked the first time (and still the only time) that General Motors had outsourced something as serious as a high performance engine option to an aftermarket manufacturer.  That task was given to Callaway Engineering, and they did not disappoint.  The Callaway Corvettes were offered from 1987 to 1991, when they were replaced by the Corvette ZR-1, even though the two models were offered together in 1990 and 1991.  During those years, Callaway produced around 500 of these Super Corvettes, and they have become among the most sought-after models to Corvette collectors.  One of those Callaway Corvettes, named the Sledgehammer, made 880 horsepower, setting the record for the fastest street legal production car, with a top speed of 254.76 miles per hour.  There had been mentions of building more Sledgehammers if anyone was interested, but none were made as many people were turned off by the 400,000 US Dollar price tag.  While Callaway Engineering has kept busy since the C4 years, modifying a wide variety of vehicles from Land Rovers to Mazdas to Aston Martins, the popularity of the original, combined with the 20^th anniversary of the original Callaway Vette influenced Callaway to release a new version.  While the new Callaway SuperCharged Corvette is no longer a factory offered package, these new units offer either 560+ horsepower, which helps to bolster the reputation of being one of the fastest cars around the world.

The engine of the 2007 Callaway SuperCharged Corvette follow suit of the originals, in that the performance is increased by means of forced induction.  The twin turbochargers of the C4 models have been discarded in favor of an Eaton supercharger, and the L98 has been replaced with the LS2 engine.  The LS2 engine, which is the base engine for the C6 Corvette, Pontiac GTO, and Trailblazer SS, makes 400 horsepower in its stock form, but this blown LS2 makes 560 horsepower and 529 lb-ft of torque, with the aid of an upgraded fuel system and fuel injectors.  The supercharger is a roots style unit, mated with an intake manifold-integrated intercooler. Helping the engine breathe and make the huge power, is the Callaway “Double-D” exhaust system, combining performance with uniqueness, helping the Callaway Corvette further stand out from the production Corvettes.  Giving the engine a touch of dress-up, all Callaway Corvettes come with chrome embossed Callaway injector covers, finished in the exterior color. 

560 horsepower isn’t enough for you?  You’re in luck.  Callaway offers their optional Performance Package, which comes with the Supercharged LS2 prepared for the 616 horsepower Callaway C16 Supercar (also offering 582 lb-ft of torque).  This optional Callaway Performance Package allows the 2007 Callaway Corvette to run an impressive 10.9 @ 129 miles per hour in the quarter mile, and turn a blistering top speed of 206 miles per hour!

Helping put the power to the ground are the buyers choice of either an automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted shift paddles, or a 6-speed manual transmission.  Those who decide on the 6-speed manual transmission can purchase an optional short-throw shifter, as well as a heavy duty clutch and flywheel package.  While there are no suspension or braking modifications standard with the introduction package, owners who are serious about the cars full capacity on the road and on the track can include the Callaway Lemans brake package and the Callaway Eibach Multi-Pro Suspension package.  The performance numbers stated earlier are for a fully loaded Callaway Corvette with the Performance Package.

The exterior additions to the new Callaway Corvette, much like the original, are all fairly subtle.  The most obvious physical change is the “supercharger hood”, which increases a painted bulge, with almost a modern take on the vintage GM “Cowl Induction” hood.  The only other standard change to the exterior is the badging, which boasts of the forced induction under the hood.  There is a pair of optional wheel and tire packages, offering Callaway Dymag 9-spoke wheels, in either 18” front and 19” rear, or 19” front and 20” rear.

The interior also has some gentle styling changes, starting with the Callaway Dash Plaque, engraved with the vehicle identification number.  Embroidered Callaway floor mats and Embossed door-sill plates proudly wear the Callaway logo, and like the other areas of the vehicle, there are some high priced options.  Race inspiring seats are offering, matching the interior and exterior color of the car, and the Callaway Deutschleder Interior Package adds a touch of class and a lot of color.

2007 Callaway SuperCharged Corvette

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