Reeves Callaway is the son of Ely Callaway, the inventor of the “Big Bertha”. While he could have been content making the best in golf products, he has a need for speed. That is why he began building fast cars in 1977. Starting out with turbo kits for German exotics, he discovered that Corvette owners like to go fast also. GM was so impressed by his attention to detail, that his twin-turbo engine became a factory option in 1987.
To show the world what his cars could do, he drove a 1988 example from his shop in Connecticut to the Ohio Transportation Test Track. After swapping the tires he went 254.76 mph in a car with full interior and Air Conditioning. It would hold the production car land speed record until the Bugatti Veyron went faster 20 years later. Using lessons learned at high speeds, the AeroBody was developed to address drag and downforce issued GM couldn’t have predicted when the car was designed in the late 70s.
Before Mr. duPont hired me, I was a marketing manager at one of the world’s biggest Corvette parts companies. At one of our shows in 2006, I passed on an opportunity to trade my new 2007 Indy Pace Car Corvette for an AeroBody, and it was a huge mistake because they are selling between 80 to 90 grand to collectors.
Mr. Callaway has allowed his son Peter to take over, and they were both shocked when I sent them this listing. Father and son said it is a great bargain for a piece of history. Ordered and built for their cousin Mark Callaway, it has every option they offered for 1993. First off, the 5.7-liter engine was removed and replaced with a hand-built 383 stroker. Instead of 330 horsepower at the engine, you will have 400 at the wheels. Their proprietary coil-over suspension replaced the leaf springs, and it allowed for a center-exit dual 3″ stainless exhaust. Combined with their “Super Honker” intake, the car has a deep rumble that is unmistakable.
The other hottest aftermarket genius of the time was Steve Saleen, so he challenged Mr. Callaway to a race. The only stipulation was that the loser had to sign the winning car. Saleen showed up with his latest Mustang, with Parnelli Jones behind the wheel. After a few laps of Road Atlanta, one of the greatest racers of all time used a sharpie to autograph the hood. The Callaway Run-Flat tires were made by Bridgestone and mounted to Callaway wheels from OZ Racing. Used in the original Run-Flat commercial, this car was driven 100 miles on no air before being fitted with a fresh set.
It is pre-approved by the NCRS for Top Flight certification and this piece of history needs to be in a museum. Our friends at Chicago Motor Cars have it listed for only $55,800, and they offer in-house financing. So buy it before I do, and take it to Mecum or Barrett-Jackson for a nice profit!. Callaway is still building fast Chevrolet Cars & Trucks, and Golf accessories using the latest in composites. Click the button below to view their lineup.