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Three hundred kilometres an hour is a rarefied territory
capable of being visited by only a handful of ultra high performance cars in
Australia and usually at a purchase price of between $1,000-$2,000 per km/h.
It’s not surprising then that one of the world’s most
desirable and collectable Corvettes – a rare and very rapid twin turbo GM
Callaway – is currently drawing performance car enthusiasts to Shannons
Melbourne showroom, where similar performance is being offered at a fraction of
that price.
This stunning RPO B2K model, with its eye-watering Competition
Pearl Yellow paintwork, was No 14 of only 62 GM Callaways produced in 1991 – the
last year in which the Callaway model was listed as an official General Motors
USA option.
It was the Los Angeles Motor Show car that year and hence was
built with all the wanted options on the extensive Callaway order list,
including its distinctive and very functional Aero body.
The heart of the Callaway is its 5.7 litre (350CID) V8 engine,
which with the assistance of two intercooled Rotomaster turbochargers pumps out
a mind-moving 300Nm of power and 780Nm of torque – enough to thrust it to a
claimed top speed of around 308km/h,
Achieving this sort of output at Callaway involved a
comprehensive makeover of the Corvette’s production iron block, alloy-headed
power plant and its L-98 engine block is fitted with special four-bolt main
bearing caps, forged oversize German Mahle pistons, stainless steel inlet and
exhaust valves, uprated valve springs, a steel roller-bearing camshaft, a
specially-hardened distributor drive and dry sump engine lubrication.
Metering this prodigious power to the ground is a six-speed
manual transmission and massive 275/40 Goodyear tyres on 17x 9.5-inch Dymag
wheels, while electronically adjustable suspension takes care of ride and
handling.
Since arriving in Australia, the Callaway has been a serial
award winner at Chevrolet and open shows around the country and has spent most
of its time in between them resting in the lounge room of its owners’ house,
which was purpose built around it. It is believed to be the only example of
these highly desirable 1991 Callaways in Australia.
The car is for sale through Shannons on ‘Park & Sell ‘
listing and is currently on display at Shannons, 321 Warrigal Road, Cheltenham.
Its owner is looking at a price of around $170,000-$180,000 for someone to
become the new custodian of what is arguably Australia’s most desirable ‘Vette.
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