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| August 20, 2007 by Luigi As
the owner of a 1991 Callaway Twin Turbo Corvette (CTTC), throughout the
year I have been participating in the 20th anniversary celebration of
Callaway Cars' continued ability to create Powerfully Engineered
Corvettes.
Being the 2nd owner of a CTTC (acquired in 2001), I have wondered
how it must have been back during the hey-day of
the C4 era when
the
Callaway Twin Turbo Corvette was all of the fuss, to have witnessed
first-hand its
introduction and the incremental
developments that followed leading up to their highly celebrated
CTTC Speedsters. Back then I was fresh out
of college,
beginning my
career, and focused on many other
things but Corvettes as they were out of my financial reach. Fast
forward 20 years, this time I am privileged to find myself in the
middle of it all, to witness
the birth of the spirit, heart, and body of new Callaway Corvette with
the
introduction of
the Callaway
C16 line of cars.
But how times have changed. In one
year, Callaway has repeated the efforts which originally took some 5
years to accomplish and put them
on the map of the Automotive world, this time wiith the C6 Corvette. In
less than 1 year, "Callaway Cars has managed to launch not 1 but 3
cars, which for a
small car company is somewhat of a feat" says Reeves Callaway standing
just a few feet from me. This stirred memories from Corvettes at
Carlisle 2006 when Reeves first shared a
rendering of his idea in order to guage the reaction of the small group
of CTTC owners. I was amazed
with the rendering as it was reminiscent of the C12 along with cues
of the CamAerobody sprinkled in.
His plan was agressive. From
rendering to initial production in just 3 short months, the goal to
debut the
Callaway C16
Coupe at the 2006 LA Auto Show; and what an event that was. With
the first of the Callaway C16's introduced to the world
class
press and status of the LA Auto Show, I was proud to be present and to
be
one of the first to get a glimpse. A complete combination of massive
power, great styling, and a variety of
options, the Callaway C16 quickly became the focus of nearly every
Automotive print and online publication.
With the first orders coming in for the C16 as well as C6 stock body supercharged Corvettes, Callaway did not stop there. Spring was the time that the Callaway C16 Cabrio was introduced at the New York Auto Show. And a few weeks later when I heard of a possible debut of a Callway C16 Speedster at the Pebble Beach Concourse D'Elegance, I quickly made plans to be there in person. And what an appropriate venue it would be for this most significant Callaway C16. The most influencial of American Automotive events was the backdrop and the C16 was the star. |
| Unlike earlier Callaway
Speedsters which have shortened glass, this version has no side or rear
windows whatsoever, and the front windshiled (and
wiper assemblies) are completely removed to provide its owner the
traditional
Speedster experience of early-era goggle wearing racers. Both Driver
and
Passenger have small wind deflectors in place and there are
ultra-light, carbon-fiber Formula1 type helmets manufactured by their
partner
Stand21, neatly tucked in the rear deck lid enclosures for "spirited
driving" opportunities. Up front, the center bulge tunnel
conceals the
supercharger while flowing smoothly and seamlessly enters into the
center of
the
dashboard, neatly accented by the stitching of the Callaway
Deutschleder
interior trim. With its sleek and elegant look,
one often overlooked item on this Speedster are mirrors. That's right,
look again. You don't see any rear or side mirrors. One of the cleverest
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In
the photo
(left-click to enlarge), long time Callaway Designer Paul Deutschman
stands next to the C16 Speedster while Callaway Managing Director Mike
Zoner raises the rear deck lid to reveal the ultra-lightweigh helments. |
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Click
on any photo to enlarge. Far Left photo: A close up of the Stand21
Helments seated in their respective compartments awaiting a spirited
driver. Left Photo: A close up of the driver's windscreen and the
continuity of the hood features over the dash. Right Photo: A view from
the side showing the windscreens and the completeness of the hood
featues as they flow into what is normally the top of the dash in the
standard corvette. Notice how the stiching of the interior leater wrap
neatly aligns with the upper hood finish. |
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features of this car are the
integrated cameras in the side gills and the rear difusser panel. The
standard GM Navigation unit is replaced with one that when a button is
pressed, up pops a 4 window partition. One partition is for each of the
side "mirror" cameras, one is for the rear-view "mirror" camera, and
the other displays a CallawayCars Logo. A very unique and pleasing way
to deal with the mirrors which will not detract from the sleek look of
the car.
Though the C16 Speedster shares its general body with the C16, the rear wheel wells are 1" wider on each side giving the car a more pronounced stance. Unlike the C16 Coupe or Cabrio, the Speedsters side openings have aluminum slats which are very reminiscent of the Aerobody gills of |
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In
the left photo
(click to enlarge) shows the rear diffuser panel. Notice the small
camera in the black panel over the center of the Double-D exhaust. Also
notice the nice aluminum fins which add a finishing touch to the
exhaust
Right
Photo (click to enlarge), notice the
small hidden camera just above the upper fin of the forward side gill
panel.
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| the CTTC Aerobody side gills. Other standard features of the C16
Speedster which are optional on the C16 Coupe and
Cabrio are the Carbon Fiber/Magnesium Spoke, Dymag Wheels, Callaway
Competition Brake Package featuring mamonth 15" rotors and 6 piston
caliper
brake system, and the track ready 10 position, independently adjustable
suspension system. Inside the car, standard features include the
Competition Seats as well as the Deutschleder finely stitched Leather
and Alcantara interior tailored to your choice of color.
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In
the far left photo
(click to enlarge) shows the Dymag Wheels and Bridgestone tires
package. The center Photo shows the Callaway Competition Brake Package.
The photo on the right shows the Deutscleder fine German Leather and
Alcantara interior. |
| Overall, Callaway Cars made a
fine statement of styling and power with the Speedster version of the
C16. Its debut was highly welcomed among a crowd of spectators at the
Concept Lawn at Pebble Beach. This car was presented to its
owner at this event and he was very proud of the resulting car which he
received. I was very fortunate to have been able to witness the
finishing touches as they went on, to be able to tag along for the
early morning photo-shoot, and the final presentation event, which
followed. There is no doubt that this will be another legendary
milestone of fine and powerfully engineered automotive history. Enjoy
the pictures. See the official Callaway Cars Press Release on the C16 Speedster here. Back to my Homepage Click on any picture to see it in full size. |
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