Discovering a One-Off American Supercar: The Callaway Speedster

Reeves Callaway is perhaps the most impressive American car tuner from the '80s and '90s. The impeccable design, coupled with jaw dropping performance makes his Callaway Speedster one of the most epic cars to come out of the United States in the 1990s. The Callaway Sledgehammer Corvette, the coupe version, set a top speed record at 254 MPH. American cars are certainly not our specialty, but as car enthusiasts we recognize greatness everywhere. Callaway Corvettes are without a doubt some of the most radical and exciting cars from the era, and they have the price tag to match!
In the constant pursuit of pairing the world’s best automobiles with the world’s best collectors, CURATED Miami has specialized in Vintage Blue Chip European Automobiles since 2016 - specifically low production cars built by the likes of Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and more. CURATED continues to pave the way for the next generation of collectors chasing the “poster cars” of their youth. Co-founder John Temerian, often called the Indiana Jones of car collecting, truly understands the importance of history, details, and provenance and CURATED is dedicated to educating and supporting new custodians, empowering them to preserve and celebrate these rare icons. Known for our inventory of some of the most rare examples of Ferarris and Lamborghinis ever produced, CURATED has a passionate global following, comprised of enthusiasts, experts, influencers and celebrities.

[@mathewhoffman9139]

Car number 1 was in a garage about 8 miles from where I live. It is green with a blue interior. The owner showed me his garage and let me sit in the speedster. Amazing car to see in person. Not sure if it is still there as it has been over a decade. Guy had a pretty nice collection of cars.

[@ThomasSeeds]

If it’s their, John will find it

[@WeAreCurated]

Such an iconic car!

[@superiordental]

@@ThomasSeeds Not hard to find...just hard to purchase.

[@MLV3645]

I spoke with Reeves a few times , kool guy , the Original Callaway ( Twin - Turbo ) Corvettes came with Goodyear Gatorbacks tires , I have a lot of old Callaway Sales Brochures

[@FeverDreamRemix]

I had a poster of the green car on my wall as a kid and also the black 25th anniversary countach 😊

[@discingaround]

The color they picked for this one was insane. Just a gorgeous time capsule. Thanks for sharing every inch of this beauty!

[@asc23channel]

My father had a Callaway Twin Turbo coupe, bought via Wöhr & Ciccione official dealership in Germany. I spoke to Reeves personally about the Sledgehammer and buying it, as well as Lingenfelter concerning the engine. The body was designed to reduce the original C4 body’s lift and inefficiency. ESPECIALLY the lower side panels were extremely important, as the C4 round belly (similar to first Countach) create tremendous lift. Guldstrand later even sorted out the issues around the glass (especially hatch) with his own body creation. The turbo system was nicknamed “gunslinger” because they hung so low beside the block. Etc etc… Iconic! Best wishes

[@WeAreCurated]

That's so cool! Awesome you got to speak with the man himself

[@asc23channel]

@@WeAreCurated He was a great, down to earth and very focused man! One of very few, who took OEM grade development and focus on details so seriously back then! That’s why he even received an official dealership order number from Chevrolet. Best wishes

[@loganfutbol21]

1800 miles. I can't imagine getting a car like that and not driving it every opportunity I get!

[@CrazyPanda688]

It really is pointless I’d want everyone seeing it if I owned that

[@TheRealCatof]

Because it's unreliable and if anything breaks, there's no replacement parts

[@XJag9684]

I definitely had the green version on a poster in 93 or 94. Who remembers the Mustang Mach 3? I had a black model in 1:18.. Damn good times gone by!

[@poindextertunes]

@@TheRealCatofthats definitely not why he doesn’t drive it 😂

[@JethroBodineWhooWee69]

Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today. - James Dean

[@Pereira111]

Wild that the interior upgrade costs more than the engine upgrade

[@TPD]

this guy REALLY knows his stuff

[@TommioRS]

Love it! Most C4 corvettes are totally undervalued for what you get. The Callaway Speedster is criminal how cheap it is. So are the Grand Sports and ZR-1's, they are total bargains. The engineering and tech fitting to this cars at the time was like nothing else you could have! Mark my words because of how special ALL C4 Callaway corvettes are and the Grand Sports AND the ZR-1's are they are all going to go up in value. If you look at the C4's competition at the time ALL those cars have sky rocketed and special C4's have not? These C4's are just has rare and just as special. Keep up the great work Curated!

[@tonycottone157]

I totally agree that these are undervalued. I think people dont understand its NOT just a Corvette!

[@zseelbach]

Its so wild to me that this channel is so slept on, the content is unbelievable.

[@captainsewerrat]

The quality and diversity of the cars and editing is really good. I just can't stand the dude unfortunately. I can't even really pinpoint it, but he annoys the hell out of me.

[@darksu6947]

​@@captainsewerratI feel the same way. He seems like a sleaze bag

[@jmurr357]

Ppl these days don’t care about the history. They just wanna see it doing doughnuts in a intersection while running ppl over. Or ppl straight piping a super car and arguing with police when they get pulled over for their obnoxiously loud car.

[@greggreg2263]

I can remember seeing the green Callaway in a magazine when I was young and being glued to it for hours, reading the article and thinking that this was the best car in the entire world, hands-down😁✅👻

[@S2NAZ]

I’m more of a fan of the history of the car than the body style. But I can appreciate the sharing and education that Curated brings to light with these very special, unique and rare cars from the past. Thank You John 🫵🏻♥️

[@Nick210]

Likewise

[@Johnnyvette383]

I absolutely agree with you Callaway is for sure top 5 tuner back in the 90's Callaway is in Old Lime Connecticut. I got to visit and get a tour with the tech school I went to in the early 2000's very cool indeed. Also back in the day as well John Lingenfelter was a great tuner for Corvettes and American cars. So the story goes is John Lingenfelter built that engine that was in the Sledgehammer that set the record of 254 MPH. I also own a 1990 Corvette in my picture that was sent to Lingenfelter back in 1997 and had there complete powertrain 383CI package done.

[@GNXperimental]

Nah Callaway fully built the Sledgehammer. John Lingenfelter drove it to 254 MPH.

[@Tangelos]

Love these. When I was a kid we had a white/blue 87 coupe with the nose cone, hood, and TT kit. It was an absolute riot, my grandfather would take me out to do pulls and rolling burnouts

[@WeAreCurated]

That's awesome!!

[@user-gg4bf7hh6i]

My dad was one of the truck drivers that worked for BF Goodrich and Chuck Lombardo when this car was touring. If you were around some of you might remember the bright pink BF Goodrich Semi with the speedster mural on the side of it. It’s amazing to see the car back in the spotlight. RIP

[@dennis.35th]

Thanks for another wonderful video. As a 1988 Corvette C4 35th Anniversary owner (delivered new in Fort Lauderdale by Ed Morse Chevrolet back in the days) better known as the 'triple white Corvette', I've been saying for decades that not only the Callaway's but also the entire C4 line of Corvette is severely undervalued. In particular the C4 ZR1 with its iconic high-revving LT5 32-valve engine developed by Lotus. Keep up the good work!

[@therwittig]

Such a great episode! Once again, a phenomenal story, vehicle, and work to bring this one to light. Thank you!

[@carlstanland5333]

I remember seeing Callaway ads in the DuPont Registry when it was in the back pages of Automobile Magazine.

[@russelljacob7955]

About time. Callaways are the best cars of their eras and so undervalued.

[@TheRvg03gt]

I just got back from Italy. We went to the lamborghini factory.. it was amazing. After i watched the video of you guys going i was super hyped to go. So glad we made the drive.. thanks to you guys ..

[@PitSmok]

What a car, what a history, Iconic. Another great episode 👍 thanks

[@WeAreCurated]

Thanks! They definitely deserve more recognition

[@davids8493]

Thank you John for this experience. Well done! 👍🏻 👍

[@WeAreCurated]

My pleasure!

[@lesliereissner4711]

These are just such unique cars! In 2016 I visited the Lingenfelter Collection in Brighton, Michigan, and talked at some length with Ken Lingenfelter about his Callaways. At the time he had a beautiful foam green Speedster but also a later ailver C16 Speedster, based on the C6 Corvette and available as a coupe or speedster version. The headrests of the C16 were designed to be storage for your helmet for when you took the car out on the track! Exterior design for all the Callaways since 1988, including the later C7Aerowagon and the successful C7 GT3-R race car run out of Callaway's Leingarten, Germany, shop, as well as the Sledgehammer, was by Montreal-based designer Paul Deutschman. Nice video reminder of a terrific vehicle. The Lingenfelter Collection is open to visitors during charity events and is well worth the experience.

[@TheRobSJ]

Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Back in the early to mid 1990’s, I would see this car at all the Northern California Corvette shows and events.

[@ethandarby5990]

Awesome car and such a change of pace. Great content as usual John. Still waiting for your first Pantera!

[@tjmoneybags]

Great camera work on this video. What a gorgeous car!

[@bedlambikes]

Someone in western Massachusetts (Springfield area) used to have the turquoise/greenish color one. I saw it several times in the early 90's. Haven't seen it since!

[@yaaaboiflexi7114]

I’m 90% sure this exact car was on a poster on the wall in my high school auto shop. It was mesmerizing to look at and for the longest time I didn’t know what it was. Wish I lived near Miami and could look at it in person.

[@rickthomas422]

I really wanted one of these when I was about 12. The condition of that car is amazing. It looks brand new.

[@bortsmithson]

Still got the poster of this exact car on the wall in my garage! So cool!

[@sys-administrator]

This car really deserves to be put back exactly how it left Callaways shop back in the day

[@rufnusd8730]

If I recall correctly, each of the 10 was a unique color was it not? Im 99% sure I saw this exact car at the Sacramento Drag Strip around '92. Im sure my friend still has pictures of it. Great review. Good job Curated!

[@WeAreCurated]

Can't imagine seeing it in period! Yes, I believe they were each unique color combos

[@TheRobSJ]

You definitely saw this car there. I was there too. The owners had another Callaway and were racing it that day. They had just taken delivery of the Speedster and brought it out to show it.

[@timspeedinc]

Has to be Z’s car right? His red drag Aerobody is badass

[@TheRobSJ]

@@timspeedincYep it was Zabas Rosales.

[@Cbm10]

I have been saying for roughly 3ish years these vetts will be worth BIG money in the near future. Another FANTASTIC video guys. Always a pleasure watching🤘

[@AlanFogartyIRL]

John this is amazing content, keep up the phenomenal work

[@SantiagoCamargo]

There is one of those in Colombia, it’s kinda silver, kinda blue, must be super low miles because it’s being years since has been spotted in the streets.

[@burdineestep4224]

Reeves worked at a Porsche dealership as a service advisor that I worked at as a tech in the 70's. we built a 914\6 turbo at night with massive turbo lag. R,I,P, my friend,

[@Spherz]

I remember I went to a mecum auction a while ago where there was a collection of Callaways being sold. One of these was there, as well as the Super Speedster LM. At the time I only thought they were just corvettes, but when I recently rediscovered a picture of me with them, man it hit different. Amazing machines😎

[@FunTimeStudios82]

It’s refreshing to see an American car on the channel. Keep it up 👍

[@jaikavi5464]

I came here searching for a pink Callaway Micro Machine, missing from my childhood collection. I know almost nothing about cars. This car is gorgeous. I love the colour

[@christianwaldeck8062]

I had that dream car calendar when I was a kid and remember the car! Wow!

[@Nick210]

I don’t see these going up in value much but you’ve had a good eye for figuring out the cars that will appreciate so far. Good luck

[@Mrlegodj]

WOW What a colour! that looks so sweet

[@aaronrandolph261]

thats a rare one!! thanks for sharing

[@jamieflanagan7946]

This was my Poster car in the 1990s in my Bedroom as a Teenager!

[@ryanjohnson8821]

Oh man what a time capsule that car is. I dreamt about that car as a kid. That silver interior is in amazing shape. Imagine having to have that reproduced

[@johnnyflange3705]

Damn son, a corvette on your channel?!! That car is killer, love seeing it. Thanks! Keep the stories coming.

[@LetMrAL1]

Yes that micro machine Callaway came out in 1990. I feel old lol (40)

[@SCDC-Channel]

EPIC car! Now I love my C4 even more :D

[@zephyrsspeedshop3708]

I have a 1990 Callaway aerobody car. But I wish I had a Speedster!

[@michaelclaude1760]

Do you have any more c4 Callaway tt’s?

[@Kev27RS]

Beautiful color! So good!

[@DB2A7]

Love it. SLEDGEHAMMER

[@dakotaslt232001]

I dreamed of this car when I saw it on a calender when I was a little kid. Not sure how youtube thought I would be interested in this, but it really caught my eye.

[@jayfxdx]

I remember a collection of Callaway Vettes crossing the auction block at Barrett Jackson probably 15 to 20 years ago. I think it was 6 cars and one guy bought them all, SledgeHammer was one along with a couple of speedsters.

[@spencermcelroy617]

I remember seeing the teal one at Bob Mcdorman Chevrolet's Covette car show,it was so cool.

[@truth6242]

I used to DREAM about this car when I was a kid.

[@SpeedyGeneralMotorsINC]

Love these c4 corvette there so much fun to drive

[@BobKenge]

These guys did justice to this Speedster

[@mr.cat582]

I need to feel what a ride in this feels like😩

[@fgdgrddsew2]

Callaway is just such a epic brand and wow that example is amazing, pink over silver!!! NUTS!!!!!!!!!

[@jjfink3925]

I had the two page Goodrich ad hanging on my wall like a poster,

[@bryanbusch6419]

I had a feeling one of these would find its way to curated eventually. The diesel like low end torque makes them a super unique driving experience not to mention the styling that takes all the best aspects of 90s design. The speedster is in its own league but even the standard B2Ks are so special for such a low cost of entry.

[@edmatthews9235]

I feel for all the guys that bought calloways many years ago sat on them and only put say 500 miles on one only to try and sell it and had no profit. They deserve more but are overlooked by the rare Porsche factory cars and the italian cars as we know.

[@edmatthews9235]

I saw a very special version of one of these last year. I just sent this video over to that owner. Stunning and a bit different even more rare I believe then this. It is a 700hp version manual and Silver.

[@GNXperimental]

The Corvette Callaway Sledgehammer has 890hp if it's the one you're talking about.

[@DTEL77]

I seem to remember a Callaway (not s speedster) Corvette enter the Cannonball Run sponsored by BFG. They had recently introduced run-flat technology and ran a car with holes drilled into the sidewalls to prove they had no air. They ran these tires on the transit stages, then ran regular BFGs for the track sessions for obvious safety reasons. The car made the entire event and was awesome to see such a cool tie-in and an uncommon car.

[@racerx8410712]

Another awesome video, awesome car! Love it! But my mind goes back as always to Lamborghini and I before I forget yet again I have been meaning to pitch the the purple SE 30 Diablo from Jamiroquai's "Cosmic Girl" music video. It's rumored that a delivery driver wrecked the windshield in the first car. The found another and then somehow the window got wrecked in that one so they had to shoot the video without the window (you can tell when you watch it). Maybe you've heard of those cars, there was an F40 as well, maybe not. They are my favorite group of all time, Jay is a massive car collector and it would be cool to know what ever happened to those cars!

[@sonei985]

All Callaway C4s are way undervalued and gems. I'm 20 right now, I really hope the normal TT cars stay relatively the same. Regarding this Speedster, it is wild to me that a car with the same interior as my $7,000 1990 C4 I bought when I was 16 will sell deep into 6 digits...

[@drunk3n_m0nk12]

I had the poster of the neon green one on my wall as a kid. Still have it stashed somewhere too.

[@FunTimeStudios82]

Love it 😍

[@rmp5s]

That's friggin EPIC!! That was friggin EXPENSIVE, too!! 167k in 1990 is close to 400k today!!

[@charliesinnott9840]

Quality work...

[@athansio1122]

I had the Ron Kimball poster on my bedroom wall.. along with the other notable supercars.. I also had a poster of the Lamborghini Cala. Have you seen that one in person?!

[@itsnevo8757]

I knew where Speedster number 9 was. It was green with green interior. I heard the owner sold it not that long ago though. It was a very cool car! The same guy owned a blue carbon fiber weave C12 Callaway Corvette with bright red interior and another newer Callaway Speedster in a silver blue color with black interior.

[@Mrlegodj]

Would love to see something on the sledgehammer corvette, I remember as a kid i was always amazed how fast it went compared to other exotic stuff

[@V3GAN.M3]

Damnnnnn this is epic!!

[@JasonMcCord-qk3yb]

I had a callaway, and I absolutely loved that ridiculous thing!! I always thought Chevrolet “copied” the Callaway bumper cover when it came to designing the C-5….

[@kasenfree]

I didn't know it. Awesome spec! Ideal for Miami

[@WeAreCurated]

It is!

[@mitchkelleher7972]

I've seen a lot of rare cars, but somehow had only seen a Callaway C4 coupe with the full body kit a few years ago and it has a street presence more like a 288 GTO than a typical C4. Photos do not do them justice. They look far more exotic-appropriately wide (stock C4 seemed too skinny to me until the ZR1 and later), more purposefully aggressive (as opposed to stylized aggression on modern cars), with details that make it appear more expensive (the front marker lights/indicators in particular as well as fixing that license plate outline in the front bumper), and for whatever reason, the body looked lighter, if that makes any sense. I remember when the Speedster came out and I loved the way it was done with the sweeping, wrap-around windows. The wild color combos only make them cooler.

[@ericcarabetta1161]

Man, this car is pure 90s.

[@AaronHendu]

We have all sorts of Calleway and other specialty 'Vette's show up at our local car shows. You dont see em all.year long, but the shows they are all over. Hennesey Vipers are also a common sight to see at the shows. You should see some of the wild widebody Vettes in Ontario, Canada. Got some photos of some of the craziest Vettes ever at local shows. Lingenfelter, too.

[@user-dm6dc3fv7g]

I remebre with I first saw the Calloway Vettes and admired them then and still do. Was delighted when a friend gave me his Calloway branded jacket, which I still have. In regard to the video, I note that at @2:54 the build sheet says Bridgestone RE71 tyres, but later, @ 3:57 BF Goodrich tyres are noted as Original Fitment.

[@ccwnyc5671]

Your Videographer is a champ.

[@jonienglish3231]

In Toronto seen one at dealership C4 twin turbo Callaway with 5 star magnesium wheels also c4 LM corvette racer bug headlamps

[@DEADPEDAL]

That front bumper really looks like it's from a C5. I wonder if it inspired the design of the then-future Vette.

[@CCHSMusicDepartment]

Had a poster of this on my wall when I was a kid.

[@nomienoman9232]

Such an icon

[@chadbarbaro]

had a poster of a Calloway on my wall as a kid, even though i was and still am a porsche diehard. the one it poster was wild , like turquoise with a lavender leather interior!!! was wondering when these were going to get on the radar.

[@gregoryfranks7347]

theres another bf goodrich ad with a red callaway maybe supernatural. people dont realize that callaway was one of the first to start turboing cars. people remember the c4 vette but he did vw siracco's and my fav. the gtv6 alfa's and maybe a few more. when people think about tuning the first set like dp, kremer callaway, BB ,RUF, banks zender.. these guys were doing that when turbos werent for cars lol. cheers

[@toolzshed]

Whoaaaaa 😲🔥

[@richiesworld1]

DREAMZ😍

[@charleschamberlain]

I've been building my Callaway Collection, and would like to get my hands on this one, and add it to my collection. Vipers, and Corvettes are my favorites to collect.

[@WeAreCurated]

Awesome collection!

[@atcdan133]

I still have that tire poster on my wall

[@freeradical6390]

Ive only driven 1 Corvette in my life, and luckily enough it was the Twin Turbo Callaway Convertable.

[@freeradical6390]

@WildTimeStudios Tight handling, not all that fast or quick I should say. Just went up and down the road once, didnt want to wreck it. The turbos came on smoother than I expected.

[@LoudModeOn]

Considering the exclusivity of these things and what they represent in terms of being the pinnacle of U.S automotive engineering at the time, I too am amazed they are not worth at least twice as much as they are. Stunning car.

[@GNXperimental]

Now you need to get your hands on that 1of 1 Corvette Callaway Sledgehammer. It was up for auction about 3 years ago. It got up to that $600,000 range but it didn't get to the reserve. If I was a wealthy man I would have paid up to a million for it. It's a legendary car for kids from the 80's and 90's.

[@Pannemat]

Performance Car magazine was the shit back in the day. British oriented but it had all the cool stuff and great pics. You should read them now just for fun. Clarkson had a column in it.

[@joshknutson16]

the interior thooo >>>

[@godchi1dvonsteuben770]

Look at that interior (commence Homers trademark gurgle). Just gorgeous.

[@ericbarrett1201]

C8 corvette: "Im the best i am what my fans want. Callaway C4 and ZR1 Corvettes: "How Bout NO!

[@netbeh]

It is insane to me that CuratedTV doesn't have a million subs yet

[@E.T.GARAGE]

One thing on those twin turbo Callaway's was on the front of the throttle bodies where two extra fuel injectors. I believe they were only used under wide open throttle.

[@chesspiece81]

Changing the spark plugs, intake gaskets, thermostat, water pump, or exhaust manifold gaskets would be a bitch.

[@brandonlee6158]

And u get Concourse level First place prize for understatement of my generation, it looks so awful to work on my knuckles hurt just thinking about it and typing this…..for real

[@ksteak27]

1991 purchase price is $388k in today's money! Deep pockets for a Corvette, but very cool!