With a prime velocity of almost 255 mph, the 1988 Chevrolet Corvette Callway SledgeHammer was one of many quickest vehicles you can purchase through the Reagan years. The modified Corvette was simply listed on Bring a Trailer, and the value has already climbed nicely into the six-figure vary by the point of publication.
Connecticut-based Callaway Cars was already a longtime tuner within the late Nineteen Eighties when it launched Challenge SledgeHammer, with the purpose of breaking production-car velocity information. This automotive began out as a inventory 1988 Corvette coupe, however was shipped on to Callaway for modification.
The 5.7-liter V-8 acquired twin turbochargers, a blueprinted block, solid pistons, a dry-sump oiling system, and different modifications. That boosted output to 880 hp and 772 lb-ft of torque. The automotive presently has a ZF 6-speed guide transmission, which isn’t the gearbox initially put in by Callaway.
The SledgeHammer stood out from different C4 Corvettes because of a sleeker entrance fascia incorporating vents and the Corvette emblem, purposeful front-fender and rear quarter-panel vents, and a brand new rear fascia incorporating a rear spoiler and quad exhaust. These parts had been later put into restricted manufacturing because the AeroBody for Callaway C4 buyer vehicles.
The automotive rides on 17-inch Dymag magnesium wheels with Goodyear Eagle tires. Nonetheless, these tires aren’t appropriate for excessive speeds, as Goodyear manufactured particular tires for the 1988 top-speed run, the itemizing notes.
Upon completion, the Corvette was pushed from Callaway’s store in Outdated Lyme, Connecticut, to the Transportation Analysis Heart’s 7.5-mile take a look at observe in East Liberty, Ohio, the place John Lingenfelter drove it to a 254.76-mph prime velocity. It was then saved in a museum surroundings for a lot of the subsequent three a long time, and acquired a refresh from Callaway in 2018, based on the itemizing. Now it is able to make you the preferred particular person at Radwood.