Callaway LM
Corvette
When people here the name Callaway, they
think of
golf clubs or Corvettes. Most enthusiasts
think of the
"SuperNatural" versions of the LT-1
from 1992-1996.
Now, there is another model for the Corvette
faithful
to admire and respect: The Callaway LM
Corvette.
The LM is short for Le Mans. Reeves Callaway
has
always had a dream of competing a Corvette of
his own
at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, France. The idea
began
with the body work for a street version, but
one thing
led to another, and a full race version was
completed as well.
The street version is almost identical to the
race version
because the hood, tail, rocker panels, and
lower door
halves, are all made of
carbon fiber, just like the race version.
The overall outline screams of
aerodynamics and
downforce at high speed. The engine is a
Callaway
"SuperNatural 383" LT-1 small block
that pumps
out 435 horsepower. 0-60 MPH is hit in 4.1
sec.
The 1/4 mile passes by in 12.5 sec at 114 MPH!
As all Callaways, it has the power to
match it's looks.
This is the Swiss owned and entered
Callaway LM of Huber and Hauser.
The race version has the same carbon fiber
body
panels, but a different powerplant.
Here, we will find an aluminum bowtie block
and
aluminum bowtie heads. The aluminum intake
manifold
has been re-worked for fuel injection. The
finished
result pumps out a conservative 475
horsepower.
The car can endure long distance races at this
power level. It is placed in the GT-2 category
with
the other normally aspirated race cars.
0-60 MPH comes up in 3.7 sec.
1/4 mile passes by in 11.6 sec at 127.5 MPH !
It will corner at 1.25g !
These photos are of the Augusta Team of
Europe.
They have entered all the GT Endurance races around the world.
They have always been strong qualifiers in the
GT-2
category, but have been plagued by mechanical
"Gremlins" during their racing competition.
In 1995, they completed the 24 Hour of Le
Mans,
but in 1996, they were unable to duplicate the
same feat.
This was the long awaited
Callaway C7.
It was completed and
entered into the Rolex 24 Hour of Daytona in
the late '90's .
Due to some rule changes for the GT-1
category, the car was instantly obsolete.
What a shame ! Carbon fiber
construction, formula car suspension, ground
effects underbelly,
andsuperior power to weight
ratio, all formed together in one package: C7
We'll never know how the
C7 would have performed against the competition
with the rule change.
But one thing is for
certain: we can always count on Reeves Callaway to
deliver the public
"mouth-watering"
Corvettes !