1988 Callaway Sledgehammer Corvette
This Sledgehammer reached 254.76 mph at the Transportation Research Center (TRC) in Ohio and became the world’s fastest street-legal car for some time.
It was built up by Reeves Callaway in Connecticut as an example of what was possible with the new ZR1 and and turbocharging its LT5 engine.
The result was a 898 bhp coupe that still retained luxuries such as air conditioning and a radio.
Callaway achieved this power by using a NASCAR-spec block with Mahle pistons and forged connecting rods. The top end included a Brodix aluminum head which was fed by twin Turbonetics T04B turbochargers.
The suspension was addressed by Carroll Smith who lowered the entire car one inch and fitting 17-inch Dymag aluminum wheels with specially-made Goodyear tires.
On October 26, 1988 at 3:45PM John Lingenfelter drove the Sledgehammer to its record speed of 254.76 mph on the 7.5 mile oval track at the Transportation Research Center (TRC) in Ohio.
Story by Richard Michael Owen
1988 Callaway Sledgehammer Corvette Gallery
1988 Callaway Sledgehammer Corvette Gallery
In Detail
| type | One Of |
| built at | Old Lyme, Connecticut, USA |
| production | 1 |
| price $ | $ 400,000 |
| engine | Twin Turbo V8 |
| displacement | 5733 cc / 349.8 in³ |
| bore | 101.6 mm / 4.0 in |
| stroke | 88.4 mm / 3.48 in |
| compression | 7.5:1 |
| power | 669.6 kw / 898 bhp @ 6250 rpm |
| specific output | 156.64 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 565.14 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 1046.7 nm / 772 ft lbs |
| driven wheels | Front Engine / RWD |
| front tires | 275/40ZR-17 |
| rear tires | 275/40ZR-17 |
| front brakes | Vented Discs w/Vacuum Assist & ABS |
| front wheels | F 43.2 x 24.1 cm / 17.0 x 9.5 in |
| rear wheels | R 43.2 x 24.1 cm / 17.0 x 9.5 in |
| steering | Rack & Pinion w/Power Assist |
| curb weight | 1589 kg / -1.0 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2443 mm / 96.2 in |
| front track | 1514 mm / 59.6 in |
| rear track | 1534 mm / 60.4 in |
| length | 4483 mm / 176.5 in |
| width | 1803 mm / 71.0 in |
| height | 1186 mm / 46.7 in |
| transmission | 6-Speed Manual |
| final drive | 3.54:1 |
| top speed | ~409.9 kph / 254.7 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~3.9 seconds |
| 0 – 1/4 mile | ~10.6 seconds |
Auction Sales History
