The Callaway C12 is a sports car, designed, developed and built by American manufacturer Callaway, between 1998 and 2001.[4][5][6][7] It is based on the contemporary Chevrolet Corvette (C5), although unlike earlier Callaway efforts the bodywork was entirely different. The C12 retained the Corvette's glass and roof, door handles, and interior hardpoints.[8]
The bodywork, designed by Paul Deutschman, is of GRP and kevlar on a hydroformed steel skeleton.[8] The bodywork was built by German IVM Automotive. The brakes are ventilated discs all around, with an ABS system. The suspension is double control arms with coil springs over shock absorbers at all four corners.
In total, 20 cars were produced with exposed headlights, two taillights as opposed to the traditional four, and complete leather-covered interiors dyed to the owner's specifications. The C12 was either equipped with a 6.2 liter V8 motor, or a tuned version of the 5.7 liter LS1 used in the Corvette C5 with multiple under-hood modifications, many of which increased horsepower. The 5.7-liter "Supernatural" engine produces 440 hp (328 kW) and 395 lb⋅ft (536 N⋅m) of torque, with the later 6.2-liter version producing 482 hp (359 kW).[8] The larger LS6 engine was introduced after Chevrolet had introduced their more powerful Z06 derivative. Additionally, the C12 received modifications that enhanced handling capabilities. According to Callaway, the C12's were built "to a standard rather than a cost" with high-profile customers such as Dale Earnhardt Jr., Otis Chandler, Andrew McKelvey, Ely Callaway, Rick Hendrick and Tommy Mottola buying the car.
In Germany, the sports car model was built in Bad Friedrichshall by IVM Automotive[9] (a part of the Ingenieurbüro für Verfahrenstechnik und Maschinenbau) as the IVM C12. The German version was available as a Coupé, Hardtop, or Cabriolet. It was offered as a small range model with the 5.7-litre V8, but tuned to 400 PS (294 kW) in European specs.[10] In 2000, IVM added a 440 PS (324 kW) engine to the range.[11] The IVM model was built from 1998 up to 2003. The prices for the IVM C12 has amounted from 350,000 up to 370,000 DM.[12]
From 1997 to 2001, Reeves Callaway sought to compete in the GT2 Class at the famous Le Mans race with a version of the C12. The race car's crowning achievement was a pole position in the 2001 race.
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