1988 Chevrolet Corvette Callaway Sledgehammer. Photos by David Newhardt www.mecum.com

Building a car to break records is a challenge for anyone but taking on the record as the fastest street driven car in the world is a challenge of epic proportions. Reeves Callaway took on that challenge and the Callaway Sledgehammer Corvette was the result.

Callaway had become famous for their turbo systems, from single to twin turbo systems for a variety of performance cars. By 1987, Callaway cars had achieved status that few others could imagine.

GM offered a Regular Production Option (RPO) to Corvette buyers through select dealers where Corvettes ordered with the B2K RPO were sent to the Callaway factory, converted with the twin turbo kit and tested, then sent back to the dealers for final delivery to their owners. This was the only time where GM has allowed a factory orderable non-GM performance enhancement on the Corvette.

The ultimate Callaway twin turbo Corvette, known as the Sledgehammer Corvette, was built using a production Corvette chassis. The car was emissions compliant, fully street legal, with all the creature comforts like air conditioning, stereo sound system, and other items that you would get in a standard Corvette off of the showroom floor.

Callaway’s twin turbo system and other engine enhancements, along with some modified body panels, which later became available to consumers as the Callaway Aerobody, achieved the World Record title as the fastest street driven car in the world on October 26, 1988.

The Callaway Sledgehammer held the speed record of 254.76 mph until 1999. In 2013 the Sledgehammer was inducted into the Bloomington Gold Great Hall, which recognizes 50-people and 50-Corvettes that significantly influenced the Corvette Phenomenon.