Driving home a new Corvette in 1987 provided operators 240 horsepower in bone-stock form, and for the period, this was quite a respectable number and plenty of strength for most buyers. However, for those with even deeper pockets who wanted more was the Callaway, a huge step up in both performance and cost. The package added nearly $20k to the Corvette’s sticker price, but the rewards were enough to justify the extra cash for customers who could afford it. This 1987 Callaway Corvette here on Craigslist appears to be well-preserved, and it’s only got 42,000 miles on the odometer. Priced at $33,000, this one is located in Rising Sun, Maryland, and we’d like to thank reader Rocco B. for his noteworthy tip here!
Unlike many of its predecessors, the 1987 Corvette had just one engine possibility, a 350 V8 of the L98 variety. Among other things, choosing the Callaway added a twin-turbo on top, helping raise that number to 345, and it produced a staggering 465 lb-ft of torque. The seller says his C4 drives very well and runs absolutely amazing, describing the performance as very fast and addictive to get behind the wheel of. The Callaway was available with both automatic and manual transmissions, and thankfully, this one features the latter, with the owner confirming that the clutch and shifter operate properly.
In addition to the high level of performance this Corvette offers, it doesn’t disappoint in the looks department either, with the exterior and interior each rated 9 out of 10 by the seller. No obvious body flaws are evident, and the red paint appears about as glossy as it was back in ’97. Those hood indentions let passersby know that something special is going on in the bay here, and Callaway rounded out the package by adding special wheels bearing the name. The black canvas top seems to be in decent condition as well.
Much of the interior features standard Corvette components, such as the digital dash, but it also includes a special turbo boost gauge. The leather seats appear to remain in excellent shape, with the overall condition inside looking just as I’d expect from a well-cared-for, low-mileage, nearly 40-year-old automobile. I’m curious what our readers have to say about this 1987 Chevrolet Callaway Corvette, and whether anyone here has ever owned or driven one. Is the $33k asking price a reasonable amount to consider spending here?
That’s one beautiful car.
Wow. That’s about the best C4 I’ve ever seen.
And with that kind of power, it’s what a C4 should have always been.
I was about to say that $33k for a C4 was a bit steep, until I saw the “Calloway”. Yes indeedy, the Corvette had awoken from its long performance slumber with this machine. I hope the purchaser will drive and enjoy this car, and not just have it sit like a museum piece.
Callaway in 1988 built another twin turbo called the Sledgehammer with 880 horsepower with him driving set the record of 254 MPH for a production car that stood for 20 years.
Close. Was driven by John Lingenfelter.
If someone wants to buy into the idea of “limited edition collector models” the ones to consider are those that increase power and performance rather than just adding graphics and trim. As time progresses cars like this, in good condition, should separate themselves from the more pedestrian releases.
Steve R
You said a mouthful. I don’t know how many “classics” I’ve seen, especially from the 70s, that were nothing but trim and decal packages. Yet the sellers almost always ask waaaaaay too much.
So you’re telling me racing stripes don’t take off two tenths? :)
One just sold for $22,250 on Bring a Trailer in the same mileage region back in December so I would say the price is optimistic. But this is one very cool C4. I personally like these Callaways more than the ZR-1.
I’ve personally never been a fan of Corvettes, much less red Corvette convertibles. But I will say that if you
forced me to drive one, this would be in the top ten!
I’m amazed it doesn’t produce more hp (345), the LT1 350 in the early 70’s was higher, with no turbos, I think the L98 block was choked???
The TPI was more of a mid range and low end power setup. The plenum and intake runners were a limiting factor with them. You’d pretty much have to go with an entire new intake system if your goal was huge horsepower numbers.
I had a 1987 Firebird Formula 350 with the L98 and it had the best torque curve in daily driving of any car I ever had until i got my W212 E63 AMG with the M157 decades later. I cannot imagine what it’d be like with those twin turbos bolted on there.
A lot of companies were making performance plenums and runners back in the 1980s and 1990s.I am not sure about now. Undoubtedly, the small block has been superseded by the LS motors.
Being a C4 fan, I love this! However the “arrest me red” color would not have been my choice. The right car, the right options, the right modifier. What’s not to like? I know, the price. I want it, but no room in the stable for this one. Starting my day off frustrated is not how I wanted to start out!
You can easily get 350 horsepower out of the normally aspirated 87 C4 with a throttle body upgrade porting the intake manifold and a cam change from another Corvette year. But you won’t get torque in the 450 lb ft range. Pre – 1988 C4s have nasty snap oversteer that is made worse with modern sticky tires. You can greatly improve it by retro fitting innner strut brackets from a 1988 or later which reduced the camber change and lower the roll center.
I’m sure with the intake restrictions that these are “small” turbos. Which make for “0” throttle lag/quick throttle response.