{{Short description|American sportscar}} {{Infobox automobile | manufacturer = {{ubl | Callaway | IVM Automotive }} | name = Callaway C12 | image = 1999 Callaway C12 in Yellow, front left (Greenwich 2024).jpg | production = 1998–2001<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.callawaycars.com/homepage/the-company/callaway-cars/c12/|title=Callaway C12 | '97-01}}</ref><br>20 produced | length = {{cvt|191|in|mm|abbr=on}} | width = {{cvt|78.7|in|mm|abbr=on}} | height = {{cvt|47.1|in|mm|abbr=on}} | wheelbase = {{cvt|104.7|in|mm|abbr=on}} | engine = {{ubl |5.7 L ''LS1'' OHV V8 |6.2 L ''LS6'' OHV V8 }} | transmission = 6-speed manual | weight = {{cvt|1480-1565|kg|lb}} | related = Chevrolet Corvette (C5) | class = Sports car (S) | designer = Paul Deutschman | body_style = {{ubl|2-door coupé |2-door convertible |2-door hardtop }} }}
The '''Callaway C12''' is a sports car, designed, developed and built by American manufacturer Callaway, between 1998 and 2001.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://silodrome.com/callaway-c12-supercar/|title=The Callaway C12 – A Rare American-German Supercar Capable Of 200+ MPH|date=April 19, 2022|website=Silodrome}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/1999-callaway-c12/|title=1999 Callaway C12 | first = Jeff | last = Karr |date=June 2, 1998|website=MotorTrend}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.conceptcarz.com/s16891/callaway-c12-corvette.aspx|title=1998 Callaway C12 Corvette technical and mechanical specifications|website=conceptcarz.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.supercars.net/blog/1999-callaway-c12-corvette/|title=1999 Callaway C12 Corvette | Review|first=Nick|last=D|date=March 26, 2016}}</ref> 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.<ref name=MA24>{{cite web | url = https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1142221_ex-dale-earnhardt-jr-1999-callaway-c12-coupe-pops-up-for-sale | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240524094548/https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1142221_ex-dale-earnhardt-jr-1999-callaway-c12-coupe-pops-up-for-sale | archive-date = 2024-05-24 | work = Motor Authority | title = Ex–Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1999 Callaway C12 Coupe pops up for sale | first = Stephen | last = Edelstein | date = February 7, 2024 | publisher = MH Sub I, LLC. }}</ref>
== Specifications == The bodywork, designed by Paul Deutschman, is made of GRP and kevlar on a hydroformed steel skeleton.<ref name=MA24/> The bodywork was built by IVM Automotive of Germany. The design featured fixed headlights instead of the pop-up headlights on the C5 Corvette, as well as two taillights, taken from the Opel Tigra A, as opposed to the traditional four. The brakes are ventilated discs all around with four-piston calipers and an ABS system. The suspension is double control arms with coil springs over shock absorbers at all four corners. The interior featured complete leather-covered interiors dyed to the owner's specifications.
The C12 was either equipped with a 6.2 liter V8 engine, or a tuned version of the 5.7 liter LS1 used in the Corvette C5 with a number of modifications, many of which increased horsepower. The 5.7-liter "Supernatural" engine produces {{cvt|440|hp|kW|0}} at 6,300 rpm and {{cvt|395|lb.ft|N.m|0}} of torque at 4,400 rpm,<ref name=":0" /> with the later 6.2-liter version producing {{cvt|482|hp|kW|0}} at 6,100 rpm and {{cvt|466|lbft|N.m|0}} of torque.<ref name=MA24/><ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-11-18 |title=2002 Callaway C12 Coupe: TheRuleBreaker: Only a fool would drive a supercar every day, right? Don't tell Reeves Callaway |url=https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2115466/2002-callaway-c12-coupe-therulebreaker-only-fool-would-drive-supercar-every-day/ |access-date=2026-05-07 |website=Autoweek |language=en-US}}</ref> The larger LS6 engine was introduced after Chevrolet had introduced their more powerful Z06 derivative. Additionally, the C12 received modifications that enhanced handling capabilities. Callaway reported a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) time of 4.1 seconds and a top speed of {{Convert|194|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}} for the 5.7 liter variant.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1999-08-26 |title=Callaway's C12 Is a Super Car Built for the Highway, if Not the Raceway |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-aug-26-hw-3907-story.html |access-date=2026-05-08 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
According to Callaway, the C12's were built "to a standard rather than a cost", and the company lost money on every car.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Motavalli |first=Jim |date=2003-02-28 |title=DRIVING; To Be the Fastest Car on the Road |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/28/travel/driving-to-be-the-fastest-car-on-the-road.html |access-date=2026-05-08 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> C12s were sold to high-profile customers such as Dale Earnhardt Jr., Otis Chandler, Andrew McKelvey, Ely Callaway, Rick Hendrick and Tommy Mottola buying the car. Reportedly, 19-20 cars were produced,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Callaway Cars - Callaway C12 {{!}} '97-01 |url=https://www.callawaycars.com/homepage/the-company/callaway-c-projects/c12/ |access-date=2026-05-08 |website=Callaway Cars |language=en-US}}</ref> including two 2-door cabriolet "Speedster" models,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eckart |first=Eddy |date=2026-03-07 |title=Callaway Takes to the Radwood Fairway with This C12 Speedster |url=https://www.hagerty.com/media/automotive-history/callaway-takes-to-the-radwood-fairway-with-this-c12-speedster/ |access-date=2026-05-07 |website=Hagerty Media |language=en-US}}</ref> and one fixed-roof coupe.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Streeter |first=Mercedes |date=2023-01-09 |title=Callaway C12, Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, Yamaha RD350: Mercedes' Marketplace Madness |url=https://www.theautopian.com/callaway-c12-pontiac-firebird-trans-am-yamaha-rd350-mercedes-marketplace-madness/ |access-date=2026-05-07 |website=The Autopian |language=en-US}}</ref>
==IVM C12== thumb|Callaway C12 rear In Germany, the sports car model was built in Bad Friedrichshall by IVM Automotive<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.autointell.de/suppliers/engineering-suppliers/ivm/c12-front.htm |title=Automotive Intelligence |publisher=Autointell.de |access-date=2011-11-03}}</ref> (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 {{cvt|400|PS|kW|0}} in European specs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ciao.de/IVM_Callaway_C12__Test_1811145 |title=IVM/Callaway C12 - Autotest und Erfahrungsbericht |publisher=Ciao.de |access-date=2011-11-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928230922/http://www.ciao.de/IVM_Callaway_C12__Test_1811145 |archive-date=2011-09-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2000, IVM added a {{cvt|440|PS|kW|0}} engine to the range.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/auto/fahrberichte/0,1518,72176,00.html |title=IVM C12: Geheimnisvolle Carbon-Karosse - SPIEGEL ONLINE - Nachrichten - Auto |newspaper=Der Spiegel |date=7 April 2000 |publisher=Spiegel.de |access-date=2011-11-03}}</ref> The IVM model was built from 1998 up to 2003. The prices for the IVM C12 ranged from 350,000 up to 370,000 DM.<ref>Vereinigte Motor-Verlage GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart (Auto Katalog Jahrgänge 2000 bis 2003)</ref>
==Racing== [[File:Callaway C12-R - Cort Wagner, Bob Mazzuoccola & Vic Rice approaches Tertre Rouge at the 2001 Le Mans (54291038354).jpg|thumb|Callaway C12-R at the 2001 24 Hours of Le Mans]] From 1997 to 2001, Reeves Callaway sought to compete in the GT2 Class at the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans with a racing version of the C12, the '''C12-R'''. The race car's crowning achievement was a pole position in 2001.
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Grand tourer racing cars Category:Sports cars Category:Cars of the United States Category:Cars introduced in 1998