# Callaway C12

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The **Callaway C12** is a [sports car](/source/Sports_car), designed, developed and built by American manufacturer [Callaway](/source/Callaway_Cars), between 1998 and 2001.[2][3][4][5] It is based on the contemporary [Chevrolet Corvette (C5)](/source/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.[6]

## Specifications

The bodywork, designed by Paul Deutschman, is made of [GRP](/source/Glass-reinforced_plastic) and [kevlar](/source/Kevlar) on a [hydroformed](/source/Hydroformed) steel skeleton.[6] The bodywork was built by IVM Automotive of Germany. The design featured fixed headlights instead of the [pop-up headlights](/source/Pop-up_headlamps) on the C5 Corvette, as well as two taillights, taken from the [Opel Tigra A](/source/Opel_Tigra#Tigra_A_(1994–2000)), as opposed to the traditional four. The brakes are ventilated [discs](/source/Disc_brakes) all around with four-piston calipers and an [ABS system](/source/Anti-lock_braking_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 440 hp (328 kW) at 6,300 rpm and 395 lb.ft of torque at 4,400 rpm,[2] with the later 6.2-liter version producing 482 hp (359 kW) at 6,100 rpm and 466 lb⋅ft of torque.[6][7] 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 194 mph (312 km/h) for the 5.7 liter variant.[8]

According to Callaway, the C12's were built "to a standard rather than a cost", and the company lost money on every car.[9] C12s were sold to high-profile customers such as [Dale Earnhardt Jr.](/source/Dale_Earnhardt_Jr.), [Otis Chandler](/source/Otis_Chandler), [Andrew McKelvey](/source/Andrew_McKelvey), [Ely Callaway](/source/Ely_Callaway), [Rick Hendrick](/source/Rick_Hendrick) and [Tommy Mottola](/source/Tommy_Mottola) buying the car. Reportedly, 19-20 cars were produced,[10] including two 2-door cabriolet "Speedster" models,[11] and one fixed-roof coupe.[12]

## IVM C12

In Germany, the sports car model was built in [Bad Friedrichshall](/source/Bad_Friedrichshall) by IVM Automotive[13] (a part of the [Ingenieurbüro für Verfahrenstechnik und Maschinenbau](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ingenieurb%C3%BCro_f%C3%BCr_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.[14] In 2000, IVM added a 440 PS (324 kW) engine to the range.[15] 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](/source/Deutsche_Mark).[16]

## Racing

From 1997 to 2001, Reeves Callaway sought to compete in the GT2 Class at the famous [24 Hours of Le Mans](/source/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

1. ["Callaway C12 | '97-01"](https://www.callawaycars.com/homepage/the-company/callaway-cars/c12/)

1. ["The Callaway C12 – A Rare American-German Supercar Capable Of 200+ MPH"](https://silodrome.com/callaway-c12-supercar/). *Silodrome*. April 19, 2022.

1. Karr, Jeff (June 2, 1998). ["1999 Callaway C12"](https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/1999-callaway-c12/). *MotorTrend*

1. ["1998 Callaway C12 Corvette technical and mechanical specifications"](https://www.conceptcarz.com/s16891/callaway-c12-corvette.aspx). *conceptcarz.com*

1. D, Nick (March 26, 2016). ["1999 Callaway C12 Corvette | Review"](https://www.supercars.net/blog/1999-callaway-c12-corvette/)

1. Edelstein, Stephen (February 7, 2024). ["Ex–Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1999 Callaway C12 Coupe pops up for sale"](https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1142221_ex-dale-earnhardt-jr-1999-callaway-c12-coupe-pops-up-for-sale). *Motor Authority*. MH Sub I, LLC. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240524094548/https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1142221_ex-dale-earnhardt-jr-1999-callaway-c12-coupe-pops-up-for-sale) 2024-05-24 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["2002 Callaway C12 Coupe: TheRuleBreaker: Only a fool would drive a supercar every day, right? Don't tell Reeves Callaway"](https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2115466/2002-callaway-c12-coupe-therulebreaker-only-fool-would-drive-supercar-every-day/). *Autoweek*. 2002-11-18. Retrieved 2026-05-07.

1. ["Callaway's C12 Is a Super Car Built for the Highway, if Not the Raceway"](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-aug-26-hw-3907-story.html). *Los Angeles Times*. 1999-08-26. Retrieved 2026-05-08.

1. Motavalli, Jim (2003-02-28). ["DRIVING; To Be the Fastest Car on the Road"](https://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/28/travel/driving-to-be-the-fastest-car-on-the-road.html). *The New York Times*. [ISSN 0362-4331](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). Retrieved 2026-05-08.

1. ["Callaway Cars - Callaway C12 | '97-01"](https://www.callawaycars.com/homepage/the-company/callaway-c-projects/c12/). *Callaway Cars*. Retrieved 2026-05-08.

1. Eckart, Eddy (2026-03-07). ["Callaway Takes to the Radwood Fairway with This C12 Speedster"](https://www.hagerty.com/media/automotive-history/callaway-takes-to-the-radwood-fairway-with-this-c12-speedster/). *Hagerty Media*. Retrieved 2026-05-07.

1. Streeter, Mercedes (2023-01-09). ["Callaway C12, Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, Yamaha RD350: Mercedes' Marketplace Madness"](https://www.theautopian.com/callaway-c12-pontiac-firebird-trans-am-yamaha-rd350-mercedes-marketplace-madness/). *The Autopian*. Retrieved 2026-05-07.

1. ["Automotive Intelligence"](http://www.autointell.de/suppliers/engineering-suppliers/ivm/c12-front.htm). Autointell.de. Retrieved 2011-11-03.

1. ["IVM/Callaway C12 - Autotest und Erfahrungsbericht"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110928230922/http://www.ciao.de/IVM_Callaway_C12__Test_1811145). Ciao.de. Archived from [the original](http://www.ciao.de/IVM_Callaway_C12__Test_1811145) on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2011-11-03.

1. ["IVM C12: Geheimnisvolle Carbon-Karosse - SPIEGEL ONLINE - Nachrichten - Auto"](http://www.spiegel.de/auto/fahrberichte/0,1518,72176,00.html). *Der Spiegel*. Spiegel.de. 7 April 2000. Retrieved 2011-11-03.

1. Vereinigte Motor-Verlage GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart (Auto Katalog Jahrgänge 2000 bis 2003)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Callaway C12](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Callaway_C12) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Callaway_C12?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.