I didn't expect to stumble upon this: Motorweek tested the Callaway LM

Brangeta · 03-14-08, 06:25 PM

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SHORT TEST OF 1996 CALLAWAY SUPERNATURAL CORVETTE LM

It's been frequently said in automotive circles, that "racing improves" the breed." That's certainly true of high performance cars. And few production cars offer more performance than Chevrolet's Corvette. This next Corvette, however, is not a pure bred Chevrolet. But racing has definitely improved it.
One things' for sure, the Callaway SuperNatural Corvette LM is unlike any Corvette we've ever driven. Our day-glo test car is actually the first street-legal LM. It was custom-made for its owner, BF Goodrich, to use on its national promotional tour.
And like every poster dream, the LM has a gorgeous body. The LM's aero work continues on the theme first conceived by stylist Paul Deutschman for the legendary Sledgehammer, the street-legal Callaway which ran 254 mph back in 1989.
New carbon fiber panels for the hood, rockers, doors, and tail don't attempt to disguise the LM's Corvette roots. Rather, they accentuate the Chevy's muscular lines, and give some hint as to the best that lurks within.
The front end appears overly rounded, due to the oversized headlight fairings, huge power bulge, and road-sucking lower air intake. The horizontal front air dam creates downforce by splitting the airflow over and under the car. Vertical slats in the rear channel the air out cleanly, while the huge wing pushes the car into the pavement as speeds increase.
And increasing speed is what the LM does best, as we noticed around the nine turns of Savannah's Roebling Road Raceway. We also saw a remarkable decrease in our lap times ... the LM was a full 3 seconds faster than any other car we've tested at Roebling.
Providing the power for that amazing feat is a 383 cubic inch pushrod V-8. A host of Callaway parts and engine modifications combine to produce 435 horsepower, and an equally impressive 430 pound-feet of torque.
Off the line, 0 to 60 flashes by in 4.1 seconds and a single shift of the stubby gear lever. Quarter mile runs require a few more gears, but result in an awesome 12.3 seconds at 118 miles per hour.
Racing Brembo disc brakes with ABS allow the driver to dive deep into corners. While the sticky Goodrich Com T/A rubber and Penske adjustable coil-over-shocks keep the car firmly on-line.
The LM demands the driver's attention at all times, especially to the ultra-light steering ... but it rewards its pilot with telepathic track manners, and breathtaking performance. The car slingshots out of corners, and hurtles down the straights like a big orange ICMB. All accompanied by the sweetest rumble of exhaust this side of, well, a LeMans racer.
Inside, we expected more of the spartan, race-car-for-the-street theme. So we were pleasantly surprised to be surrounded not by carbon fiber and exposed wiring, but by wilton wool carpeting and hand-stitched, embroidered leather.
Such a civilized interior is almost out of place in a car capable of such unruly behavior. And fuel economy is respectable at 23 highway and 17 around town.
The price tag demands respect too, adding nearly $89,000 to the price of a Corvette Coupe, for a final tally of $126,407.
While that's hardly cheap pocket change, remember this is not a mass-market sports car. It is a delightful romp through automotive nirvana, and a prime example of how racing improves the breed.
Roebling Road may be a long way from LeMans, but behind the wheel of the Callaway SuperNatural Corvette LM ... it's as close as your finger tips.

http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/vettlm.html

It's a shame PBS doesn't air these old episodes because you know darn good and well that they had an entertaining review of this.

*89x2* · 03-14-08, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brangeta

http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/vettlm.html

It's a shame PBS doesn't air these old episodes because you know darn good and well that they had an entertaining review of this.

Does anyone have an old VHS recording