{Book Review}Cor-vette specs {a lot of good Callaway info}

[*89x2*]

A Christmas gift to myself this year was, the book "Cor-vette specs" By Mike Antonick and it covers the C4 1984-1996 models. After digesting most chapters in the book I came away with a lot of good information esp. dealing w/ the Callaway Corvettes.
This book dives into not only background for the option but the models included w/ special Callaway options and equipment and goes on to explain dealer ordering systems and how many cars were made.
A lot of good stuff indeed!!! Including a retrospective interview w/ Reeves Callaway and some others at Callaway Cars that breaks down some "myths" about the cars.
Cost is $29.95 and was well worth the price of admission.
Enjoy the reading

*89x2*

 

[SurfnSun]

where can it be ordered?

 

[*89x2*]

Surf, I got mine locally at Borders books...
Mid America Designs has it but I saved on the S&H.
Good reading indeed

 

[90Callaway]

where can it be ordered?

Ever hear of a little place called www.amazon.com?

$20.97 and if you spend another $4.03 you get free shipping ($25.00 or more). So find another book you want to go with it.

Thanks for the tip Chris.

 

[*89x2*]

Thanks for the tip Chris.

Kevin, No problem... I went w/ my daughter to the bookstore today and we sorted through about 4 or 5 Vette related books and they all seemed to have little more than pretty pic's of Callaway's. Although she likes the pictures more, most titles gave only a paragraph or two to the subject but this book was different It lends a page at a minimum per chapter to the Callaway Corvette (for related years) and almost 1/2 a chapter covers the option in between.

There was a Callaway pictured in one of the other books - A red 1990 (#02) that had a bra on it's aerobody w/ the word "CALLAWAY" across the nose in bright red letters on the black bra. ...unique indeed
(Same car from Vette mag 2/98 "Killer Callaway's issue" sans bra)

Happy reading *89x2*

 

[Ken]

EXCELLENT BOOK!!

If you are going to purchase it through Amazon or Barnes & Noble, click the links here at the CAC to get there; that way the CACC gets credit for the purchase. It may be only a small amount but every little bit helps.

 

[90Callaway]

I received mine today...

It was on b/o from Amazon. It is absolutely the best representation of the Callaway Twin Turbo cars that I've come across to date. I haven't read much yet... mostly looked at the pictures and charts. I can say that the Callaway production statistics on page 172 are incorrect for the 1990 model year. Not saying the author got them wrong... it could be BG or Callaway records that are wrong.

Thanks again Chris!

 

[*89x2*]

Re: I received mine today...

... it could be BG or Callaway records that are wrong.

Thanks again Chris!

I found that interesting as well, the difference between Bowling Green records and the Callaway records. It is the "Direct Conversions" that factor into the difference... I have heard 67 Callaway's were built in 89 however, I drove car # 69 and it was a direct conversion car (No B2K rpo) its explained some situations that would trigger a direct conversion beyond a customer simply bringing their car to Old Lyme w/ a check for 29 grand
Glad you enjoyed the book! There is little in the way of accurate text out there for our cars - Enjoy! *89x2*

 

[90Callaway]

I'm not an expert with other years but there are a couple of obvious things wrong with 1990 stats in the book. The chart breaks down production numbers based on BG records using RPO B2K and Callaway records which include non-Bowling Green B2Ks. Or those cars also called "direct conversion" cars by some. I say non-Bowling Green B2Ks based on my discussion with Reeves at Carlisle where his stated that in his opinion all Callaway Twin Turbos are B2K regardless of whether they were ordered through Bowling Green. Hey, I'm not going to argue with him... He's the man!

The obvious problem with the 1990 stats is that BG shows that 59 B2K cars were produced. Callaway records show that a total of 58 Twin Turbos were produced that year. It is impossible for there to be more B2Ks than total Twin Turbo cars. At least one of those cars that was not a Bowling Green B2K is a Convertible. That is not reflected.

 

[*89x2*]

Kevin, I have seen one and may have heard of a second (at least) that was a B2k car that never saw the light in Old Lyme.
The one I saw was touted as a car perfect for the next speedster... or something to that effect.
Now that I think of it, one WAS a 1990 red on red convertible and the other was a 91 vert (from what I remember )
FWIW, I thought it was good to hear Reeves thoughts on B2K vs non BG TT's as it laid out some history w/ all that goes into building something like this and having a supplier (GM) run short for various reasons - Good stuff indeed

 

[90Callaway]

A B2K car that has never seen the light of Old Lyme? How does that work?

 

[*89x2*]

Kevin, although I am not entirely sure, I am thinking the dealership who ordered the car, cancelled once the build started.
Car would have been "spec'd" out already but diverted...
Interesting stuff indeed

 

[90Callaway]

So you're saying the car has option code B2K on the build sheet and the console door but is not actually a Twin Turbo car? I guess I could see that happening. That would certainly explain the anomaly in the production totals.

 

[*89x2*]

Yeah.
Now here is the question... If you had the car, would you keep it as is or, call up Reeves & Co. and have them warm up the engine in the lobby
(maybe this belongs in a thread all it's own )

 

[Ken]

Do you want me to split it?

_ken

Wait a minute, you can do that yourself can't you? :duh