Callaway Twin Turbo: 1986 Alfa Romeo GTV6
In the 1980s, Reeves Callaway was a known quantity in the world of high-performance modifications. The Old Lyme, Connecticut-based company worked with practically any performance or sports car to enhance the factory’s performance, from the C4 Chevrolet Corvette to the Volkswagen GTI. The list of models that Callaway provided turbo kits for included the Alfa Romeo GTV6, which was already a respectable 80s hot hatch thanks to the lusty performance of the Busso V6. The car shown here is one of 35 examples modified by Callaway with a twin turbocharger kit and is listed here on eBay with a listed price of $84,900 or best offer.
When Callaway got their hands on the Alfa GTV6, the car was subjected to a rigorous series of durability tests; in other words, the Alfa was abused, mercilessly. The end result is that Callaway was pleased by how durable the drivetrain proved to be, and thus began the process of building a twin turbocharger kit for the Busso-equipped Alfa. What’s interesting about the genesis of this kit is that Callaway claimed, at the time, that Alfa was annoyed at the positive press the Maserati Biturbo was receiving from the motoring press and thus enlisted Callaway to build the GTV6 into a dominant sports car.
If this is in fact correct, it’s mildly ironic that Alfa was worried about its reputation against the reliability-challenged Biturbo, especially given that the Maserati is still seen as a bit of a lemon decades later. The Callaway kit did indeed transform the GTV6 into a serious performance car with 230 horsepower. It left the factory with 154 b.h.p., so that’s quite a shot in the arm. The car shown here sports a few other modifications, including a rare Zender body kit and 15-inch Zender wheels. The last owner treated the Alfa to a full respray, so that explains why it looks so spectacular in the gallery photos.
What a gorgeous motor – with that awesome Callaway kit sitting loud and proud in the engine bay. The seller notes that the kit included “….twin IHI RHB5 turbochargers, dual air-to-air top-mount intercoolers, and a solid-state fuel injection controller paired with the factory Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection system.” The seller notes that extensive recent maintenance has been carried out, including rebuilding the turbochargers, starter, and alternator, replacing the fuel pump and timing belt tensioner, repairing the wiring harness, and installing a custom-fabricated exhaust system, among other changes. This is a striking example of a rare 80s performance car, and while the price is up there, you’re unlikely to find another one anytime soon.
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Comments
So pretty but out of my league. When I went to Alfa training in Orlando back in the 90’s they had a Callaway engine on the stand. I needed a drool cup or a bib. I had recently sold my Milano Verde for a new body Saab 900S. What was I thinking! I still miss the Alfa and have long since kicked the Saab to the curb.
Nice car, but who is the buyer willing to cough up that kind of money for it?
Rare ride. Must be a blast to drive.