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?
Me. 100% Me.
Rare ride. Must be a blast to drive.
I am one of the few who loved the GT/GTV6. But, generally, these cars were ridden hard and put away wet. The Callaway mods may add *some* value to this one, but not $60k worth. Just my opinion
bt
Buying the Name
Technically not a barn find but so cool. Did I read right and the starter was rebuilt not replaced? Doesn’t bode well for future owners if repairs become necessary. I learned more about Alpha’s than I ever knew because of Barn Finds. Great job.
I meant to add before the editor kicked me out. I like how the tach is dead center above the steering wheel.
Yes perfect placement. Ive seen this in Toyotas.
Alfa.
Why?? If you still have access to an automotive electrical shop that rebuilds starters, alternators, and wiper motors, I’d rather have a rebuilt one any day. Depending on the source, new ones can be of wildly varying quality, and even if you overpay for the genuine Bosch-branded article, it’s very often 1) Not built in the original factory to original standards, 2) Not actually new but just factory-rebuilt, or 3) Both. There’s nothing worse than taking your car apart to install an AutoZone (etc.) starter, just to have to tear everything apart again 2 wk later when it fails.
Yup, the “lifetime warranty” on those parts-chain starters/alternators/etc. just means you’re buying into a lifetime supply of replacement units just as crappy as the last one.
Give me a rebuilt factory-original starter every time, where the “rebuild” typically entails just cleaning it up, replacing the brushes and bearings, buffing carbon deposits off the solenoid contact bar, greasing some moving parts, maybe replacing a worn pinion gear, good as new. There really isn’t anything else in there to wear/burn out.
I drove a GTV6 for a few years in my early 20s. I sold it because I didn’t think it looked sporty enough. I look back now and realize I must have been crazy to think that. It handled great and was a joy to drive. This is next level.
Way back when, about 1984/5 they came out with an Alpha GTV 6 which was a 2,5 Litre engine but in South Africa they were being swallowed up by the BMW’s so they put a 3 Litre V6 in it and they wiped the boards for the next 2 years before their competitors had the rules changed to smaller engines. As a dealer I had one on consignment and the owner took me for a ride in it and believe me, it went like s**t off a shovel!,
As a follow up on the above story, I watched a live auction in Johannesburg, South Africa, this morning where one of the Alfa V6 engined 3 litre cars in absolutely pristine condition fetched only $41k.
A very nice ride bit not worth 10X what a very nice Ford SHO brings!
Somehow I doubt an SHO handles like this. Or goes like this example-
Located in: Miami, Florida
I love an Italian sports car but is this model an 80k plus car? When you say twin turbo l’m thinking 300bhp in or more minimum. Just my opinion.
If you are going to go for a modified Alpha, the GOAT is Giocattolo. Less than 20 built, most had a mid mount V8 and 160mph, not a problem.
Absurd price. Maybe worth half that.
I’m surprised the author doesn’t mention how this car indirectly made Callaway famous. As the story goes, since this car was made available through Alfa’s US dealer network, GM saw it is a Corvette competitor and acquired one for their usual competitive benchmarking purposes; they were ultimately so compelled by Callaway’s work that they approached him to develop a similar retrofit for their C4 Corvette, also to be made available through the OEM dealer network. That’s the story (as I understand it) of how Reeves Callaway went from selling aftermarket turbo kits for VWs and BMWs, to collaborating with OEMs to offer the modified car through their official dealer networks.
This listing ended on Fri, Nov 8 at 1:43 PM. The seller has relisted this item or one like this.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/296804179600