FYI: An individual called upon Reddit’s collective automotive knowledge after encountering an elusive vehicle on the streets of the US, quickly discovering it was a rare Callaway C12.
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A Curious Encounter with a Mystery Car
A man found himself in a bit of a conundrum after spotting an unfamiliar but striking vehicle while driving in the United States. Not knowing the make or model of the sleek silver sports car, he turned to Reddit’s “What is this car?” subreddit for assistance.
The user shared a couple of somewhat blurry images showing the car parked at a red light on a U.S. street, capturing the interest of several car enthusiasts who were quick to solve the mystery.
Identifying the Rare Callaway C12
It wasn’t long before the online community identified the vehicle as a Callaway C12. This car, known for its rarity and performance, can be a head-scratcher even for seasoned car aficionados. The original poster humorously admitted, “I call myself a car guy but then see something like this and I’m clueless,” after being informed of the car’s identity by commenters.
Produced by Callaway Cars between 1998 and 2001, the C12 was developed from the Chevrolet Corvette C5 with the aim to compete in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans race. However, this was no ordinary Corvette; the C12 featured an extensively reworked body made from a custom carbon Kevlar, setting it apart in both appearance and performance.
A Peek Under the Hood
The Callaway C12 has dimensions that adhere to Le Mans regulations, making it impressively wide with a two-meter span. Engineers ensured that this sportscar delivered on performance, revamping its suspension system with Callaway adjustable coilovers and stainless-steel upper and lower suspension arms. Additionally, the brakes were significantly enhanced to match its upgraded capabilities.
Powering this beast is a Callaway-tuned 5.7-liter, all-aluminum V8 engine, belting out 440 horsepower at its 6300rpm peak. When it comes to acceleration, the C12 achieved a sprint from 0 to 60 mph (0-96.5 km/h) in just 4.2 seconds—quicker than the base Corvette’s 4.8 seconds. Its top speed is no less impressive, maxing out around 192mph (308km/h), compared to the Corvette’s top speed of 174mph (280km/h).
A Rare Sight
Given that only 20 street-legal Callaway C12s were ever produced, spotting one “in the wild” is a rare experience indeed. The original poster’s bafflement is thus entirely understandable, highlighting just how unique an encounter this was with a piece of automotive history.
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William Rapp, Editor of Automotive.fyi
