This Sledgehammer reached 254.76 mph at the
Transportation Research Center (TRC) in Ohio and became the world’s fastest
street-legal car for some time.
It was built up by Reeves Callaway in Connecticut as
an example of what was possible with the new ZR1 and and turbocharging its LT5
engine. The result was a 898 bhp coupe that still retained luxuries such as air
conditioning and a radio.
Callaway achieved this power by using a NASCAR-spec
block with Mahle pistons and forged connecting rods. The top end included a
Brodix aluminum head which was fed by twin Turbonetics T04B turbochargers. The
suspension was addressed by Carroll Smith who lowered the entire car one inch
and fitting 17-inch Dymag aluminum wheels with specially-made Goodyear tires.
On October 26, 1988 at 3:45PM John Lingenfelter
drove the Sledgehammer to its record speed of 254.76 mph on the 7.5 mile oval
track at the Transportation Research Center (TRC) in Ohio.
