1985 Callaway Twin-Turbo GTV-6
This 1985 Callaway Twin-Turbo GTV-6 is believed to be prototype #4, and the car tested by Car & Driver, but not the car they used for the photo shoot. We've had the GTV-6 since fall of 2011. It has 107k on it, 10k of those on our watch. The Callaway is 99% stock GTV-6 by weight, so everything known (good & bad) applies. Except, of course the loud pedal effect. The engine is delightfully drivable, as the torque from the stock setup is there at low revs and it fires up and runs smooth as a GTV-6 should. Callaway had done minimal mods to the Bosch FI - which is why the kit passed EPA tests with flying colors. There is a boost-driven mini-fuler that dumps in the go-juice when she opens up, but that is not encountered in the standard testing.
Not being a competition driver, I can't really attest to how it performs relative to other cars, but I can say it is the most potent vehicle I have owned. The 2nd owner swapped in a Milano transaxle and the gearing is set up for performance. I hope to change that eventually, because at 65mph boost is only a feather-touch away, and I'd like to drop the rpm down a tad at cruise. Off the line quickly it is a bit tricky because of the lack of LSD - a wheel will light up and the rear suspension will hammer. But once rolling, choose the right gear and she scoots forward with authority. The manual states the turbo should not be on boost for over 60 seconds. I can't for the life of me remember when I've had it engaged for more than 10, as that will take you well beyond my speed tolerance. Perhaps on a track with long straights?
When GM bought one and put it through its paces at their test track, the were impressed at its durability, drivability and performance compared to their emission-saddled Corvette. With a $$$$ contract from Chevy, Callaway's attentions to Alfa were history.
This particular vehicle is the 4th of the 5 prototypes, and was used by AR as a publicity vehicle for several years - I get the benefit of their attention to the maintenance. The 2nd and 3rd owners did likewise, which is why it has held up so well mechanically and visually.
Loaded in Meriden, CT.
At home with little brother Alfetta
Fellow Callaway owner Les Neidell drove his Twin Turbo from Oklahoma to the Hemmings Show in Saratoga Springs in late summer 2011. The Hemmings crew was so smitten with the GTV-6 monster that they ran a story on the Callaway edition in the January 2012 issue: Pressure Vessel | Hemmings Motor News
A copy of the official Alfa Romeo brochure is available HERE.
1986 CALLAWAY ALFA ROMEO GTV6 2.5 TWIN TURBO specs and performance in automobile-catalog.com