Callaway Cars started by making turbocharger upgrade kits for European brands like BMW and Porsche, but from 1984 to 1996, shifted its attention to modifying America’s favorite sports car, the Chevy Corvette, particularly the C4 variant. Customers could order a 1987 or later C4 Corvette with over 390 horsepower, 150 more than the car's stock 240 horsepower output.

In 1988, Callaway created The Sledgehammer, the world’s fastest street-legal Corvette, with 880 horsepower and 772 lb-ft of torque, nearly double an uber-expensive Lambo. The high-strung V8 engine breathed through custom 321 stainless steel exhaust tubing connected to SuperTrapp adjustable mufflers and four badass center-mounted exhaust tips.

The Sledgehammer managed a top speed of 254.76 mph — and would blow away today’s Tesla Model S Plaid’s top speed of 200 mph. Only one Sledgehammer exists, a unicorn in the performance car realm, and it held the unofficial speed record for over 20 years; it wasn't until 2007 when the SSC Ultimate Aero surpassed Callaway's record with a 255.83 mph top speed.