- Callaway developed this one-off turbocharged Mercedes 190E prototype in the 1980s.
- BBS, Bilstein, and Recaro contributed to the unique build.
- It recently underwent a claimed $100,000 restoration and is available without reserve.
Callaway is best known for turning Corvettes into monsters, but the American tuning company has worked its magic on some rather unexpected vehicles. Take this 1984 Mercedes-Benz 190E, for example. It’s a one-off prototype featuring a turbocharged engine, a handful of upgrades from some of the biggest names in aftermarket performance, and a rather handsome appearance. Better yet, it’s now going up for auction without reserve.
The car is currently listed on Bring a Trailer as part of the Tons of Gas Auto Collection in Charlotte, North Carolina. The car is significant beyond the connection between Callaway and Mercedes. Dig deeper, and it’s ultimately a collaboration that includes BBS, Bilstein, and Recaro, too. Each contributed to transforming the relatively humble 190E into something considerably more interesting.
Read: Callaway Teases Its Modifications For The C8 Corvette
Under the hood sits a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four developed as a prototype by Callaway. It sends power to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission, although the listing doesn’t specify how much horsepower or torque the engine produces. Importantly, the powertrain has undergone substantial changes since new.
During a restoration in 2022, the turbocharger was rebuilt with Garrett ball-bearing components. At the same time, the team fabbed up a custom exhaust manifold and intercooler system. The engine also received a replacement camshaft, valve springs, and a MicroSquirt standalone ECU. A SPEC performance clutch helps manage the power, and a custom exhaust system terminates in a Sebring rear muffler. That’s no simple list of modifications.
Inside, there are a few special touches as well. The Recaro seats match the Palomino interior, and the MOMO steering wheel has a boost gauge smack dab where the horn would usually be. The original Becker radio remains but is evidently inoperable. The good news is that the automatic climate control, windows, and cruise control all work. That said, there is some noticeable wear on some of the switchgear.
According to the seller, approximately $100,000 has been spent restoring the car in recent years. That work included extensive engine refurbishment, suspension repairs, interior restoration, and various cosmetic improvements.
The odometer currently shows approximately 136,000 miles (218,871 km), although the seller claims to have added only around 500 miles (805 km) during current ownership. The car also comes with service records, a Callaway Certificate of Authenticity, and a November 1985 issue of Road & Track. That’s quite a lot of automotive history considering that as of this writing, the top bid is just $13,500.