Features

The interior, a real Corvette weakness - one which really shows how GM can build such a high performance car for next to no money (the 170mph+ base car is still less than $50,000) - also gets a thorough going-over in the C16.

Or rather, they don't go over it, they throw away the original and install your choice of new, lovingly leather-wrapped surfaces on everything you can see, touch or sit on.

All of the interior work is done in Germany, and you'd be hard pressed to find better anywhere in the world.

Which is a similar pattern of thought to the one you have when you get behind the wheel of the Speedster. There are no loose wires or dodgy switches here. Everything is tight, wrinkle-free and positive. All the switchgear is standard Corvette apart from the satnav screen which, via a couple of rear facing cameras, doubles as the rear-view mirror.

As this, number 001, had already been sold for the full asking price of $305,000, we had to keep our mileage, and speed, down. But we didn't in the C16 Coupe Reeves loaned us earlier that day, to get a feel for the mechanical side of the car, and which felt about as subtle as a punch in the face. If the ZR1 is as good as this, I'll be surprised.

It's not unruly or difficult at normal road speeds, far from it, but hit the throttle hard and it will reel in winding canyon roads supercar fast with a speed and a surety that you don't get unless you pay the big bucks for a Ferrari or Lamborghini.

Because you can feel so well how the C16's handling, you can use more of the always-on supercharged power and get yourself into - and thankfully out of - some interesting powerslides.

The standard Corvette's predictability is still there, but there's an added layer of confidence and capability in the C16 that's flattering to the driver and, to be honest, often terrifying for their passenger. Expect to get more than one bruised rib or slapped cheek if you take a nervous passenger for a quick ride in this car.

What you'll also get as standard in the Callaway Speedster is more attention than a celebrity in rehab. If you like people calling you dude and taking your picture on their phones, fine. If you don't, well, just do what I did. Put your foot down hard and leave them guessing.

Pat Devereux