| Martin entrusted the restoration of the car to a now-defunct Redondo Beach, California speed shop specializing in Alfa V6 pieces. After several long months without progress on the restoration, Martin learned that both his money and his car had vanished without a trace. Many months of anguish later, and through the help of a lawyer, private investigator, and the local authorities, he eventually regained possession of his car and most of the original Callaway parts. With that bitter saga fresh in his mind, Martin found refuge in Greg Armstrong of Historic Race Engineering, in Costa Mesa, California. Armstrong, best known for his outrageous twin turbo Lamborghini Diablo Conversions, was able to pump new life into the project, using his valuable turbo charging experience to create a very potent 325 hp motor which should offer outstanding performance in the rejuvenated car. This powerplant features a programmable Electromotive ECU, a very trick "Air Conditioned" intercooler, custom ground camshafts, big valves, ceramic coated pistons, and a host of other upgrades. The chassis has also been updated, with aggressive rolling stock, custom brake components, and a Milano Platinum limited slip transaxle with fully lightened gears. Cosmetically, this car has benefitted from a painstaking paint job and the addition of a Zender body kit to compliment the car's orginal lines. This heady combination has produced, according to Armstrong, what is possibly the "most beautiful and powerful V6 transaxle car in the world." The car, in the final stages of its mechanical restoration and performance testing, will hopefully make its public debut at this year's Concorso Italiano. To follow the restoration, click here for an step-by-step gallery of photos with detailed captions. |
