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Callaway-Turbocharged Mercedes 190E Prototype Heads to Auction at No Reserve
A one-off 1984 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3, developed with Callaway Engineering, Bilstein, Recaro and BBS, is offered at no reserve after a claimed $100,000 restoration.
By Charlotte Redford · 5 min read
A one-off 1984 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3 prototype built in collaboration with Callaway Engineering, Bilstein, Recaro and BBS is being offered for sale at no reserve. The car, a W201-generation saloon, represents an early experiment in turbocharging Mercedes-Benz's compact four-cylinder model and carries a claimed $100,000 in restoration work completed over recent years.
The project combined several specialist firms. Callaway Engineering developed a turbocharger kit for the 2.3-litre inline-four, Bilstein supplied dampers, Recaro provided seats re-trimmed to match the Palomino interior, and BBS contributed aerodynamic valances colour-matched to the Signal Red paintwork along with gold BBS RS 15-inch alloys. The result is a single example that sits between a factory car and a tuner special, and it is now part of the Tons of Gas Auto Collection in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Finished in Signal Red, the car wears BBS side skirts and a matching front valance fitted as part of the original work. European-specification headlights, H4 headlamps with LED bulbs, replacement front turn signals and a refinished trunk-lid badge are among the exterior details. The seller notes paint chips on the front grille. Paint correction was carried out in 2022, and records document replacement of the door, sunroof, antenna and trunk seals, restoration of the body trim, refurbishment of the sunroof hardware, replacement of the hood insulation and reattachment of the trunk badge in August 2026.
The suspension uses Bilstein B8 dampers and H&R springs. Service in 2022 included replacement of the sway-bar bushings, steering damper, strut mounts and associated front suspension hardware, while the rear suspension received new upper control-arm bushings. Braking is handled by four-wheel discs with rebuilt calipers, replacement rotors, brake hoses and a new brake master cylinder. The brake fluid was flushed in August 2026. Three-piece 15-inch BBS RS wheels were rebuilt and mounted with 205/55 Yokohama tyres.
Inside, Recaro front bucket seats are trimmed to match the Palomino interior. Equipment includes central locking, power windows, automatic climate control and cruise control. Restoration work in 2022 covered the dashboard, glovebox, dash vent, front seat upholstery and various trim components. The seller notes that the Becker radio is inoperative, wear is visible on portions of the centre stack and switchgear, and the headliner has been repaired. An AEM air/fuel ratio gauge is mounted inside the glovebox. The leather-wrapped MOMO steering wheel has a custom pad with an inset boost gauge, and instruments include a 125-mph speedometer, a 7,000-rpm tachometer with an inset analogue clock, and gauges for coolant temperature, oil pressure, fuel level and fuel economy. The six-digit odometer shows 136,000 miles, approximately 500 of which were added under current ownership.
The turbocharged 2.3-litre SOHC inline-four was developed as a prototype by Callaway. Restoration records document removal and refurbishment of the engine in 2022, including rebuilding the turbocharger with Garrett ball-bearing centre sections, fabrication of a custom turbo manifold and intercooler system, installation of a custom exhaust downpipe, refurbishment of the fuel system, replacement of the camshaft, valve springs, head gasket, timing cover gasket, oil pan gasket, oil filter housing gasket and ignition components, installation of a MicroSquirt standalone ECU, rebuilding of the alternator, restoration of the air-conditioning system and installation of a K&N air filter. An oil service and air-conditioning recharge were completed in August 2026.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission. Service during the restoration included installation of a SPEC performance clutch, replacement of the clutch slave cylinder and driveshaft guibo, refurbishment of the differential, rear subframe and CV axles, transmission-fluid service, and fabrication of a custom exhaust system terminating in a Sebring rear muffler. A Callaway Certificate of Authenticity accompanies the car along with restoration photographs, documentation, service records, a November 1985 issue of Road & Track magazine and a Montana title. The Carfax report is free of accidents or other reported damage.
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