Callaway-Tuned 1984 Mercedes-Benz 190E Listed for Auction
A unique, turbocharged Mercedes-Benz 190E featured in Road & Track is now up for auction in Charlotte.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Car Culture
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A rare 1984 Mercedes-Benz 190E modified by Callaway has entered the auction market. The vehicle stands out as a one-off project that gained notoriety after appearing in a 1985 issue of Road & Track magazine.
Why it matters
The vehicle represents a significant piece of 1980s tuner culture, showcasing advanced engineering work from the Callaway shop. Its historical documentation and recent extensive restoration make it a highly specific collectible for automotive enthusiasts.
The vehicle features a 2.3-liter inline-four engine and currently displays 136,000 miles on the odometer. Over $100,000 was invested in a recent restoration to return the car to peak mechanical condition.
The players
Callaway
Callaway is a renowned automotive engineering firm known for its high-performance modifications and turbocharging expertise.
Road & Track
Road & Track is a long-standing automotive magazine that provides in-depth coverage of car culture, industry news, and vehicle reviews.
The details
The 190E is equipped with a five-speed manual transmission, a Garrett ball-bearing turbocharger, and a MicroSquirt standalone ECU. It is sold with a Callaway Certificate of Authenticity confirming its unique tuning heritage.
Timeline
The Mercedes-Benz 190E was manufactured in 1984.
Road & Track magazine featured the car in its November 1985 issue.
The vehicle underwent a comprehensive restoration in 2022.
Roadmap
This auction underscores the growing collector interest in 1980s-era tuner projects that bridge the gap between mass-production luxury and specialized performance engineering. As modern collectors look past factory models, firms like Callaway are seeing their legacy builds command significant premium attention.
Prospective buyers should account for the maintenance needs of a high-performance, one-off tuned engine that requires specialized parts like the MicroSquirt ECU. Interested parties must also consider that this vehicle is a collector item rather than a standard daily driver.
The takeaway
Collectors seeking unique performance history should review the included Callaway documentation to verify the car's origin. Potential bidders should assess the mechanical complexity of the custom turbo setup before committing to such a specialized restoration project.
Further reading
Learn more about the collector market at the Car Culture section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Carscoops.
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