ONE-OF-ONE CORVETTE ZR1X SELLS FOR MORE THAN R40 MILLION, TURNING RECORD-BREAKING PERFORMANCE INTO A PURPOSE

An awesome one-of-one Corvette ZR1X has sold for a stonking $2.6 million (R40 million and some change) at the 2026 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, with 100 % of the hammer price going directly to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. The result turns one of America’s most extreme performance cars into a symbol of support for veterans, first responders and their families. The car in question is a bespoke, 1-of-1 Stars & Steel-inspired 2026 Corvette ZR1X, based on the fastest car from an American manufacturer to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Sold on Saturday, 24 January, the one-off ZR1X drew intense attention before ultimately becoming one of the standout moments of the Scottsdale auction.

Tunnel to Towers was selected as the beneficiary in recognition of its long-standing mission to provide mortgage-free homes to Gold Star families and the families of fallen first responders with young children. The foundation also builds custom smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders and delivers critical housing and support services for homeless veterans. The partnership aligns with Chevrolet’s Stars & Steel collection, created in honour of the 250th anniversary of the United States.

“To honour those who serve, Chevrolet created a one-of-one edition of America’s quickest production car, the Corvette ZR1X,” says Scott Bell, Vice President of Global Chevrolet. “We’re proud to know the winning bid will go directly to supporting first responders and veterans in need across the United States through the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.”

The winning bidder was Rick Hendrick, Chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group and owner of Hendrick Motorsports. Along with ownership of the one-off Corvette, Hendrick receives an experience befitting the car’s rarity. His ZR1X is finished in a hand-painted Dark Satin Steel exterior, completed by specialists at General Motors’ Design Fabrication shop, and features blue highlights throughout, including blue brake calipers, a Santorini Blue interior and blue accents on the carbon aero rear wing.

Beyond the car itself, the package includes the opportunity to personally build the twin-turbo V8 engine that powers the ZR1X’s rear wheels, a first-ever Corvette delivery at the GM Design Dome, and a curated selection of exclusive memorabilia. General Motors and Chevrolet have worked alongside Tunnel to Towers for more than a decade, raising over $11.6 million in support of wounded veterans before this auction. The $2.6 million raised at Scottsdale adds another major milestone to that legacy.

“General Motors and Chevrolet have proudly stood with Tunnel to Towers in honouring those who serve and sacrifice for our nation,” says Frank Siller, Chairman and CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. “This incredible gift will help us continue delivering on our promise to never forget the families of our fallen heroes and to ensure our catastrophically injured veterans can live with dignity and independence. Through the generosity of Chevrolet, Barrett-Jackson and the winning bidder, we carry forward the spirit of selfless service that defines our mission.”

Chevrolet’s relationship with Barrett-Jackson’s charity auction programme now spans more than 15 years, generating millions of dollars for charitable causes. With this sale, Chevrolet has raised a total of $15.5 million through Barrett-Jackson charity auctions involving eighth-generation Corvettes alone.

“The Chevrolet Corvette has represented American performance and engineering for more than 70 years,” says Craig Jackson, Chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “This one-of-one Stars & Steel-inspired Corvette ZR1X is not only a rare collectable, but a chance to raise awareness and support for first responders and veterans. The winning bidder has secured a truly special piece of automotive history.”

Take a look at the YouTube video from a bunch of chaps that attended this auction and were as blown away as the world's media at the amazing money brought in to aid in charity: GM Broke Barrett Jackson with a 1-of-1 Corvette You’ll Never See Again | Brink of Speed/Corvette-World/CGarnerSpeed252

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