First Corvette ZR1 production example fetches $6 million at auction

02/01/2025 03:00 PM

NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick will be the owner of the first 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 to roll off the production line after paying $US3.7 million ($AU5.94 million) at an auction in the US.

Held by Barrett-Jackson auctions, the latest acquisition by the CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group, a US dealership company, means Hendrick has spent $US12.5 million ($AU20 million) on multiple first-example Corvette models since 2019, according to a report by Automotive News.

These include the C8 versions of the E-Ray, the Z06 coupe and convertible, and the Stingray.

The auction house said the entire $US3.7 million bid will be donated to the American Red Cross charity.

Of note, the vehicle shown at auction (above) is a placeholder for the event and not Hendrick's VIN 001 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 model, with overseas reports claiming the sports car’s production is due to start from March 2025.

David Harris, a spokesperson for Hendrick Automotive Group, told the Detroit Free Press they expect the coupe will finish production “later this spring or summer [US time]”, with the estimated delivery date expected between March and August.

For context, the local newspaper said Hendrick owns 20 first-built Corvette models in his collection, which includes the recently purchased ZR1.

As a reference, General Motors and Barrett-Jackson have been auctioning first-production Corvette examples since 2008, with all proceeds from the sales reportedly donated to various charities across the years.

"We made history by selling this rare collector vehicle for $3.7 million, while also helping the Red Cross to fulfil its mission to feed and provide emotional support to the victims of disasters," Craig Jackson, the CEO of Barrett-Jackson, said in a media statement.

"Between the recent hurricane on the [US] East Coast and fires in California, the money is certainly needed," he added.

According to the US marque's website, the 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is priced from $US173,300 ($AU278,000) before on-road costs for the 1LZ coupe and reaches $US194,300 ($AU312,000) for the top-spec 3LZ convertible.

The sports car is the brand's most powerful series-production model in its history due to the ZR1’s twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre petrol V8 engine.

The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 has a claimed maximum output of 782kW/1122Nm that sends power to its rear wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

For comparison, the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 – the top trim model available in Australia – is equipped with a 5.5-litre V8 engine that has a maximum output of 475kW/595Nm.

The car maker claims the 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 can reach 0 to 100km/h in 2.3 seconds with a top speed of 375km/h.

General Motors Speciality Vehicles (GMSV) previously told Drive the Corvette ZR1 isn’t on the cards for Australia, “but we will monitor demand and assess further over time”.

Locally, the Chevrolet Corvette sports car is offered in three trims: the Stingray (priced from $182,000 plus on-road costs), the E-Ray ($275,000) and the Z06 ($336,000).

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