By Jeff Glucker
Whenever a “first-ever” version of a Corvette comes up, you can be almost certain that Rick Hendrick is going to buy it. This has once again been proven true as the first 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 just crossed the auction block at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale and Hendrick was there to snatch it up. And he did so by shelling out $3.6 million! That number seems less insane when you realize it’s a charity auction and all of the proceeds will go to Operation Homefront.
The first 2023 Z06 also happens to be a 70th Anniversary edition. So it’s got more going for it than simply housing the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 ever stuffed into a production car. And the sale of this specific Z06 breaks another record, as it surpassed the sale amount of a vehicle donated by a manufacturer for a Barrett-Jackson charity auction. The last highest amount? That would be for a first-ever 2020 Corvette Stingray, which netted $600,000. So $3.6 million is a healthy jump.
Though I will say, I don’t think Chevy’s own marketing material is accurate on this. As the first 2020 Mustang GT500 went for $1.1 million. Still, $3.6 million is certainly a high-water mark now for this auction situation.
Kamil Kaluski