First-Ever 2023 Corvette Z06 Raises $3.6 Mil for Charity at Barrett-Jackson
First production 2023 Corvette Z06 raises $3.6 million to help military veterans, thanks to Barrett-Jackson and Rick Hendrick.
During the 70th Anniversary Corvette announcement, Chevrolet announced they would auction the first production 2023 Corvette Z06 for charity. That car, with its exclusive 001 serial number, just sold for $3.6 million at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale event. NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick placed the winning bid, closing out a weekend that raised a total of $8.8 million for charity.
“It was an absolute honor to share our auction block with some of the world’s most influential artists and business leaders, including Pitbull, Bret Michaels, and Henry Ford III, to raise both funds and awareness for many worthy causes,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “Raising over 8.8 million for charity this weekend was the perfect way to honor our 50th Anniversary.” As in years past, 100% of the money goes to charity, with all fees and commissions waived.
The 2023 Corvette raised money for Operation Homefront which assists military veterans and their families. After the gavel fell, Operation Homefront Tweeted its thanks to Chevrolet for donating the vehicle. “Seeing the crowd so energized in support of our nation’s military and veteran families was inspiring” the Tweet read.
And while a Corvette wearing Accelerate Yellow Metallic paint rolled across the auction block for the event, the actual car will be built at a later date. As part of the auction package, Hendrick chooses the car’s specs, including color, options, and wheel packages. Once finished, it will be parked alongside several other “first” Corvettes including the first production C8 he bought two years ago.
Production of the 2023 Corvette Z06 starts later this year. When equipped with the Z07 performance package, the car features Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, Magnetic Ride Control, and staggered 20-inch wheels. But the heart of the car is the all-new 5.5 liter LT6 motor. This flat-plane crank engine sports dual overhead camshafts and revs to an ungodly 8,600 rpm. Producing 670 hp, it is the most powerful naturally aspirated engine ever.
In addition to the 2023 Corvette Z06, Barrett-Jackson auctioned a number of other cars for charity. Musical artist and NASCAR team owner Pitbull sold a 2022 Karma GS-6 for $500,000. A 2022 Ford Shelby GT500KR went for $700,000, benefiting the Carroll Shelby Foundation and JDRF. And two 2022 Toyota Tundras raised a combined $1.25 million for the Toyota U.S. Paralympic Fund. These charity auctions are a tradition at Barrett-Jackson, raising over $144 million for various charities since they started.
Photos: Barret-Jackson
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