1-of-1 2026 Corvette ZR1X raises $2.6 million for America’s heroes

-26AZ-3008-T2T-ZR1X-0166
A 1-of-1 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X which sold for $2.6 million at the 2026 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, with 100 percent of the hammer price benefitting the Tunnel to Towers foundation.
-26AZ-3008-T2T-ZR1X-0166
A 1-of-1 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X which sold for $2.6 million at the 2026 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, with 100 percent of the hammer price benefitting the Tunnel to Towers foundation.

On Saturday, January 24, a bespoke 1-of-1 Stars & Steel-inspired Corvette ZR1X – based on the fastest car from an American manufacturer to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife – sold at the Barrett-Jackson 2026 Scottsdale Auction for $2.6 million.

100 percent of the hammer price of this Corvette ZR1X benefits the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Tunnel to Towers was selected as the recipient to recognize their mission to provide mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children, building custom smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders, and providing housing and services for homeless veterans. This mission mirrors the American pride Chevrolet celebrates with the Stars & Steel collection in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States.

“To honor those who serve, Chevrolet created a 1-of-1 edition of America’s quickest production car, the Corvette ZR1X,” said Scott Bell, vice president, 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 winner, Rick Hendrick, chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group and owner of Hendrick Motorsports, will receive the 1-of-1 Stars & Steel-inspired Corvette ZR1X hand-painted by experts at General Motors’ Design Fabrication shop in a custom Dark Satin Steel finish, with blue features across the car including brake calipers, Santorini Blue interior and blue accents on the Carbon Aero rear wing. They will also receive the opportunity to build the twin-turbo V8 engine that powers their ZR1X’s rear wheels, the first-ever Corvette delivery at the GM Design Dome, and curated memorabilia.

Corvette ZR1X charity auction

A 1-of-1 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X which sold for $2.6 million at the 2026 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, with 100 percent of the hammer price benefitting the Tunnel to Towers foundation.

Turning Performance into Purpose for America’s Veterans

GM and Chevrolet maintain a long-standing relationship with Tunnel to Towers, and have collaborated to raise more than $11.6 million in support of wounded veterans for 12 years prior to today’s auction.

“General Motors and Chevrolet have proudly stood with Tunnel to Towers in honoring those who serve and sacrifice for our nation,” said Tunnel to Towers foundation Chairman and CEO Frank Siller. “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 their lives with the dignity and independence they deserve. My brother Stephen ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel on September 11th to give his life for others – and today, through the generosity of Chevrolet, Barrett-Jackson, and this winning bidder, we carry forward that spirit of selfless service. On behalf of the Gold Star families, first responder families, and veterans we serve, we are deeply grateful.”

For more than 15 years, Chevrolet has worked with Barrett-Jackson’s charity auction program to generate millions in donations for great causes. This auction brings the total amount of money Chevrolet has raised at Barrett-Jackson charity auctions through the sale of eighth-generation Corvettes to $15.5 million.

“The Chevrolet Corvette has proudly represented American performance and engineering for over 70 years,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “I have some beautiful Corvettes in my collection and recognize that this 1-of-1 Stars & Steel-inspired Corvette ZR1X is a very special opportunity to not only own a rare collectible, but help raise more money and awareness to benefit our first responders and veterans. The winning bidder has purchased a truly amazing car that is sure to be a very special piece of automotive history.”

Corvette ZR1X charity auction

A 1-of-1 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X which sold for $2.6 million at the 2026 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, with 100 percent of the hammer price benefitting the Tunnel to Towers foundation.

Return of Build Your Own Engine Experience

This offering also marks the return of the popular Build Your Own Engine program, last seen on Corvette in 2019. With the reinstatement of this program, Chevrolet becomes the only automotive brand to offer customers a factory-guided engine build experience.

Beginning this spring, customers ordering a new Corvette Z06, ZR1 or ZR1X have the option to add the Build Your Own Experience to their order. This exclusive experience allows them to work alongside master builders at the Performance Build Center at Bowling Green Assembly to assemble and sign the V8 that will power their Corvette1.

1. Assembled with US and globally sourced parts

If you enjoyed this article, be sure to follow us on Microsoft Start.

Jarrod

Jarrod Partridge is the founder of Motoring Chronicle and an FIA accredited journalist with over 30 years of experience following motorsport and the global automotive industry. A member of the AIPS International Sports Press Association, Jarrod has covered Formula 1 races and automotive events at venues around the world, bringing first-hand insight to every race report, car review, and industry analysis he writes. His work spans the full breadth of motoring — from the latest EV launches and road car reviews to the cutting edge of motorsport competition.

Leave a Comment

More in News

Mechanic changing brake pads

How to Free a Frozen Handbrake (and What a New Cable Costs)

A frozen handbrake usually releases with gentle movement: warm the ...
Winter Tires Replacement

What Winter Tyres Actually Do for UK Drivers (and Whether You Need Them)

Winter tyres are not a legal requirement in the UK, ...
Driver targeted by a camera for using mobile phone while driving

Every Driver Faces £500 Seatbelt Fines as AI Cameras Flag 19,145 Possible Offences

A two-week West Midlands trial of AI cameras flagged 19,145 ...
kapa65-car-headlights-235729_1280

How to Remove Moisture From Inside Your Headlight Before It Costs You £500

A light haze inside a headlight that clears once the ...

Trending on Motoring Chronicle

All-new 2027 Volkswagen Atlas

VW Emergency Assist Plus Can Now Steer an Unresponsive Driver to the Shoulder

Volkswagen's Emergency Assist Plus can now steer an unresponsive driver's ...
Minor accident on suburban Roadside. Two drivers in background exchanging information. Another person in foreground with phone and printed page, assessing his insurance costs

Drivers With 6 Penalty Points Pay 58 Percent More for Car Insurance, Confused.com Finds

A driver with 6 penalty points was quoted car insurance ...
ZF LIFETEC rearranges driver airbag on the steering wheel and creates design freedom

How to Check if Your Car Still Has a Deadly Takata Airbag

Roughly 4.8 million vehicles on US roads today still carry ...
Depositphotos_197937894_L

Why Your Car Pulls to One Side (And When It’s a Safety Issue)

A car pulling to one side is most commonly caused ...
Depositphotos_165523768_L

How to Check All Your Car’s Fluids in Under 10 Minutes

Checking all of your car's key fluids takes less than ...