1-of-1 2026 Corvette ZR1X Raises $2.6 Million for America’s Heroes at Barrett-Jackson
Corvette history was made on January 24, 2026.
A one-of-one 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X — finished in a bespoke Stars & Steel-inspired specification — sold for an incredible $2.6 million at the Barrett-Jackson 2026 Scottsdale Auction. Even more powerful than the performance numbers? 100% of the hammer price benefits the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
This wasn’t just an auction. It was American performance turning into purpose.
The Fastest American to Ever Lap the Nürburgring
The 2026 Corvette ZR1X is based on the fastest car from an American manufacturer to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife. For this special build, Chevrolet elevated it even further.
The winning bidder, Rick Hendrick — Chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group and owner of Hendrick Motorsports — took home:
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A 1-of-1 Stars & Steel-inspired Corvette ZR1X
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Hand-painted at GM’s Design Fabrication shop
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Custom Dark Satin Steel exterior finish
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Blue brake calipers
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Santorini Blue interior
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Blue accents on the Carbon Aero rear wing
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The opportunity to build the twin-turbo V8 engine powering the rear wheels
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The first-ever Corvette delivery at the GM Design Dome
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Curated memorabilia
This wasn’t just another ZR1X. It was a rolling piece of Corvette and American history.
Turning Performance into Purpose
The entire $2.6 million sale benefits the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, an organization dedicated to:
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Providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children
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Building custom smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders
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Delivering housing and services to homeless veterans
Chevrolet selected Tunnel to Towers as the beneficiary to honor the foundation’s mission — one that aligns with the Stars & Steel collection celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Chevrolet and GM have supported Tunnel to Towers for more than 12 years, raising over $11.6 million prior to this auction. With this sale, Chevrolet’s total charity funds raised through Barrett-Jackson Corvette auctions now stands at $15.5 million for eighth-generation models alone.
This is Corvette culture at its best — performance, patriotism, and purpose.
The Return of “Build Your Own Engine”
For enthusiasts, there’s another exciting announcement: the return of the Build Your Own Engine experience.
Last seen on Corvette in 2019, the program is officially back.
Beginning this spring, customers ordering a new Corvette Z06, ZR1, or ZR1X can add the Build Your Own Engine experience to their order. This exclusive opportunity allows owners to travel to the Performance Build Center at Bowling Green Assembly and work alongside master builders to assemble and sign the V8 engine that will power their Corvette.
Chevrolet now stands alone as the only automotive brand offering a factory-guided engine build experience of this kind.
For Corvette purists, that’s something special.
Corvette Legacy: 70+ Years of American Performance
For over seven decades, Corvette has represented American engineering, performance, and passion. The 2026 ZR1X charity auction is a reminder that this car isn’t just about speed — it’s about legacy.
From the Nürburgring to Scottsdale, from the track to supporting veterans and first responders, the Corvette name continues to stand for something bigger.
And that’s something every Corvette owner can be proud of.
Show Your Corvette Pride
Inspired by the Stars & Steel ZR1X? You can celebrate Corvette performance and American heritage with:
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Performance-inspired drinkware and collectibles
Whether you drive a C1 or a C8, you can bring that same pride home.
Shop the #1 Corvette retailer — CorvetteStoreOnline.com.
Source
Chevrolet Newsroom – “1-of-1 2026 Corvette ZR1X raises $2.6 million for America’s heroes at Barrett-Jackson 2026 Scottsdale Auction” (January 24, 2026)