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EST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The first retail production 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 convertible raised $1 million for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund at the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction on April 9. This auction and the sale of the first retail production 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 70^th Anniversary Edition in January bring the total amount of money raised for charity by the 2023 Corvette Z06 to $4.6 million in 2022.

The 2023 Corvette Z06, which offers the highest-horsepower naturally aspirated V-8 of any production car, drove onto the world-famous auction block in support of the TMCF’s Teacher Quality & Retention Program. Representatives from TMCF, the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black Institutions, were at the auction to experience this exciting moment in the organization’s history.

One hundred percent of the winning bid from Rick Hendrick, chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group and owner of 14-time NASCAR Cup Series champions Hendrick Motorsports, benefits the organization’s TQRP, a training initiative that helps aspiring K-12 educators develop their skills for success in challenging teaching environments. Hendrick will also have the opportunity to customize the first retail production Corvette Z06 convertible. This includes the selection of everything, from the body color to the shade of the brake calipers.

“The 2022 Palm Beach Auction is a community event that we are very proud to be associated with,” said Dr. Harry L. Williams, president & CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. “Through the generous support of GM, Chevrolet and Barrett-Jackson, we raised a significant amount of funds and awareness of our TQRP initiative, which provides opportunities for students of color in the K-12 educational environment and beyond.”

“General Motors and Chevrolet are honored to support the Thurgood Marshall College Fund on its mission to empower students and educators for success,” said Scott Bell, Chevrolet global vice president. “The proceeds from this sale of the first retail production Corvette Z06 convertible will support high-caliber training for future educators studying at HBCUs and PBIs across the nation.”

Ready to purchase your 2023 Corvette Merchandise?  CLICK HERE for all our newest arrivals!  

Photo And Story Credits to GM/Chevy Pressroom 

   Our second CorvetteStoreOnline.com Customer Spotlight belongs to passionate Corvette enthusiast Stan Krafft.  Stan and his wife, Jennifer, are the Social and Membership Directors respectively of their local Corvette Car Club in Lodi, California.  With the aid of his own Z06 & Stingray Corvettes, Stan has been featured on his local Fox News station as the promotional ambassador for the Lodi Corvette Club.  In addition to his dedication to his cars and the Lodi Corvette Club, Stan annually leads and plans roughly 20 or so Corvette Club & Event runs a year that are known to host as many as 160 Corvettes!  

   For someone as involved in the Corvette Community as Stan is you'd probably think that his obsession began at an early age, but that's not quite the case.  Though he's long been a fan of the car, Stan's love for Corvettes actually started with his true love, his wife, Jennifer.  “Jennifer actually got me very interested in Corvettes back in 1985 when we first got married” Stan says. “She owned a 1975 Corvette as a young woman and really enjoyed the Corvette experience." 

   Stan and Jennifer purchased a new Corvette Coupe in 2002 and found great enjoyment in their shared hobby.  Unfortunately, a combination of work and life unexpectedly took the wheel shortly thereafter resulting in a period of very limited use or enjoyment of their beloved Corvette.  Not wanting to leave an American Classic sitting unused on the sidelines the couple sold their Corvette in 2011.  "We regretted selling our 2002 [Corvette], [we] really missed driving it and the Corvette experience." 

   After three years self-proclaimed sellers’ remorse eventually got the best of Stan and Jennifer.  In 2014 they purchased a C7 Stingray Coupe – a car they enjoyed so much that they began "arguing" about who would get to drive it!  The solution?  Buy another Corvette of course! 

   In 2018 Stan and Jennifer bought a Z06 Coupe so that neither would have the opportunity to feel deprived of their passion.  Their enthusiasm for Corvettes eventually overflowed into the lives of those around them.  Stan says he didn’t realize the influence his passion had, going on to add “…two of my neighbors, one close friend, and my cousin, have all purchased Corvettes and joined our Club due to seeing how much [Jennifer & I] enjoy the Corvettes and Club events together." 

   As a CorvetteStoreOnline.com customer, Stan recommends the C7 Corvette Z06 Supercharged Carbon Fiber License Plate Frame and Lloyd's Floor and Cargo Mats as his go to custom appearance items.  It's easy to understand why, Stan says complements, photographs, videos, waves and dozens of questions are not uncommon at a given show or gas station when someone gets the chance to see his Corvettes up close.  While you might not be able to ask him a question about his Corvettes right now, rest assured knowing Stan’s cars have never experienced mechanical issues and have plenty of horsepower! Simply put, you better believe the amenities are just as exquisite as the cars and their performance.  

   When asked about his passion for Corvettes, and his love of the Corvette lifestyle, Stan's quote is remarkable: "In my opinion and many others, no other Sports Car regardless, of price paid, can deliver the overall satisfaction, performance, road manners, appearance and [the] pride of ownership than…….'The All American Bad Boy Corvette.' You never get tired of the Corvette experience, and this is all part of it.  Remember: they don’t write songs about Porsches or Ferrari’s…... but they do about Corvettes." 

Thank you for sharing your Corvette story with us Stan & Jennifer - seldom things are as satisfying as sharing stories about people as passionate as you! 

If you'd like to be featured with your Corvette in our next Customer Spotlight, please send an email to help@corvettestoreonline.com 

Ready to purchase your Corvette merchandise?  Click HERE to browse our full selection! 

Our first CorvetteStoreOnline.com Customer Spotlight features Nolan Russell and his wife, Michelle, who are members of the Southwest Oklahoma Corvette Club in Cordell, Oklahoma.  Nolan has been a CorvetteStoreOnline.com customer for over 5 years and has taken his passion for his 2014 Stingray to a whole new level in that time.  

Nolan's award winning 2014 Torch Red Corvette Stingray was initially purchased as a stock production vehicle.  Though it was beautiful as it was, Nolan had bigger plans in mind making some incredible enhancements to his Stingray since rolling it off the lot.  Some of Nolan's upgrades include a custom hood, racing stripes, engine compartment cap sets, fuel rail covers, a new front spoiler and grille, plus a carbon fiber air intake with a Corsa exhaust! Inside, you'll find a beautiful red interior to match with custom interior knob covers and floor/cargo mats completing the look.  Needless to say, if this beauty's cosmetics don't grab your attention... its exhaust definitely will! 

Not one to be out done, Nolan knows exactly how to show off his Corvette in top style!  If you find yourself at a car show in the Midwest you'll know you've found  Nolan if you see metal street signs directing you towards his Torch Red Stingray display.  This incredible set up is accompanied by a near identical replica "power wheel" Torch Red Stingray, a scale diecast model and of course a red, black and gray checkered display mat to match!  If all that isn't enough of a giveaway, look no further than the guy sitting in his C7 Travel Chair decked out in all kinds of red C7 Corvette apparel... there's a good chance it's Nolan ready to tell you all about his ride! 

There's no doubt owning a Corvette is more than just a hobby, it's a lifestyle!  One of our favorite things to hear from customers is why they have such a strong connection to the Corvette brand and lifestyle and we think Nolan's answer sums it up perfectly: "From it's simple stock beginning to award winning events this car not only drives like a dream but looks like one too…. this car is fun!”  If that's not what loving Corvettes is all about, we don't know what is!  

Thanks for being such a great customer, Nolan!  Your car, much like your passion, is awe inspiring.  

Check out more photos of Nolan's car below!   If you'd like to be featured with your Corvette in our next Customer Spotlight, please send an email to help@corvettestoreonline.com 

Ready to purchase your Corvette merchandise?  Click HERE to browse our full selection! 

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Operation Homefront will receive $3.6 million from the sale of the first retail 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 70^th Anniversary Edition at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction. This is a record sale for a charity vehicle donated by a manufacturer at Barrett-Jackson, surpassing the previous record, held by the first retail 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, by $600,000.

The 2023 Corvette Z06, offering the highest horsepower naturally-aspirated V-8 to hit the market in any production car, was driven onto the block at the annual auction by retired Corvette Racing legend Oliver Gavin. Representatives from Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit focused on building strong, stable and secure military families, were at the auction to experience this exciting moment firsthand. 100 percent of the winning bid from Rick Hendrick, chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group and owner of 14-time NASCAR Cup Series champions Hendrick Motorsports, benefits Operation Homefront.

“We are deeply grateful to our friends at Chevrolet and Barrett-Jackson for choosing Operation Homefront as the beneficiary of this incredible auction,” said Brig. Gen. (ret.) John I. Pray Jr., president and CEO of Operation Homefront. “The proceeds from the sale of this sensational Corvette Z06 will go a long way to helping us help our military families overcome their financial hardships and have the opportunity to thrive in the communities – our communities – they’ve worked so hard to protect.”

Since 2017, Chevrolet has been a proud supporter of Operation Homefront. Chevrolet has provided seven Silverado full-size trucks to the organization’s headquarters and six regional offices, and donated funding for services. Today’s Barrett-Jackson auction significantly increases the funding support Chevrolet has been able to provide to Operation Homefront.

“It’s truly a privilege to support our military members and their families through Operation Homefront,” said Steve Hill, Chevrolet vice president. “Proceeds from the first retail 2023 Corvette Z06 will benefit many U.S. military families across the country who have done so much to serve our country.”

ABOUT CHEVROLET

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, available in 79 countries with more than 3.2 million cars and trucks sold in 2020. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

STORY COURTESY OF GM/CHEVROLET PRESSROOM 

DETROIT – Chevrolet revealed the all-new 2023 Corvette Z06 today in a film featuring an all-star cast of personalities steeped in the heritage and performance of Chevy’s most iconic cars. The film, titled “Putting the World on Notice,” highlights the racing-bred capability, innovative technology and meticulous craftsmanship of Chevrolet’s new 670-horsepower 2023 Corvette Z06 with help from:

• Devin Booker, the professional basketball superstar, gold medalist and avid car enthusiast who became interested in cars after growing up around Corvettes, and often arrives at basketball games in one of his classic Chevrolets.
• Oliver Gavin, the professional racecar driver and Corvette Brand Ambassador who has earned numerous world titles and championships, including five wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, while competing with Corvette Racing.
• Emelia Hartford, the record-breaking performance builder and driver who proudly owns a 2020 Corvette Stingray. She started her passion for cars with the Chevrolet small block platform, and has since amassed a large following from her performance based builds and driving capabilities.
• Bruce Meyer, the founding chairman of the Petersen Automotive Museum, automotive historian and car collector whose personal garage includes iconic Corvettes and Corvette racecars that have competed and won in some of the world’s most enduring races.

In the film, the engineers and designers who developed the Corvette Z06 deliver an in-depth look at the process to conceive the most capable Corvette ever produced. Booker, Gavin, Hartford and Meyer provide commentary and enthusiasm that places the Z06 in historical and contemporary context.

“The all-new Corvette Z06 elevates the Corvette legacy with its incredible power, astonishing handling and premium finishes,” said Steve Majoros, vice president of Chevrolet Marketing. “To tell that story, we tapped enthusiasts that have as much passion for this car as the people that created it. This captivating film reveals how Chevrolet built a world-class car that competes.”

ABOUT CHEVROLET

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, available in 79 countries with more than 3.2 million cars and trucks sold in 2020. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

STORY COURTESY OF GM/CHEVROLET PRESSROOM