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2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Races into the Record Books - Raising $3.7 Million for the American Red Cross

Chevrolet donated the first production 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 for charity. The winning bidder is a familiar face.

The first production 2025 Corvette ZR1 sold for an incredible $3.7 million this weekend at the prestigious Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Corvette ZR1’s purchase price ties the record for charity vehicle donations. I captured a screenshot showing the top bidder, Rick Hendrick, as his winning bid was confirmed. Hendrick, the owner of Hendrick Motorsports was joined in the audience by his partner, former racing champion, Jeff Gordon. Hendrick has long collaborated with GM and Chevrolet. His team races Chevrolets, he has Chevrolet dealerships, and his company works closely with GM Defense on new technology.

Hendrick Has a Long History of Generosity

As I have previously reported, Barrett-Jackson guarantees that 100 percent of the auction price will go to the chosen charity. In this case, Chevrolet chose to help the American Red Cross. The Red Cross is currently helping disaster relief efforts in areas impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton, as well as helping people affected by recent wildfires, storms and other disasters.

The $3.7 million price tag ties the record donation for a charity vehicle at Barrett-Jackson set in 2022. The vehicle sold then was the first retail 2023 Corvette Z06 70th Anniversary Edition.

As I reported in January of 2022, the buyer of that vehicle was also Rick Hendrick. “Rick Hendrick, founder and CEO of Hendrick Companies, is the incredibly generous buyer of the very first 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 70th Anniversary Edition. Hendrick did not attend in person, he made his purchase over the phone. He is also the one who bought the first 2020 mid-engine Corvette Stingray at Barrett-Jackson for $3 million. Back in January of 2020, Hendrick said. “I am the number one Corvette junkie in the world. Thanks to Chevrolet and Barrett-Jackson, because they always pick charities that are so good and help so many people.” That charity auction benefitted Operation Homefront, which helps military families.

The 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

The 1064 hp Corvette ZR1 is the pinnacle of American engineering,” said Scott Bell, vice president, Global Chevrolet. “We at Chevrolet are proud to work with Barrett-Jackson and the Red Cross so that the historic sale of this American icon benefits people whose lives were impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton, countless disasters across the country.”

Corvette Chief Engineer Josh Holder introduced the quickest, fastest and most powerful Corvette ever. The ZR1 is considered America’s first true supercar. It is powered by the LT7, a 5.5-liter, twin-turbocharged DOHC flat-plane crank V8 engine that produces 1,064 horsepower at 7,000 rpm. The engine produces the most power ever from a factory Corvette.

As I reported previously, recent testing in Germany proves that the 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is now the fastest car ever built by an American auto manufacturer. General Motors President Mark Reuss drove a 2025 Corvette ZR1 233 mph, setting a top speed record beating any current production car priced under $1 million. The ZR1 is the fastest car GM has ever produced.

“General Motors has shared some of our biggest and most memorable moments when we have raised money together for charity on the Barrett-Jackson auction block,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “Over the years, GM has entrusted Barrett-Jackson to sell some of their most coveted first-production vehicles for charity, and we’re honored to have continued that tradition in Scottsdale with the sale of the first retail production 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (Lot #3005). We made history by selling this rare collector vehicle for $3.7 million, while also helping the Red Cross fulfill its mission to feed and provide emotional support to victims of disasters. Between the recent hurricane on the East Coast and fires in California, the money is certainly needed.”

The Red Cross is Fighting Disasters on Both Coasts

“The Red Cross is working around the clock to provide help and hope to people across the country impacted by disasters big and small, including wildfires, floods and other crises,” said Cliff Holtz, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. “We cannot thank Chevrolet enough for their tremendous generosity as we work together to offer critical relief and comfort to families and communities in dire need.”

This auction brings the total amount of money Chevrolet has raised at Barrett-Jackson charity auctions through the sale of eighth generation Corvettes to $12.9 million. That is just for the mid-engine Corvettes. GM has raised millions more through the sales of other VIN 001 models like GMC Hummers and Cadillac Escalades.

Barrett-Jackson Screenshot

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.

Follow Mary Conway at @MaryConwayMedia and send her car news tips for future stories.