First 2023 Chevy Corvette Z06 Convertible Raises $1 Million for Charity

Over the years, Chevrolet has been kind enough to use its halo vehicles to raise money for charitable causes. The first retail production 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible will help change young people’s lives by sending them to college. The first 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 3LZ Convertible sold at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Palm Beach, Florida, for one million dollars. The entire amount will go to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, which will use the money to support students through college. Barrett-Jackson waived its fees to help the worthy cause.

Lot #3005 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 3LZ Convertible

The mid-engine Corvette is a stunner and the Z06 versions coming in 2023 will be true supercars. The Z06 is powered by the all-new 5.5-liter LT6, the highest horsepower naturally-aspirated V-8 to hit the market in any production car, ever. An all-new flat-plane crankshaft design entices drivers to push the tachometer to a lofty 8,600 rpm, creating 670 hp.

According to Chevrolet, almost every exterior detail unique to the Z06 serves a purpose for aerodynamics, handling or cooling. The Corvette is designed to look like it is in motion. Designers pulled out the fenders to accommodate larger wheels and air intakes, giving the Corvette Z06 a wider, lower appearance. The rear fascia gives the Z06 a unique look. The interior is designed to look like the race car that it is. The Z06 is built for speed and is filled with carbon fiber, race car-like accents.

Unique features include an available carbon fiber-wrapped steering wheel and shift paddles, custom leather wrapped instrument panel and doors, eight interior color options, sueded microfiber upper interior trim and GT2 seats with Napa leather and carbon-fiber trim. With 12 available exterior colors and seven interior colors (with the opportunity to create thousands of combinations), as well as seven available wheel packages, the 2023 Corvette Z06 is the most bespoke Corvette yet.

Who is the Lucky Bidder?

The winning bidder is Rick Hendrick, one of the most generous car dealers and NASCAR team owners around. Hendrick will be able to choose the convertible’s color, interior trim and options. Hendrick says he is a Corvette fanatic and he is known for typically being the high bidder every time Chevrolet donates a Corvette for charity. In January, the crowd at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, was mesmerized as the first 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 70th Anniversary Edition, VIN 001, was sold for a whopping $3.6 million. Hendrick was the high bidder for that Z06 as well.

Chevrolet donated that first 2023 Z06 to raise money for Operation Homefront, a charity that helps veterans. Operation Homefront helps military families overcome short-term problems so that they do not become long-term chronic issues. The non-profit provides critical financial assistance, housing and family support programs. That sale set a new record for a charity vehicle sale at Barrett-Jackson. The previous record was set by the first retail 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. That vehicle sold for $3 million. When Rick Hendrick bought the first 2020 Corvette Stingray in 2020, he 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.”

Thurgood Marshall College Fund Inc

TMCF provides access to opportunities for students to journey to college, through college and into a career. Despite the universal challenges that face today’s college bound student, TMCF transforms the lives of thousands of students each year.

Barrett-Jackson Photo

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