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Barrett-Jackson Sells 2020 Mid-Engine Corvette VIN #001

The 2020 Mid-Engine Corvette Sells at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona

If you’ve followed the Corvette brand for any length of time, you know that Chevrolet has traditionally auctioned off VIN No. 001 of each new Corvette model at the Barrett-Jackson Auction and donated the proceeds from that sale to an amazing charity.  On January 18, 2020, the all-new Mid-Engine Corvette shared in that tradition as VIN No. 001 crossed the block as Lot #3007 at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The Mid-Engine Corvette prepares to cross the Barrett-Jackson auction block.
The Mid-Engine Corvette prepares to cross the Barrett-Jackson auction block.

As expected, the beautiful 2020 Mid-Engine Corvette sold for big money.  After bidding started at $250,000, the auction price of the first-ever Mid-Engine Corvette rocketed up to $1 million dollars, then $2 million dollars, before reaching the final bid price of $3,000,000 dollars!  Let that soak in folks….THREE MILLION DOLLARS!!

The winning bidder was none other than Rick Hendrick, owner of the American NASCAR racing team, Hendrick Motorsports, co-owner of JR Motorsports and founder of the Hendrick Automotive Group and Hendrick Marrow Program.  Hendrick sat above the majority of spectators in the auction arena, watching the events of the afternoon unfold from his skybox while surrounded by a team of family and friends, including former NASCAR driver and current NASCAR commentator, Jeff Gordon.

The 2020 Mid-Engine Corvette VIN #001 sold for $3 MILLION DOLLARS!  Rick Hendrick (pictured left) was the winning bidder.

As bidding started, Hendrick engaged early and often, countering every bid quickly and without hesitation.  When his winning bid was accepted and the car was announced as “SOLD”, the entire arena erupted into a standing ovation.

The Corvette that crossed the block today is not the actual VIN #001 Corvette, but a representation of the car that will be built by GM later this year (estimated production to begin late Q1, 2020.)   The actual VIN# 001 Mid-Engine Corvette will be a black-on-black Corvette 3LT loaded with every available option offered for the 2020 model year.

The 2020 Mid-Engine Corvette crosses the auction block at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The 2020 Mid-Engine Corvette crosses the auction block at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, Arizona.  GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra (left) and Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter (right) piloted the car onto the block.

This 2020 Mid-Engine Corvette will feature an all-new 8-cylinder, 6.2 Liter LT2 V8 engine paired to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.  The car will include the aforementioned 3LT package, a black exterior, black seats with red trim, red seat belts, GT2 seats, a removable roof panel, rear spoiler, Performance Data Recorder and the Z51 suspension/performance package.

The atmosphere at the Barrett-Jackson auction was electric as the Mid-Engine Corvette (a pre-production model) was rolled to the auction block.  The car was piloted into the arena by Tadge Juechter, Corvette’s Chief Engineer,with Mary Barra, chair and CEO of General Motors, in the Corvette’s passenger seat.

Craig Jackson (CEO of Barrett-Jackson (left)), Tonya Allen (President/CEO of Detroit Children's Foundation), Mary Barra (Chair and CEO of General Motors) and Steve David (President of Barrett-Jackson) celebrate as the bids for the 2020 Mid-Engine Corvette reach $3 MILLION DOLLARS.
Craig Jackson (CEO of Barrett-Jackson (left)), Tonya Allen (President/CEO of Detroit Children’s Foundation), Mary Barra (Chair and CEO of General Motors) and Steve David (President of Barrett-Jackson) celebrate as the bids for the 2020 Mid-Engine Corvette reach $3 MILLION DOLLARS.

Detroit Children’s Fund

Mary was introduced to the crowd by Craig Jackson, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Barrett-Jackson.  After taking the podium, she introduced the all-new Mid-Engine Corvette to the enthusiastic crowd.

“We are so excited to be auctioning off the first retail production unit – VIN 001 – for the Detroit Children’s Fund.” said Mary Barra.  She then introduced Tonya Allen, CEO of the Detroit Children’s Fund.

“We believe that every single child deserves a high quality education and we really believe that to be true, especially for our kids in Detroit.”  said Allen. “We are so grateful to General Motors because General Motors understands that the future isn’t finished….we have to invest in our future, which means the children who are the successors and the birthright of this amazing country.”

One-hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of this car will be donated to the Detroit Children’s Fund – a non-profit organization that makes targeted investments to grow the number of quality schools in Detroit, Michigan.  DCF Investments supports the expansion of quality public schools throughout Detroit, including improvements to lower performing schools as well as the development, retention and recruitment of educators throughout the city.

In addition to the car, Hendrick will receive the framed art and memorabilia that accompanied the car across the block.
In addition to the car, Hendrick will receive the framed art and memorabilia that accompanied the car across the block.

Mr. Hendrick will not only receive the First Retail Production VIN #001 of the all-new 2020 Mid-Engine C8 Corvette Coupe, he will also have the option of taking delivery of this special Corvette at the Corvette Manufacturing Plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky, with a hosted tour of the National Corvette Museum.  The car will also come with a Letter of Authenticity and some unique artwork.

The VIN #001 Mid-Engine Corvette will join Hendick’s Heritage Collection in Concord, North Carolina.  Hendrick has nearly 200 cars in this collection, many of which are Corvettes, including a number of VIN #001 models purchased at various Barrett Jackson auctions over the past decade.