Corvette Z06 VIN 001 Sells For $3.6 Million

In 2020, Rick Hendrick paid a staggering $3 million for the privilege of owning the first-ever Corvette Stingray. Without context, you may think the NASCAR team owner and car collector may have drastically overbid for a car with a starting price of $60,900. The reason behind the astronomical price tag? Charity.

Hendrick clearly has a thing for Corvettes - the wealthy gearhead just broke his own record, purchasing VIN 001 of the C8 Corvette Z06 for a whopping $3.6 million. The considerable chunk of change will be heading to a good cause, though. Chevrolet donated the highly-anticipated sports car to aid Operation Homefront, an organization helping military veterans.

The 2023 First Retail production 70th Anniversary Edition Z06 was one of several cars auctioned off for charity. With $3.6 million coming from the sale of the all-American sports car, it was certainly the biggest drawcard of them all. Additionally, musician Pitbull donated his 2022 Karma GS-6 EV "305 Edition", which sold for $500,000.

Other vehicles on the auction block included a 2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone Hybrid Crewmax Pickup ($700,000) and a 2022 Ford Shelby GT500KR First Production ($700,000). Overall, more than $8.8 million was raised for charity at the company's 50th-anniversary celebration.

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

As a reminder, the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is powered by a 670-horsepower, 5.5-liter LT6 V8 capable of hitting 60 mph in a supercar-rivaling 2.6 seconds. General Motors have previously expressed how the latest generation is a world-beater, with myriad development laps taking place around hallowed European circuits such as the Nurburgring.

Aside from the aforementioned Corvette Stingray, Rick Hendrick has also forked out $1.2 million to own the first model of the second-generation Acura NSX and has previously paid through his nose for several other first-edition Corvette derivatives.