First Production C8 Corvette Sells For $3 Million

The hammer price of the C8 Corvette VIN 001 goes down as $3 million, a hefty price to pay for a car that doesn’t yet exist!

The cars you see sell at the Barrett-Jackon auctions and the prices they bring in seem to be endlessly bonkers. The numbers start to get even more insane, though, when there is a special car up for a charity auction. Millionaires don’t seem to be afraid to throw down seven figures for a good cause and a cool car. This C8 is no exception.

One such millionaire car collector is Rick Hendrick. According to Motor Authority, Hendrick is quite a Corvette enthusiast, so it only makes sense that he wouldn’t let this opportunity slide by. Hendrick won the very first production C8 Corvette with his final bid of a cool $3 Million. The proceeds are going to the Detroit Children’s Fund. This charity focuses on helping Detroit’s kids see success through school and supply and maintain qualified teaching staff in the Detroit area.

However, the car you see in the pictures crossing the auction block is not the car that sold. Allow us to explain.

As you’ll likely know, the production of the C8 Corvette has seen some issues. The GM strike put these mid-engine monsters behind schedule, and they are now expected to begin production in February 2020. Chevy also states that customers should start receiving their pre-ordered C8 Corvettes by the end of February.

The delay didn’t stop Chevy from making a spectacle at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2020 auction. Instead, General Motors CEO Mary Barra rolled onto the auction block in a red pre-production C8 Corvette. The actual car that Hendrick will receive is a black-on-black assembly with both the 3LT and Z51 packages. We can only imagine it will come well dressed with just about every option, too. Even though it’s for a good cause, you’d like to think Hendrick is getting it all for spending such a massive sum.

Hendrick is not new to spending big money on a Corvette, though. The NASCAR team owner (and former Cup Series driver), also owns the last C7 Corvette ever made. He purchased it at another Barrett-Jackson auction in July 2019 for $2.7 Million. That C7 is also black on black, so having the matching C8 Corvette only seems right. Additionally, he also owns the first production Chevy Volt and the first 2017 Acura NSX. We like to see a little diversity in a car collection!

Needless to say, this sale only furthers the immensely built anticipation surrounding the release of the C8 Corvette. We can’t wait to start seeing these things rolling around the streets, and we are glad the first one built is helping support a great cause.

Photos: Motor Authority

.