Daily Slideshow: Behind the Scenes of the ZR1 VIN 001 Auction

Corvette want to give something back.

For all the hype you've probably heard surrounding the upcoming 2019 Corvette ZR1 performance car, there's already more to feel good about it than specs or aesthetics. Chevrolet has been looking to make the world a better place with their latest superstar well before it even hits dealerships.

This new "king of speed" from Corvette technically received its first sale on January 20th at the Barrett-Jackson specialty auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. As the United States' preeminent collector car auctioneer, they've traditionally been the ones to handle prestigious sales like this one. The 2019 ZR1 has turned out to be one of the 21st century's most hotly anticipated sports cars, and bidders had a chance to lay claim to the very first production model to be wheeled off the assembly line. There was no way this wouldn't have gotten a lot of exposure and demand, but Chevrolet guaranteed all of the proceeds to charity.

ZR1 VIN 001: The first of the best.

The ZR1 has been repeatedly billed as the best Corvette that has ever seen production. This sentiment has been echoed by everyone from Chevy officials to the automotive reporters who have had the chance to see it for themselves. The car's specs say this much as well; with an awe-inspiring 755 horsepower, the 2019 ZR1 leaves much of its competition in the dust.

The ZR1 VIN 001 is special because it's the first car to have been produced. This gives it a lot of future historical value if the ZR1 is set to be as successful as we think.

>>Join the conversation on this Auction for Vin 001 of the 2019 C7 ZR1 right here in Corvette Forum.

The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

A charitable event is only worth as much as the cause behind it.

It's vaguely surreal to think that closer to two decades has passed since the September 11th attacks. It's not controversial to say 9/11 has had some of the greatest historical weight of any single event in shaping the century thus far. Between the fact that so much time has passed and its historical ramifications, it's easier for some people to forget that the personal loss of life still stings every bit as much for the families that were affected.

Chevrolet nobly decided to put their pilot ZR1 sale towards the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a non-profit organized to help those who were most directly impacted by 9/11. Although it has since broadened its scope to include helping all emergency services and military personnel, the foundation also directly funds mobile exhibits to honor the memory of the attacks. In one example of their efforts, they helped raise $100,000 to help pay off the mortgage for the family of a US Deputy Marshal who died in the line of duty. 

>>Join the conversation on this Auction for Vin 001 of the 2019 C7 ZR1 right here in Corvette Forum.

Chevrolet weren't the only ones feeling charitable.

Given the fervour surrounding the ZR1's release, we could have easily seen an event hosted specifically around the one sale.

You know how it is though. Where Chevrolet goes, Ford is going to be lurking somewhere around there as well.

The Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction was packed with prestigious bids. Ford's contribution was the 2019 Mustang Bullitt, itself a VIN 001 "first off the line" model. Some of you will no doubt recognize the Bullitt special edition as a tribute to the 1960s film of the same name starring Steve McQueen. Unlike other vintage-themed special editions, this Mustang Bullitt doesn't try to copy the iconic car McQueen drove in the movie, instead carrying over the distinctive highland green hue and fastback design of the modern age. Where the ZR1 proceeds are going to 9/11 relief, Ford's charity is Boys Republic, a non-profit school for at-risk youth that Steve McQueen himself was helped by as a kid.

>>Join the conversation on this Auction for Vin 001 of the 2019 C7 ZR1 right here in Corvette Forum.

A $925,000 sale; not bad at all.

People wouldn't likely dish out close to a million dollars for a VIN 001 unless the ZR1's hype machine had done its job. The bids via Barrett-Jackson are clear evidence that people are crazy about this car. By auction's end, the VIN 001 had sold for an incredible $925,000.

The winning bidder will reportedly get a choice between the coupe of drag top convertible version, along with a range of options the ZR1's been slated for. There's a certain level of speculation involve when it comes to placing value on a VIN 001 car. The prestige depends on the success of the car itself, but of course, that remains to be seen for proof. The positive press about the ZR1 has been palpable. No seems to be able to simmer down over it, and we've got to wonder how much of this early hype will translate into sales.

>>Join the conversation on this Auction for Vin 001 of the 2019 C7 ZR1 right here in Corvette Forum.

The money's going to a noble cause.

At the end of the day, we've seen more of one of our future-favorite sports cars. The Stephen Siller foundation has close to a million dollars worth of new funds to create some good with. Chevrolet has stirred more anticipation for their car. The winning bidder is the proud owner of an automotive gem.

Win-win. If you're interested in reading more or donating to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation directly, you can find their official webpage here.

If you want to check out a bit more on Barrett-Jackson and specialty car auctions, click here.

>>Join the conversation on this Auction for Vin 001 of the 2019 C7 ZR1 right here in Corvette Forum.

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