Auction of first Chevy Corvette E-Ray raises million-plus for charity

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The very first 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray crossed the auction block at Barrett-Jackson’s Palm Beach event mid-April, raising US$1.1 million for DonorsChoose, a non-profit organization that provides school teachers with resources. The car was sold April 15 to Rick Hendrick, chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group and owner of 14-time NASCAR Cup Series champions Hendrick Motorsports. Hendrick is well-known as a Chevrolet sports-car collector, and particularly for buying these VIN-001 cars.

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“General Motors and Chevrolet are proud to join DonorsChoose on its mission of combatting inequality in school funding by providing underserved communities with the resources needed for a quality education,” Steve Majoros, chief marketing officer at Chevrolet, said in a statement. “The Corvette E-Ray is a special product for Chevrolet, and we are honoured that the proceeds from the sale of VIN 001 will aid this organization in supporting students and teachers around the nation.”

The new Corvette E-Ray is powered by a 6.2-litre small-block V8 engine located in the rear, paired with an electric motor on the front axle. Together those powertrains produce a combined 655 horsepower, and make it the quickest Corvette in history, completing the zero-to-60-mph (-96-km/h) run in 2.5 seconds.

In addition to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray, Chevrolet has in the past auctioned off for charity the first retail production examples of the 2020 Corvette C8 Stingray; and the 2023 Corvette Z06. Both were also purchased by Rick Hendrick. That means VIN-001 C8-generation Corvette sales have cumulatively raised US$9.1 million for various charities.