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Chevrolet has raised millions for charity over the years, and its latest offering just brought in $2.6 million to help injured veterans and first responders. Chevrolet donated its one and only 2026 Stars & Steel Corvette ZR1X to benefit the Tunnel to Towers foundation. This isn’t just any Corvette. Earlier this month, a 2026 Corvette ZR1X completed the quarter mile in 8.675 seconds at 159 mph. The car was tested on pump gas, using standard-equipment tires and production 50-state street-legal engine calibration. It did a 0-60 mph time of 1.68 seconds on the same run. The ZR1X blasted to 60 mph in less than 100 feet, generating a peak of 1.75G of acceleration force.
Why the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X is So Special (and Fast)
The 2026 Corvette ZR1X is powered by both a twin-turbo LT7 V8 engine plus it adds a front-axle electric motor to generate a total of 1,250 horsepower. The electric motor and the engine are totally separate, the EV motor just adds more power and horsepower to the all-wheel drive Corvette.
“When we made the revolutionary shift to a mid-engine platform, this is the type of performance we knew was possible,” said General Motors President Mark Reuss.
The ZR1X Charity Auction
The Stars & Steel Edition Corvette ZR1X with VIN 001 sold at the Barrett-Jackson 2026 Scottsdale Auction for $2.6 million. All of that price will go directly to the Tunnel to Towers foundation. Barrett-Jackson is not taking any of its traditional fees. Tunnel to Towers was selected as the recipient to recognize their mission to provide mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children. Tunnel to Towers also pays for building custom smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders, and providing housing and services for homeless veterans. Chevrolet has created its Stars & Steel collection in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States.
“To honor those who serve, Chevrolet created a 1-of-1 edition of America’s quickest production car, the Corvette ZR1X,” said Scott Bell, vice president, Global Chevrolet. “We’re proud to know the winning bid will go directly to supporting first responders and veterans in need across the United States through the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.”
Who Bought the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X
Rick Hendrick, chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group and owner of Hendrick Motorsports, will receive the 1-of-1 Stars & Steel-inspired Corvette ZR1X. The Corvette will be hand-painted by experts at General Motors’ Design Fabrication shop in a custom Dark Satin Steel finish, with blue accents across the car including brake calipers, Santorini Blue interior and blue on the Carbon Aero rear wing. Hendrick will also have the opportunity to help build the twin-turbo V8 engine that powers their ZR1X’s rear wheels. Hendrick has NASCAR race teams and, dealerships and also builds components for GM’s line of military vehicles.
Supporting America’s Veterans and First Responders
For more than 15 years, Chevrolet has worked with Barrett-Jackson’s charity auction program to generate millions in donations for great causes. This auction brings the total amount of money Chevrolet has raised at Barrett-Jackson charity auctions through the sale of eighth-generation Corvettes to $15.5 million. Tunnel to Towers has been a key charity for the automaker. Hendrick has purchased a number of the charity Corvettes over the years.
"General Motors and Chevrolet have proudly stood with Tunnel to Towers in honoring those who serve and sacrifice for our nation,” said Tunnel to Towers foundation Chairman and CEO Frank Siller. “This incredible gift will help us continue delivering on our promise to never forget the families of our fallen heroes and to ensure our catastrophically injured veterans can live their lives with the dignity and independence they deserve. My brother Stephen ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel on September 11th to give his life for others – and today, through the generosity of Chevrolet, Barrett-Jackson, and this winning bidder, we carry forward that spirit of selfless service. On behalf of the Gold Star families, first responder families, and veterans we serve, we are deeply grateful."
“The Chevrolet Corvette has proudly represented American performance and engineering for over 70 years,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “I have some beautiful Corvettes in my collection and recognize that this 1-of-1 Stars & Steel-inspired Corvette ZR1X is a very special opportunity to not only own a rare collectible, but help raise more money and awareness to benefit our first responders and veterans. The winning bidder has purchased a truly amazing car that is sure to be a very special piece of automotive history.”
Chevrolet Now Invites Buyers to its Build Your Own Engine Experience
Starting with the 2026 ZR1X, Chevrolet will again allow buyers to be a part of the “Build Your Own Engine” program. The program was dropped in 2019. Chevrolet is the only automotive brand to offer customers a factory-guided engine build experience.
Beginning this spring, customers ordering a new Corvette Z06, ZR1 or ZR1X have the option to add the Build Your Own Experience to their order. This exclusive experience allows them to work alongside master builders at the Performance Build Center at Bowling Green Assembly to assemble and sign the V8 that will power their Corvette.
The 2026 Corvette ZR1X began production in December 2025, at the General Motors’ Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Kentucky.
Chevrolet Photo
Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.
Follow Mary Conway at @MaryConwayMedia and send her car news tips for future stories.
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