Corvette E-Ray #1 auctioned in US
It’s yet to reach showrooms, but the first production example of Chevrolet’s Corvette E-Ray, VIN #001, has sold at auction, raising more than a million dollars for US education charity, DonorsChoose.
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At Barrett-Jackson’s Palm Beach Auction on 15 April, Chevrolet offered Corvette E-Ray VIN #001 as a fundraiser for DonorsChoose, and while the car that actually rolled across the block was not unit Number 1 (that car has yet to be built), Corvette Executive Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter was on hand to generate excitement and encourage bids.
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Announced in January and due to go on sale later this year, the E-Ray will be the first production Corvette with all-wheel drive, combining an electric motor on the front axle with the existing 6.2-litre naturally-aspirated V8 driving the rear wheels. The combination delivers a claimed 655hp (488kW) and 0-97km/h in 2.5 seconds, making it the fastest accelerating production Corvette ever.
![Corvette E-Ray #1 auctioned in US](https://just-prod-assets.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/inline-images/4570.jpg?luwQqbma4r7Jbnwpst1jLK7JgPNNEodm)
This is the third “first” Corvette that Chevrolet has provided to Barrett-Jackson as a charity lot, following the first retail production models of the 2020 Stingray and 2023 Z06.
At the Palm Beach Auction, Corvette E-Ray #1 sold for US$1.1 million (AU$1.46 million approx.), with the winning bid placed by Rick Hendrick, chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group. Owner of 14-time NASCAR Cup Series champions Hendrick Motorsports, Hendrick has been the winning bidder for similar charity auction lots in the past.
The entire US$1.1 million sale price will assist DonorsChoose in continuing to meet the needs of public schools in low-income communities in the USA.
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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,” said Steve Majoros, chief marketing officer, Chevrolet.
“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 organisation in supporting students and teachers around the nation.”
![Corvette E-Ray #1 auctioned in US](https://just-prod-assets.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/inline-images/4592.jpg?ExBWS2r6X9uvQ5FAUCKW1Lzvaw8lPbqt)
Including Corvette E-Ray VIN #001, eighth generation Corvettes that Chevrolet have provided for Barrett-Jackson auctions have raised a total of US$9.1 million for charity.