The Final C7 Corvette Could Bring Massive Money at Auction

[midenginenc]

The black Z06 being auctioned for charity isn’t just the last C7, it might be the last front-engine Corvette ever built.
If you pay any attention to the world of American sports cars, you likely know that the next generation of the Chevrolet Corvette will be introduced to the world on July 18th and when it arrives, this new Vette will introduce the long-awaited mid-engine design. Of course, the introduction of the C8 means the end of the C7, and Chevrolet has already announced that the final C7 Corvette will be a black Z06 and it will be auctioned off for charity.

A great many “first Corvettes” have been auctioned off for charity over the past few years, with cars like the first Stingray, the first Z06 and the first ZR1 all bringing big money at auction. These cars have routinely sold for right around a million dollars, but I think that the last C7 Corvette being auctioned off for the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation could bring far more money. After all, this isn’t the first of many examples of a new trim level – this could be the last front-engine Corvette ever built by General Motors, making it an incredible collector’s piece.

Charity Auction
The final 2019 Chevrolet Corvette of the C7 era – and possibly the last front-engine Corvette ever built – will roll across the Barrett-Jackson auction in Connecticut on June 28th.

[jsmatt]

It is a shamed that the average guy does not have a chance any more to get the first or last of any of the new models. I can appreciate them going for charity, but they end up in a showroom, or warehouse, because they end up too valuable to drive.

[Fireeagle]

I somewhat agree with jsmatt that the average person won't be able to get a first or last, but it is a good thing that the proceeds from the auction go to charities. The value that they bring to those charities are worth the accessibility offset.

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It is a shamed that the average guy does not have a chance any more to get the first or last of any of the new models. I can appreciate them going for charity, but they end up in a showroom, or warehouse, because they end up too valuable to drive.

By a series of coincidences (placed a standing special order with my dealer in Detroit well before any info was available in the US- I had read about the prototype car being tested in a German magazine while in Germany on business) I ended up getting the first STS (when the style and engineering was radically updated under the Art & Science initiative) produced and released to the public. I received notice from GM that it was being produced and then would be held for QC. About a week before it was to be released to me, I saw what I thought was my exact STS on the road and followed the car into a parking lot. The driver lowered his window, was incredibly gracious and answered a bunch of my questions, including my final one "I was told my car was to be the first released to the public, how is it that you are driving one?" He said, "I'm Kip Wasanko, Cadillac Chief Designer. Give me a call when your car is delivered and we'll get together."

I did and Kip signed my STS on the dark wood above the glove box on the dash. The car turned out to be excellent and I enjoyed driving it for about 4 years before replacing it with another STS. Neither the fact that it was the first released to the public nor that it was signed, IMO, added to the value when I sold the car...just to my personal pleasure.

[brad66]

I had the privilege to tour Rick Hendrick's private collection last year and he has many first and last Corvettes. I have a feeling he will bid whatever it takes to get the last C7.

[John]

I somewhat agree with jsmatt that the average person won't be able to get a first or last, but it is a good thing that the proceeds from the auction go to charities. The value that they bring to those charities are worth the accessibility offset.

A good friend of mine got # 2 C7 on September 20, 2013, literally the day after Mr. Hendrick received his for his special place in line purchased at over $1.0M.

I applaud Mr. Hendrick. I applaud my friend even more for saving $1M.