After a great deal of hype that began last summer, the 2025 Corvette ZR1 is finally arriving in dealerships. Many have already been allocated, with the 2025 model year getting a limited production run. However, 2025 Corvette ZR1 VIN 001 is temporarily on display in the showroom of Rick Hendrick City Chevrolet in North Carolina, giving commoners a chance to at least see one in person. Here’s the most exciting video you’ll see of a ZR1 slowly driving in reverse.
The car itself isn’t for sale; it belongs to Rick Hendrick, the NASCAR team owner whose name is on the building. We reported in January that the car was auctioned at Barrett-Jackson for $3.7 million, with the full hammer price donated to the Red Cross.
Mr. Hendrick’s C8 ZR1 is in a desirable spec. It’s finished in menacing Black (color code GBA) paint with Edge Blue stripes (DUW) and rides on 20-inch front and 21-inch rear 20-spoke Edge Blue-painted forged aluminum wheels (SOF). Naturally, it’s equipped with the ZTK Track Performance Package (ZTK), which bundles the Carbon Fiber Aero Package (TOM), a unique suspension setup with Magnetic Selective Ride Control (FEJ), and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires (XFS).
Hendrick has an expensive Corvette VIN 001 habit. He scored the first production 2024 Corvette E-Ray for $1.1 million, along with the first 2023 Corvette Z06 for $3.6 million, the first retail 2020 Corvette Convertible for $400,000, and the first C8 Corvette Coupe for $3 million. He also placed the winning bid on the first production 2019 C7 Corvette ZR1 way back in 2018, so his latest acquisition will fit right in with his collection.
General Motors pulled the sheets off the 2025 Corvette ZR1 in July, unleashing the fastest, most powerful production Corvette in the nameplate’s history. The lean, mean, supercar-killing machine harnesses the twin-turbocharged 5.5L V8 LT7 gasoline engine, tuned to deliver a blistering 1,064 horsepower at 7,000 RPM and 828 pound-feet of torque at 6,000 RPM. All those ponies can gallop from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.3 seconds, and it boasts a top speed of over 230 mph.
Of course, most C8 ZR1 buyers haven’t paid as much as Hendrick paid for his. As previously reported by GM Authority, pricing for the 2025 Corvette ZR1 1LZ coupe starts at $174,995, including destination freight charges (DFC). The most expensive model of the bunch is the Corvette ZR1 3LZ convertible, starting at $195,995. That’s a pretty penny for sure, but nowhere near the $3.7 million hammer price raked in by VIN 001.
All C8 variants ride on the GM Y2 platform, while production takes place at the GM Bowling Green plant in Kentucky. Ordering for the new ZR1 began in February.
Comments
I saw this car in March at 10/10ths road course in Charlotte. 10/10ths is a new country club road course across the street from the Charlotte oval, jointly owned by Hendrick and the Smith family (owners of the Charlotte Speedway). To celebrate the opening of the track they held a two day vintage racing event for cars from the Historic Trans Am (who I was there with), and held a concourse d’ elegance on Saturday. Thursday and Friday the ZR1 was parked under the overhang of a building next to where our HTA cars were paddocked, and Saturday it was on display at the concourse d’ elegance. Thursday Kyle Larson was there doing donuts on an unused section of the track in a ZL1/1LE Camaro, and afterwards was photographed with the ZR1 C8.
It’s a beautiful car. Normally I’m not a fan of big wings on street cars, but I think I could learn to live with the one on a ZR1.
I do love those wheels. I also seriously love the stripes! I’ll take it!!
It would be a fine upgrade from our ‘09 Rondo LX. If they can get us a payment we can afford and $2500 cash back, we can swing it.
Surprise, Surprise everybody. Rick Hendricks owns 001.
From the article, “Ordering for the new ZR1 began in February” – who could do it? How true is this statement? I placed a request to order one at a larger local dealer (where I bought a 2023 ZO6 in 2023) more than a year ago – my name was on the first place of the waiting list. Dealer informed me two weeks ago that they still do not have any allocations – ordering can’t be taken.
I bought a 2525 Z 06 at Ciocca Chevrolet in December 24. When I asked about buying a ZR 1 I was told the car would only be offered to customers who have purchased multiple corvettes over the years . So my 2 over the last 10 years did not qualify me.
Sorry about your experience with your effort to buy a ZR1. I have purchased more than 10 brand new Corvettes from authorized dealers since 1985. I did not get any offer to order a ZR1.