[VIDEO] 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible Sells for $700,000 at Barrett-Jackson

With much fanfare, the 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition with the 60th Anniversary package drove up on the Barrett-Jackson auction block Saturday afternoon and was hammered sold for $600,000. Minutes later it was annouced that William Vannoy, the losing bidder in the auction, had also donated $100,000 to the sale to bring the total amount raised for charity to $700,000. Buying the rights to buy the VIN 001 2013 Corvette was Barrett-Jackson regular Ron Pratte.

The sale of the Corvette was highest at Scottsdale so far. Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports and driver Jeff Gordon teamed up to offer the Corvette and the $700,000 in auction proceeds will be going directly to the AARP’s Drive to End Hunger program.

The 60th Anniversary 427 Convertible was introduced with a quick video and then Chevy’s John Fitzpatrick introduced Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter. Here is a portion of Tadge’s intro:

“… we are sending the 6th generation Corvette out on a high note. Beautiful white car, you can see the accent colors. Our best technology, lots of carbon fiber on this car. Our best suspension technology, but best of all – 427 engine. Many of the most expensive, most coveted cars that have ever crossed this block have been 427 Corvettes and many folks will tell you this may be your last chance to get one.”

Here’s the video from the auction:

Chevrolet will be offering both the 427 Convertible Collector Edition and a 60th Anniversary package during the final year of production for the 6th generation Corvette. The next generation C7 Corvette will be introduced next year as a 2014 model.

At the heart of the the 427 Convertible is the 427 cubic inch 7-liter LS7 engine from the Corvette Z06. Rated at 505 horsepower and 470 ft-lb of torque. It’s the most powerful engine ever installed in a production Corvette convertible.

Pratte won the right to buy the VIN 001 Corvette and also included was a 2011 Jeff Gordon firesuit and a VIP trip to the 2012 Daytona 500. Pratte can also elect to build the 505-horsepower LS7 at the Performance Build Center as part of the Engine Build Experience and then join the Corvette for an exclusive owners tour as his car is assembled in Bowling Green.

Source:
SPEED

Related:
January Corvette Auction Preview: Barrett-Jackson
Barrett-Jackson to Auction First 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible
GM Unveils New 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible and 60th Anniversary Package