[VIDEO] GM CEO Akerson’s 1958 Corvette to be Sold at Barrett-Jackson

We told you earlier this year about a special 1958 Corvette that will soon be serving a special purpose. Now we know more details.

General Motors Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson had announced in February that he was going to auction off his personal ’58 to help Habitat for Humanity Detroit and its efforts to rebuild the Morningside Commons neighborhood near GM’s Renaissance Center world headquarters in downtown Detroit.

Well, GM announced this week that the auction date has been set for Friday, Jan. 18, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. EST, at the prestigious Barrett-Jackson Auction Company in Scottsdale, Ariz. That will be just five days after the C7 Corvette is finally unveiled to the public, so interest in Corvettes should be at an all-time fever.

“The 1958 Corvette is pure American ingenuity and creativity and the free spirit that Chevrolet represents to me,” Akerson said. “I love the car – but I think it’s probably better purposed somewhere elese. The need for Habitat for Humanity is so great that I thought, ‘Wow, maybe I could really make a difference in a whole different way.'”

That Akerson would choose to use the car to help Habitat is no surprise. He and his wife, Karin, have already given $1 million to help launch “Leaders to Rebuild Detroit,” a three-year, $25 million initiative to help at least 500 families in Morningside Commons through house construction, rehabilitation, and energy efficient upgrades.

“I hope the new owner will feel like their money is going to a good place,” Akerson said. “It will help families become more rooted in our community. At the same time, they’re going to have new memories and new fun of their own. It’s not often you can get all of it packaged into a great car, great fun, great memories and that you’re doing something good at the same time.”

Akerson’s car itself is a hardtop convertible, one of just 5 percent of 1958s that were painted Regal Turquoise. In all, 9,168 Corvettes were built in the 1958 model year, featuring a 245-horsepower V8 and dual headlights for the first time.

“The fact that Dan is giving up a car that I know must mean an awful lot to him is very humbling,” said Vincent Tilford, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Detroit. “For whoever buys this classic car, not only are they going to give it a new home, but they’re also going to give new, better and healthier homes to families in this neighborhood – and actually help rebuild an entire community.”

For more details or to register for the auction, call 480-421-6694 or visit www.barrett-jackson.com/scottsdale/2013/danakerson.

Source:
Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction

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