We see what you’re doing there, Jim Trenary of O’Fallon, very clever! Per their Autotrader listing for 2025 ZR1 #28, which is on the ground and available, “We are asking MSRP, but customers are making offers.”
Final numbers are still being tallied, but we already know that the 2025 ZR1 is destined to be the lowest-production first-year ZR1 since transforming from an obscure add-on to an individual model in 1990, and it is seemingly becoming rarer as time goes on. The ZR1 line at Bowling Green was slated to start early in the calendar year, but it did so with a 100% constraint on carbon fiber parts, and with nearly 70% of buyers having their hearts set on the “big wing” version, Chevy was forced to pull all orders and start fresh after working behind the scenes to source an adequate amount of the sweet weaved stuff. By June, a total of 310 orders had been accepted for production, but with time running out before the changeover to the 2026 model year, the Bow Tie brand had to again pull the rug out from under several buyers of its most expensive car in history, announcing that it would be unable to fulfill all 310 allocations. As of June 30th, staring down the barrel of a two-week shutdown for the 4th of July, only 65 examples had been completed. That left 19 workdays before the scheduled August 4th start date for 2026s. At an average of two cars per day, we’re going to be in the ballpark of 100 units – about one third of what we originally reported – for the inaugural model year.
The 28th of these nearly impossible-to-source American hypercars wears Sea Wolf Gray over a Jet Black 3ZR take on the “old” interior. Both features will be unique among the tiny cohort of 2025 ZR1s. Big ticket option boxes include the Carbon Fiber Aero Package (without the traditionally corresponding ZTK track pack), front lift, black/stealth/Carbon Flash everywhere (20-spoke wheels, interior trim, badges, exhaust tips, and even lug nuts), Edge Red brake Calipers, and multiple additional carbon-centric R and LPOs (sill plates, more interior trim, and the painted split rear window) for a rich and sinister look that would make Lego Batman proud.
The law of supply and demand dictates that these hundred-or-so ZR1s – especially nicely-spec’d ones like the Trenary example – should command a premium over MSRP, and so far at least one dealer has cashed in on the early frenzy, but Additional Dealership Markups (ADMs) have proven to be a double-edged sword as a one-way ticket to shame, ridicule, and even customer black-balling during the life and times of the C8 Corvette. Chevrolet dealerships – particularly ones outside of the top 20 – have had to walk a tightrope between maximizing profit on their limited allocations and incurring the wrath of customers and possibly sanctions from General Motors.
Thus, the genius of the suburban St. Louis (the original home of the Corvette) dealership! It’s hard to hold a grudge when Jim and Co. wanted to sell at MSRP before a few ravenous clients got into a bidding war, isn’t it? The only fair way for them to settle this is to offer it to whoever is willing to pay the biggest price. The only way it could be more brilliant is if they “pulled a Porsche” and also required the lucky winner to buy several less desirable models to earn the right to call themselves a ZR1 owner. So, what’ll it cost to get in on the action and throw your hat in the ring while #28 is still up for grabs? There are different sums all over the place, but, as of writing, the highest one was on Autotrader, where the current bid is listed at a cool $410,000; good luck, everyone, we’re rooting for you, but, at this point, we’re also kind of rooting for the craftiest upchargers we’ve yet to encounter!
Source:
jimtrenaryofallon.com
Related:
Corvettes for Sale: They Want How Much for this Collector-Grade 2012 Corvette ZR1?
Corvettes for Sale: Ultra Rare 1970 Corvette ZR1 Convertible Offered on Bring a Trailer
Corvettes for Sale: Pre-Owned Dealer Wants $450K for the First Flipped 2025 Corvette ZR1
Subscribe Now:
probably the best C8 investment yet , but 2 rich 4 the poe boy…..
I understand the law of suppy and demand but that doesn’t mean I have to like it! Anyone paying double the price has more money than they need anyway. Power to them… Maybe we’re all jealous. Luckily those buyers are limited and will end as quickly as they came. I’ll wait my turn.
As a C8 owner, I can appreciate the situation, but $410k (and counting) is a bit extreme, especially for a car whose VIN is historically insignificant.
If I had $400-plus grand to drop on a car, I’m pretty sure it’ll have a prancing horse logo on it, but I digress.
Best of luck to the bidders!
Auctions and bidding have been around for ever,, eBay – Manhiem – Barrett Jackson –
I just looked at (2) 2019 Corvette ZR1’s ,, first one MSRP $140,375 — 6 years later, they are asking $230,000 and the other $232,667. I think I’ll just go with Stringray and enjoy it, instead of complaining
Why did Chevrolet push customer confirmed 2025 orders to 2026 but allow dealer stock?
If I had the disposable income to buy a new ZR1 I wouldn’t want the 2025 model anyway. I would wait and buy a 2026 with the improved revised interior.
Better to spend that ridiculous mark up on a classic vette then customize it to your liking than overspend. And if their asking that much, why not just buy the reversed engineered original Italian it was based on? I mean, what sounds more impressive to you: “To the owner of the Vette (vs) Ferrari, your car is ready!”
Seller of anything. Corvettes, houses, painting famous person memorabilia can only ‘sell’ what a buyer is willing to pay.
As for car dealers, nobody steps up to pay for big SUVs in a gas crutch, right?
So they make it when they can, and loose when they have to.
If you have it ($$$), you want it, you buy it.
Me? I’m on the sideline ’cause ‘I ain’t got it’.
Doesnt even have carbon interior or comp seats. Plain interior. NOT worth it.
I’d spend about $69-$80k on a used C6 ZR1. If I want to get more power (638hp is plenty), Lingenfelter has upgrades that’ll get me what I want.
I will pass on the 25 zr1 and get me an eray a put a down paymment on a nice beach house that will appreciate within the next 10 years
I just wanna know when production for dealer orders are going to start happening!
Offer upped to $450,000 as of 8/6.
The dealership is misrepresenting the situation. They are actively soliciting bids, and while they aren’t listing a static Additional Dealer Markup (ADM) on the price, their approach effectively serves the same purpose, only now they’re maximizing the ADM through a bidding process.
Traditionally, a dealership might set a fixed ADM, such as a $150,000 premium, and the first buyer willing to pay that amount gets the car. In contrast, this dealership advertises the vehicle at MSRP but includes in the description the current highest bid, stating that interested buyers must offer more. This tactic is essentially an auction, which should still be subject to sanctions from GM for violating ADM and auction policies.
Sorry, I think it is an overly designed ugly car. Like the designed just went nuts with a straight edge and threw a bunch of angles on ghede and said ok that looks like a European Hyper car. It doesn’t. And it’ll still have US build quality. Which means lots of cheap plastic on the interior, subpar leather and dye. I admit I am biased. I bought a 2017 Z06 on a sort of a whim after only buying AMG cars for years. Had always wanted a Vette. so disappointed It was shambolic quality. Sold it before 10k miles. And got an AMG GTR Black for track days. Never again.
If someone gets one of these good for them of they are collecting it but as a driver no way I’d be embarrassed to drive Vette I paid Ferrari money for
Oh, and the worst part is old man Corvette owners will get mad if you don’t wave to them. Sounds awful but expecting me to wave because we have the same car is weird. I have a 2024 G63 4×4 Squared with Renntech stafe 2 tune and I got excited when I saw another one and waved (500 base 4 Squared made worldwide annually) luckily, he got excited too and also waved.
If you like it go for it. I can afford one easily and wouldn’t but that is just me and my preference.
Apologies for the typos- need more coffee 🙂
The issue is have is GM allowing this from their dealers but restricting owners to sell for a period of time. Aren’t the dealers doing this by selling cars outside the dealership?
As a new Corvette owner, you should know the five simple Corvette wave rules:
1. There is no excuse for not waving at your fellow Corvette owner.
2. Whoever sees the other Corvette first, starts the wave.
3. Rules 1 and 2 apply to both sexes.
4. Any type of wave is okay.
5. A late wave is better than no wave.
Wave at your fellow Corvette owners, whoever they are, whenever you see them. This will show you are a person who understands the full measure and etiquette that comes with your proud ownership of an American Corvette.
Thanks,
Ray
Sounds like a giant scam to me. Dealer probably just making up numbers as nobody can see anyone bidding.
In any event, it’s insane to spend Porsche 911 money on a corvette.
Comments are closed.