Selling unique versions of the Chevy Corvette to raise money for charity is nothing new for General Motors—and coincidentally, neither is the Corvette that GM will offer at the upcoming 2013 Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Ariz. In fact, that car, which will be auctioned to support Habitat for Humanity, is some 45 years old. But don’t worry, its current owner—GM president and CEO Dan Akerson—has kept the vehicle in showroom condition.
“The 1958 Corvette is pure American ingenuity and creativity and the free spirit that Chevrolet represents to me. I love the car—but I think it’s probably better purposed somewhere else,” Akerson said. “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.’”
Of course, Akerson’s commitment to the Detroit chapter of Habitat for Humanity isn’t a sudden thing either. Before offering up his own personal 1958 Corvette to support the organization, he also made a personal donation of $1 million to launch a three-year Habitat program to serve families in Detroit’s Morningside Commons neighborhood. Proceeds from the Corvette auction will go to the Detroit-area project as well, and there should be plenty.
After all, just 510 Corvettes from 1958 were made wearing the same Regal Turquoise finish found on Akerson’s Corvette, so it’s considered a rarity among rarities.
“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.”
