In January, General Motors sent a shockwave through the Corvette community by offering for sale some of the marque's most famous experimental, developmental, and pilot-line cars. These special Corvettes were part of the GM Heritage Collection, an assortment of significant vehicles from throughout the corporation's 100-year history. Although GM did not offer an official explanation for the sell-off, it was believed to be part of a desperate bid to raise operating capital in the face of plummeting new-vehicle sales.Thirty-three Corvettes crossed the block at Barrett-Jackson's annual Scottsdale event, and all of them sold. What follows is a list of some of the more interesting Vettes included on the docket. (Note: Sale prices include buyer's premium.)
1989 Chevrolet Corvette ZR2 "Big Doggie"
Sale Price: $71,500
This experimental prototype was used to determine how to convert the Corvette from small- to big-block power. Its 454-cube V-8 and orange paint scheme make this high-horsepower engineering study a one-of-a-kind standout in Corvette history. The car is autographed by development engineer and test driver John Heinricy.
OTHER HERITAGE COLLECTION CORVETTES
SOLD AT BARRETT-JACKSON SCOTTSDALE |
| Lot No. | Description | Sale Price |
| 96 | '89 ZR-1 Coupe | $110,000 |
| 98 | '91 Coupe "Purple Smash" | $49,500 |
| 396 | '05 "Pacific" Custom | $46,200 |
| 397 | '05 "Atlantic" Custom | $38,500 |
| 46 | '99 "Shark" Custom | $57,200 |
| 470 | '97 "Beta Build" | $41,800 |
| 906.1 | '94 Custom Coupe | $66,000 |
| 907.2 | '91 Convertible | $110,000 |
| 1217.1 | '94 H.O. | $19,800 |
| 1218.1 | '08 Indy Pace Commemorative Edition | $63,800 |
| 1219 | '07 Indy Pace Car Edition | $50,600 |
| 1230.4 | '89 ZR-1 Coupe | $198,000 |
| 1301 | '98 Convertible "First Built" | $110,000 |
| 1302 | '89 ZR-1 Coupe "Snake Skinner II" | $73,700 |
| 1344.2 | '92 ZR-1 Coupe "First Built" | $82,500 |
| 1356 | '90 Right-Hand Drive | $27,500 |
| 1356.1 | '93 LT-1 Spyder Convertible | $30,800 |
| 1599 | '89 "Splash" Custom | $71,500 |
| 1600 | '98 "X-Plorers" Concept | $23,100 |
| 1615 | '00 Z06 Race Car | $28,600 |
| 1617 | '03 Le Mans Pace Car No. 3 | $27,500 |