The one-off ZR1X suggests that Chevrolet may soon offer highly personalized options at the very top of the Corvette lineup. Alongside that announcement, the automaker revealed a one-off ZR1X, set to be auctioned at the Barrett-Jackson Winter Auction on January 24, with proceeds going to the Tunnel to Towers non-profit.
Chevrolet shared images of the vehicle on Instagram, and in an interview, Phil Zak, the brand’s global design executive director, explained that this singular ZR1X could mark the start of expanded customization options. “We’ve already had customers make special requests, but more on that later,” Zak said.
The Stars & Steel Corvettes previously shown featured either Arctic White or Black paint, paired with Santorini Blue or Adrenaline Red interiors, and Satin Silver or Satin Black stripes. The one-off ZR1X is the first of this series and the inaugural production ZR1X, finished in a new Dark Satin Steel shade that carries a subtle blue hue, reminiscent of the Lucid Air’s Fathom Blue.
This particular finish has never appeared on a production Chevy before, and applying it proved difficult, so GM’s Design Fabrication Shop in Warren, Michigan, known for finishing the CX and CX.R concepts, handled the hand-applied painting.
As the Corvette brand moves into higher-tier trims, Zak added, the buyers “have a literal thicker wallet,” for whom bespoke options mean something different. The Dark Satin Steel ZR1X is a way for Chevrolet to “test the waters” in specialized customization, in a manner similar to Ferrari’s Tailor Made or Lamborghini’s Ad Personam programs.
Earlier reports had suggested engine displacements of 5.7 and 6.6 liters for upcoming Corvettes, but leaks indicate the new engine could be even more extreme.
Zak also mentioned that buyers at The Quail didn’t ask about costs for special requests, they simply stated what they wanted. “We’re kind of not there yet,” he said, but GM recognizes that its wealthiest clients value rare experiences as much as the vehicles themselves.
The purchaser of the one-off ZR1X will receive a special welcome and have their name engraved on the engine plaque after helping build the LT7. Establishing a dedicated department to serve the richest Corvette buyers will take time, but the brand’s mid-engine layout, world-class performance, and emerging customization programs are clearly attracting a higher tier of clientele.
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