Corvette Enthusiasts Will 'Feel the Need for Speed' in eBay Motors Auction of One-of-a-Kind Model

Proceeds Will Benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation® Helping to Grant the Wishes of Children with Life-Threatening Illnesses

 

Participate in the Online Auction at www.ebay.com/makeawishcorvette

DETROIT - The Z06: 405 horsepower, zero to 60 in under four seconds, top speed 170 mph. Specs to make any Corvette enthusiast's dream come true. Not to mention that this one-of-a-kind, collectible car is also one of the most unique pieces of memorabilia to come from the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Now imagine it helping to make dreams a reality for children with life-threatening illnesses.

The Chevrolet Corvette Signature Car, signed by more than 500 celebrities, dignitaries and athletes - including film and television stars, Olympians and community leaders - will be available for bidding online on eBay Motors (www.ebaymotors.com) by the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America.

Bidding will begin on the eBay Motors Web site July 29 at approximately 5 p.m. PST and continue through Aug. 8, ending at approximately 5 p.m. PST, with all proceeds benefiting the Foundation. To participate in the online auction, visit www.ebay.com/makeawishcorvette.

During the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Torch Relay, Dec. 4, 2001 to Feb. 8, 2002, the Corvette Signature Car embarked on a 13,000-mile journey across the nation, stopping in cities along the route just days before the arrival of the Torch itself.

Among those to sign the car at celebrations hosted by participating Chevrolet dealerships were actor Martin Sheen, star of The West Wing; Good Morning America's Diane Sawyer and Charlie Gibson; Miss America 2002 Katie Harman; actor Alan Arkin; former basketball great Julius "Dr. J" Irving; singer Donny Osmond; the Beach Boys' Mike Love and Al Jardine; actress Cheryl Ladd; actor Adam West, who portrayed Batman on the classic TV series; singer Huey Lewis; University of Georgia Athletic Director Vince Dooley; country stars Billy Gilman and David Ball; legendary country crooner Glen Campbell; former San Francisco Giant and Baseball Hall of Famer, first baseman Willie McCovey; Larry Coker, head coach of the University of Miami's football team, the Hurricanes; basketball legend Oscar Robinson; Olympic Medalists Bob Beamon, Amy Van Dyken, Michael Phelps and Tom Dolan; and famed Olympian and TV spokesperson Suzy "Chapstick" Chaffey.

Chevrolet, a presenting sponsor of the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Torch Relay, donated the car to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in addition to enabling 25 Make-A-Wish(r) kids and volunteers to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame.

The 2002 Corvette Z06 is the fastest Corvette to date, with a high-performance suspension system and a 405-horsepower engine. Manufacturer's suggested retail price is $50,350.

"We're delighted to have this fundraising opportunity," says Paula Van Ness, president and CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. "This unique blending of industry and charity is a shining example of the American spirit and embodies the unity represented by the Olympic Games."

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. It is the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 79 chapters in the United States and its territories and 23 international affiliates spanning five continents. Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted more than 97,000 wishes to children around the world.

Together, the International Union, UAW (UAW-GM) and the General Motors Corporation (GM) are committed to the largest sponsorship in the history of the Foundation and have helped to grant hundreds of children's wishes all across America.

In support of this sponsorship, UAW-GM people, GM employees and GM dealers in communities around the country have personally committed to volunteerism, fundraising and wish granting... truly Making Smiles Standard Equipment® for these courageous children.

UAW-GM's support comes from the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources, which develops and administers education, training and retraining programs and joint activities for approximately 140,000 UAW-represented GM employees.

 

CONTACT(S):
Vicki Greenleaf / Karen Brundage, WishWorks(r)
(323) 660-5800
vgreenleaf@wishworks.org