Akerson’s ’58 Vette Going on Block for Habitat for Humanity

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A new home for aclassic American car will soon help pave the way for several new homes forfamilies throughout metro Detroit.
GeneralMotors Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson’s personal 1958 Chevrolet Corvette will beauctioned off on Friday, Jan. 18, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. EST, by the famedBarrett-Jackson Auction Company in Scottsdale, Ariz.  All proceeds will be donated by Akerson to Habitat for Humanity Detroit and its efforts torebuild the Morningside Commons neighborhood located just east of GM’sRenaissance Center world headquarters in downtown Detroit.“The1958 Corvette is pure American ingenuity and creativity and the free spiritthat Chevrolet represents to me.  I lovethe car – but I think it’s probably better purposed somewhere else,” Akersonsaid.  “The need for Habitat for Humanityis so great that I thought, ‘Wow, maybe I could really make a difference in awhole different way.’”

Akerson’saffiliation with Habitat for Humanity Detroit has been ongoing. Last February,he and his wife, Karin, made a personal donation of $1 million to help launch“Leaders to Rebuild Detroit,” Habitat’s three-year, $25 million initiative toserve at least 500 families in Morningside Commons through house construction,rehabilitation and energy efficient upgrades.

“Thefact that Dan is giving up a car that I know must mean an awful lot to him isvery humbling,” said Vincent Tilford, executive director of Habitat forHumanity Detroit.  “For whoever buys thisclassic car, not only are they going to give it a new home, but they’re alsogoing to give new, better and healthier homes to families in this neighborhood– and actually help rebuild an entire community.”

The1958 Corvette featured a 245-horsepower V-8 and included new body andinstrument panels and new upholstery. External highlights included dual headlamps – a Corvette first – andtwin chrome trunk spears.  Chevroletbuilt 9,168 Corvettes for the 1958 model year, but only 510, or just over 5percent, were painted Regal Turquoise. Akerson’s Corvette is a hardtopconvertible and is considered scarce among remaining 1958 models.
“Ihope the new owner will feel like their money is going to a good place,”Akerson said. “It will help families become more rooted in our community. Atthe same time, they’re going to have new memories and new fun of theirown.  It’s not often you can get all ofit packaged into a great car, great fun, great memories and that you’re doingsomething good at the same time.”The National Corvette Museum will be in attendance with merchandise available for sale as well as raffle tickets for their various upcoming Corvette raffles. For information on upcoming raffles, please visit http://www.corvettemuseum.org/raffle/.

For more details orto register for the auction, call 480-421-6694 or visit
www.barrett-jackson.com/scottsdale/2013/danakerson.