Richard Rawlings of Gas Monkey Garage and the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X hardly need introductions. Rawlings has built some of the coolest cars around and produced years of entertaining automotive content, while Chevrolet’s latest performance monster has set records and exceeded expectations. Now Rawlings wants to put a brand-new 2027 Corvette ZR1X convertible in somebody else’s driveway.
We recently spoke with Rawlings about the bright yellow Corvette, the latest in Gas Monkey Garage’s long-running series of vehicle giveaways. He was as enthusiastic about the car as you might expect. When we asked why he chose the ZR1X, Rawlings explained that Gas Monkey likes giving away vehicles that are relatively unattainable, giving enthusiasts a chance to own something they might never otherwise get their hands on.
The ZR1X is arguably one of the world’s most attainable hypercars, at least in theory. Chevrolet has packed 1,250 horsepower, electrified all-wheel drive, and extraordinary track performance into a production Corvette, starting at $227,800. That’s an astonishing amount of performance for the money, although the price climbs considerably when you start adding options. Finding one for sale is another matter entirely.
Gas Monkey Garage confirmed that the giveaway car carries VIN #14 for the 2027 ZR1X, giving it an exceptionally early identification number. Between that detail, its extraordinary performance, and Gas Monkey’s willingness to hand over the keys to a winner, we had plenty to discuss with Rawlings.
Why Rawlings Chose the ZR1X
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This is Gas Monkey Garage’s 33rd giveaway, and Rawlings explained that having fun and giving people a chance to experience extraordinary cars are important parts of the program. The ZR1X certainly fits his preference for cars most people would have a hard time getting.
Chevrolet’s twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 produces 1,064 horsepower on its own. Add a 186-horsepower electric motor driving the front wheels, and the combined output reaches 1,250 horsepower. That’s enough for Chevrolet to record an 8.675-second quarter-mile run at 159 mph on a prepared drag strip, using pump gas and street-legal equipment.
Those numbers are impressive, but one of the things Rawlings appreciated most about the ZR1X was how surprisingly ordinary it can feel when you’re not trying to set a record.
He pointed out that visibility is good, backing the car up is easy, and there’s nothing particularly intimidating about driving it around town. Despite the staggering performance, he considers it a car someone could use every day.
A Corvette capable of running a quarter-mile in less than nine seconds can still take its driver to lunch, run errands, or park without needing a crew of mechanics standing by.
An Old-School Car Guy Looks at the Future
Rawlings made his name working with traditional performance cars, custom builds and old-fashioned horsepower. But he’s also realistic about where the automotive industry is heading.
We talked about electrification and the increasing role computers play in modern performance cars. The ZR1X is a particularly interesting example because Chevrolet has paired an enormous twin-turbo V8 with an electric motor to deliver power to all four wheels.
Rawlings acknowledged that electrification is part of the industry’s future, even if his own automotive roots are decidedly old-school. We also discussed how much the business of building and modifying cars has changed. Where enthusiasts once spent hours adjusting mechanical components to extract more horsepower, today’s performance work increasingly involves computers, software, and laptops.
With Chevrolet already extracting this kind of performance from the C8 platform, we asked Rawlings where the company could possibly go with the eventual C9 Corvette.
He was confident Chevrolet would find a way to improve on what it has already accomplished. Considering how far the Corvette has come since the introduction of the mid-engine C8, Rawlings wasn’t inclined to underestimate what its engineers might do next.
You Don’t Need ZR1X Money to Have Fun
Most enthusiasts aren’t shopping for a Corvette that costs more than $200,000, so we asked Rawlings what he’d recommend to someone looking for something fun without spending that kind of money.
He brought up Fox-body Ford Mustangs and Chevrolet IROC-Z Camaros from the 1980s, two familiar names for anyone who grew up around American performance cars. Both have plenty of personality, V8 options, and strong enthusiast followings.
Rawlings also mentioned the Porsche 718, which takes a different approach to performance with its mid-engine layout and emphasis on handling.
Then he brought up something considerably more unexpected: the Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG from the early 2000s.
With its twin-turbocharged V12, the S65 offered tremendous performance and luxury when new. Rawlings suggested that used examples could be found for around $30,000, a surprisingly accessible price for a car that once occupied the upper reaches of the Mercedes-Benz lineup.
Of course, buying a twelve-cylinder Mercedes for $30,000 and maintaining one for $30,000 are two entirely different propositions. There’s a reason these cars have depreciated so dramatically, and repair bills haven’t necessarily followed their resale values downward.
For enthusiasts willing to take on the maintenance, it’s an intriguing alternative to spending new-Corvette money.
How to Win Gas Monkey Garage’s ZR1X
Gas Monkey Garage’s giveaway features the yellow 2027 Corvette ZR1X convertible, with the winner able to have it wrapped in a color of their choosing. According to the official sweepstakes rules, the vehicle is valued at up to $386,396, with a total prize package valued at approximately $388,896.
The winner also has the option of visiting Rawlings’ personal garage in Dallas, with travel arrangements included for the winner and two guests.
Rawlings emphasized the established structure behind the giveaways, telling us the promotion is licensed and bonded. The published rules name National Sweepstakes Company, LLC, based in Newark, New York, as the independent administrator responsible for the drawing.
No purchase is necessary to enter. Gas Monkey offers entries through qualifying merchandise purchases, but the official rules also provide a free mail-in method.
The sweepstakes is open to eligible residents of the 48 contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., as well as Canada excluding Quebec, subject to age restrictions. The winner is responsible for applicable taxes, registration, and other ownership expenses. The rules also provide a cash alternative of $129,833 for someone who would rather take the money.
The giveaway closes November 9, 2026, with a random drawing scheduled for approximately November 11. Free mail-in entries must be postmarked by November 2 and received by November 9.
You can find the full details, including free-entry instructions, in Gas Monkey Garage’s official giveaway rules.
Before we wrapped up our conversation, Rawlings offered one final piece of advice for automotive enthusiasts: “Have fun, but be safe.”
Good advice from a man giving away a Corvette with 1,250 horsepower.
You can also follow Gas Monkey Garage on Facebook and catch Richard Rawlings and the crew in their latest automotive adventures on the official Gas Monkey Garage YouTube channel, where they continue building, buying, and having fun with some remarkable cars.