Winning eBay Bidder Takes Delivery Of Chevy SSR #2

Auction raises $137, 850 for Heinz C. Prechter Award For Automotive Excellence

CANAL WINCHESTER, OHIO - Chevrolet dealer Bob McDorman took delivery of his 2003 Chevrolet SSR (Super Sport Roadster) which he immediately customized with a personalized Ohio license plate reading "SSR0002".

McDorman tendered the highest bid for the SSR Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) 2, the second of 25 saleable vehicles produced in the SSR Signature Series. Each of the 25 vehicles is being used in unique marketing launch programs that create a one-of-a-kind "pedigree." Both the vehicles and the program carry the name "Signature Series." General Motors reserved VIN #1 for its permanent collection.

"I'm extremely proud to be the recipient of this SSR and to know that the proceeds are benefiting Heinz C. Prechter Award for Automotive Excellence for the SAE Foundation," said McDorman. "When I learned SAE was auctioning this vehicle I knew that I had to have it."

All 25 Signature Series models feature a badge with signatures of individuals that contributed to the program. The signatures found on VIN #2 are Rick Wagoner, chairman & CEO, General Motors; Bob Lutz, GM vice chairman of product development and chairman of GM North America; Gary Cowger, GM group vice president and president of GM North America; Wayne Cherry, vice president for design, General Motors; and David Treadwell, director, ASC Incorporated.

General Motors announced in May 2002 that it would donate to the SAE Foundation the second SSR built. The SAE Foundation in turn announced that the vehicle would be auctioned on eBay with proceeds used to provide funding for the Heinz C. Prechter Award for Automotive Excellence which will benefit students at the collegiate level. The award was established in memory of the late Prechter who founded ASC Incorporated a global specialty vehicle and systems company. The Chevy SSR was among the last specialty vehicles with which Prechter was involved before his July 2001 death.

McDorman submitted two bids during the last two minutes of the auction and outbid 96 other potential owners securing his winning bid of $137,850. The auction ran from April 25 to May 5, 2003. McDorman's SSR is the lowest VIN sold to the public.