A custom-built 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air powered by hydrogen brought in $100,000 for skilled trade scholarships after crossing the block at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction on Jan. 21, 2026.
The cherry-red classic, created by CRC Industries as part of its Build for the Future initiative, was featured as a charity vehicle during the high-profile collector car event. The full hammer price will go to TechForce Foundation, a national nonprofit that supports students pursuing careers as professional technicians.
The sale marked Barrett-Jackson’s first hydrogen-powered vehicle to be auctioned, drawing strong interest from the crowd. Bidding intensified as the price climbed, with Devin Smith, owner of Southern Elite Contracting Inc., ultimately increasing the final offer from $80,000 to $100,000 to expand the scholarship impact. Smith leads a general contracting company with nine locations across the Southeast and more than 500 employees working in skilled trades such as framing, electrical, HVAC, flooring and painting.
The Bel Air was built with performance and innovation in mind. It features a hydrogen-fueled 5.7-liter Gen 3 HEMI V8 engine producing 500 horsepower, paired with an Edelbrock 2650 supercharger. The engine was built by Arrington Performance CEO Mike Copeland. Additional enhancements include a TCI automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, air conditioning and a custom red-and-black interior. NHRA Top Fuel world champion Clay Millican served as a spokesperson for the vehicle at the auction and contributed a racing firesuit to the charity package. He also collaborated on the build alongside Jeff and Jeffrey Lutz of Lutz Race Cars.
Through Build for the Future, CRC Industries funds 10 technical school scholarships annually—five in automotive trades and five in industrial or welding fields. Three of those scholarships are designated for women. Each recipient receives at least $2,500, with potential awards reaching $8,000 depending on auction proceeds. When a vehicle sells for more than $80,000, additional funds are directed to TechForce Foundation to expand scholarship support.
TechForce Foundation awards more than $4 million annually in scholarships and grants to financially disadvantaged students and works to connect aspiring technicians with education, tools and career opportunities.
CRC Industries, a global manufacturer of specialty products for automotive and industrial maintenance professionals, launched the scholarship program to help address the skilled technician shortage and encourage more young people to pursue technical careers.
