The gavel has fallen in Palm Beach. When General Motors announced they were sending a one-of-a-kind military truck to the Barrett-Jackson auction block, we knew it would draw serious money. We also had a strong feeling we knew exactly who might be holding the winning paddle. Over the weekend, the first-ever publicly offered Infantry Squad Vehicle Utility crossed the block. It hammered for an incredible seven figures, and the keys went to none other than Rick Hendrick.
This auction represented a moment at the intersection of American engineering, military heritage, and serious philanthropy. Here is exactly how the million-dollar sale went down in Florida.
The Bottom Line: Quick Facts
- The Vehicle: One-of-a-kind 2026 GM Defense ISV-U (Infantry Squad Vehicle Utility)
- Winning Bidder: Rick Hendrick (Chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group and Hendrick Motorsports)
- Hammer Price: $1,000,000
- The Charity: 100 percent of the proceeds benefit the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation
Table of Contents
- The Bottom Line: Quick Facts
- The Winning Bid: Rick Hendrick Claims Another GM First
- A Million-Dollar Hammer Price for the Medal of Honor Foundation
- Looking Back at the ISV-U Build
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Winning Bid: Rick Hendrick Claims Another GM First
Rick Hendrick is no stranger to the Barrett-Jackson auction block. The NASCAR team owner and automotive mogul has a well-documented history of writing massive checks to secure General Motors “firsts” for charity. Over the years, Hendrick has purchased the very first retail production models of the C8 Corvette Stingray, the C8 Z06, the C8 E-Ray, and the Camaro ZL1 1LE. This weekend, he added the first publicly offered GM Defense ISV-U to that legendary collection.
But Hendrick actually has a direct, hands-on connection to the hardware on this specific truck. Aside from his massive dealership empire and racing teams, he serves as the chairman of Hendrick Technical Solutions. That company actually manufactures the critical rollover protection system (ROPS) and the chassis exoskeleton for the entire GM Defense ISV program.
“The GM Defense ISV-U is an impressive piece of engineering, built to perform in the world’s most demanding conditions,” Hendrick told the crowd in Florida. “But what makes today’s auction truly special is what it represents. Honoring the men and women who serve our country and supporting the mission of the Medal of Honor Foundation is incredibly meaningful. I take tremendous pride in our partnership with GM Defense and the role Hendrick Technical Solutions plays in the ISV program. I’ve been fortunate to be around a lot of remarkable vehicles in my lifetime, but this one carries a special kind of meaning.”
A Million-Dollar Hammer Price for the Medal of Honor Foundation
The hardware is impressive, but the real story here is the charity. Every single dollar of that $1,000,000 hammer price goes directly to the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. This organization supports the living recipients of our nation’s highest military award and helps preserve the legacy of their sacrifice to project its values of courage and service to future generations.
Four of the 64 living Medal of Honor Recipients were on stage in Palm Beach alongside the truck: David Bellavia, Kyle Carpenter, Terry Richardson, and Matt Williams.
Kyle Carpenter officially opened the bidding with a speech that commanded the attention of the entire auction arena. “The Medal of Honor is a beautiful burden of immeasurable weight,” Carpenter said. “It has never been about any one of us, it is worn by the few, for the many. It inspires a standard of courage, service, and sacrifice, ideals we all share a responsibility to uphold.”
Looking Back at the ISV-U Build
If you missed our original breakdown of this custom military rig, you can read our full preview of the GM Defense ISV Utility Barrett-Jackson Auction.
To recap, GM Defense engineered this one-off 2026 ISV-U to showcase the ultra-light tactical vehicle they build for the U.S. Army and allied forces. It is based heavily on the proven Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 architecture and utilizes familiar, highly durable GM powertrain components. For this specific auction, the truck was wrapped in a custom livery celebrating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States and honoring the legacy of the Medal of Honor.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who bought the GM Defense ISV-U at Barrett-Jackson? Rick Hendrick, the owner of NASCAR’s Hendrick Motorsports and the chairman of Hendrick Automotive Group, purchased the one-of-a-kind ISV-U at the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach auction.
- How much did the GM Defense ISV-U sell for? The vehicle sold for a final hammer price of $1,000,000, with 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to charity.
- What charity benefited from the GM Defense ISV-U auction? The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation received all proceeds from the auction. The foundation supports living Medal of Honor Recipients and their families while preserving the legacy and history of the medal.
- Did Hendrick Motorsports help build the GM Defense ISV? Yes. Hendrick Technical Solutions, a company chaired by Rick Hendrick, manufactures the rollover protection system (ROPS) and chassis exoskeleton used on the GM Defense ISV and ISV-U platforms.
Zane Merva is the Executive Editor of GM-Trucks.com and the President of the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA). A veteran automotive journalist with over 26 years of experience, Zane is a designated ‘Car Talk’ Expert and has been a contributor to The Boston Globe. He possesses a unique evaluative perspective, having road-tested more than 2,000 vehicles across every major manufacturer. While he is a recognized authority on General Motors truck platforms—including the Silverado, Sierra, and Colorado—his expertise is grounded in decades of deep competitive analysis that few in the industry can match. His commentary has been featured by major OEMs and media outlets, including Hyundai and PR Newswire