CRC Industries to Auction Celebrity-Built, Hydrogen-Powered ’57 Chevrolet Bel Air
The Barrett-Jackson auction will support the company’s Build for the Future Initiative to benefit students entering the trades…
A hydrogen-powered 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air built for CRC Industries’ Build for the Future scholarship initiative has been selected as a featured charity car at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction. The vehicle will cross the auction block on Jan. 21, 2026, with 100% of the hammer price benefiting TechForce Foundation, the non-profit that provides scholarships to aspiring technicians to help close the skilled trades employment gap.
The cherry-red Bel Air was unveiled to wide acclaim at SEMA 2024 and will stand among some of the world’s most exclusive collector cars at the flagship Barrett-Jackson event. The project was completed in collaboration with longtime CRC partners Jeff and Jeffrey Lutz of Lutz Race Cars and NHRA Top Fuel world champion Clay Millican, who documented the build via social media, with contributions from numerous donating partners and celebrity collaborators.
The vehicle’s standout feature is a hydrogen-fueled 5.7L Gen-III Hemi V-8 engine, built by Mike Copeland, CEO of Arrington Performance, and paired with an Edelbrock 2650 supercharger to deliver 500 hp. Additional upgrades include a TCI automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, air conditioning and a custom red-and-black interior.
“The ‘57 Bel Air build is about far more than creating a one-of-a-kind collector vehicle; it represents a community of talented individuals coming together in support of skilled trades,” said Len Mazzanti, CEO of CRC Industries. “We’re honored to see it featured on the Barrett-Jackson block and are hopeful for a strong result at auction that not only honors those who contributed to the build but also ensures unparalleled financial support for those pursuing technical careers.”
Supporting Students Pursuing Technical Education
The Build for the Future scholarship awards financial support to 10 students pursuing technical school education (five scholarships for automotive trades and five for industrial or welding careers). Of these scholarships, three are awarded to women. Each recipient is guaranteed a minimum of $2,500, with the possibility of up to $8,000, depending on auction proceeds. Should an auction exceed $80,000, excess funds are donated to TechForce Foundation to provide additional scholarships, according to officials.
“TechForce works every day to support the next generation of professional technicians and close the skilled careers gap, but we cannot do it alone,” said Jennifer Maher, CEO of TechForce Foundation. “Through Build for the Future, CRC Industries shows exactly how powerful corporate partnership can be in advancing that mission. This initiative not only fuels critical scholarship support, but it also brings national visibility to the opportunities and rewards of pursuing a technical career.”
In addition to the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, other Build for the Future projects have included a 2006 Pontiac GTO (2023), which sold at auction in May 2025, and a 1977 Chevrolet C10 Pro-Street truck, which debuted at SEMA 2025. That vehicle will tour throughout 2026, including an appearance at Sick Week 2026, where Jeffrey Lutz Jr. will race it against his record-holding father, Jeff Lutz, and will be auctioned in 2027.
