CRC Industries to auction celebrity-built hydrogen-powered ‘57 Chevrolet Bel Air at Barrett-Jackson to fund skilled-trade scholarships

HORSHAM, Pa. – CRC Industries, a global leader in specialty chemicals for automotive and industrial maintenance and repair, announced that its hydrogen-powered 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, built for the company’s 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 January 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 5.7-liter Gen 3 HEMI V8 engine, built by industry legend Mike Copeland, CEO of Arrington Performance, and paired with an Edelbrock 2650 supercharger to deliver 500 horsepower. 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.”

“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, 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.

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.

For more information about Build for the Future, including tour locations, please visit www.crcbuildforthefuture.com or follow CRC on Instagram at @crcauto. To monitor the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air’s status at auction, visit www.barrett-jackson.com.

About CRC’s Build for the Future Scholarship Program: CRC Industries launched the Build for the Future scholarship program in cooperation with TechForce Foundation to inspire young men and women to explore a rewarding career in a technical trade and empower them through strong community, scholarships, and career placement programs. More information on the program can be found at crcbuildforthefuture.com.

About TechForce Foundation: TechForce Foundation is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) whose mission is to guide students through education and into careers as professional technicians. TechForce supports the technician workforce by awarding more than $4 million annually in scholarships and grants to financially disadvantaged students. The foundation works to change perceptions of this evolving “new collar” STEM career and provides local career exploration and workforce development programs. TechForce’s online network connects students, working technicians, instructors, employers, industry professionals, and enthusiasts, providing free resources for aspiring technicians.

About the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company: Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Barrett-Jackson is a leader in collector car auctions and automotive lifestyle events, which include authentic automobilia auctions and the sale of private collections. Welcoming hundreds of thousands of attendees per year, Barrett-Jackson hosts live collector car auctions in Scottsdale, Arizona; Palm Beach Florida; and Columbus, Ohio, where thousands of the most sought-after, unique and valuable vehicles cross the block in front of a global audience. With broadcast partner A+E Networks, Barrett-Jackson features live television coverage of their events on FYI and The HISTORY Channel, as well as all the cars, all the time via their produced livestream on Barrett-Jackson.com. Also based in Scottsdale, the Barrett-Jackson Collection Showroom offers a rotating selection of premium vehicles that meet the high standards for which the company is known. Barrett-Jackson also endorses a one-of-a-kind collector car insurance for collector vehicles and other valued belongings. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit www.barrett-jackson.com.

About CRC Industries: CRC Industries, Inc. is a global leader in the production of specialty products and formulations for the do-it-yourselfer and maintenance professional—the people who keep everyone moving forward in a world that never stops. For more than 65 years, we’ve been rolling up our sleeves to create products and solutions that are born from, and tested in, the important work that gets done every day around the world. Serving the automotive, industrial, electrical, marine, heavy truck, and hardware markets, CRC trademarked brands include: CRC®, Brakleen®, Evapo-Rust®, K&W®, Marykate®, SmartWasher®, Sta-Lube®, and Weld-Aid®.

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