The National Corvette Museum is currently doing restoration work on the 1974 Corvette that once belonged to Zora Arkus-Duntov. Can one of my NCRS colleagues enlighten me as to just how Zora acquired this car? It has an unusual VIN and paint code. My research has reached a dead end, but I am convinced that this was a special car at the time it was manufactured. Thanks. Roger
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Re: Zora's 1974 Corvette
Was it not given to Zora upon his retirement? I believe it was a 454 engine. -
Re: Zora's 1974 Corvette
Correct. I spoke to Zora at Meadowbrook as he and Elfie ewited the car. We talked of the paint, the lug nuts ground open to view the deptv of the studs, etc. He called it his retirement gift. Well deserved. Saw he and Elfie again at a vintage race event on that same trip and we talked to Patterson as he brought the GS from California. Zora provided some interesting tidbits on the GS development. The 74 is cool. He said the boys tuned it for him referring to the engine lab guys.Comment
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Re: Zora's 1974 Corvette
les bieri, deceased MAC chapter member, bought this car then donate it to the NCM. mikeComment
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Re: Zora's 1974 Corvette
Steven, a quick story about Zora and Bob Patterson's Grand Sport which is now owned by Larry Bowman. In 1980 the NCRS National was held in California at the Dunfey Hotel in San Mateo. Zora and Elfie were honored guest who flew into the San Francisco International Airport. A very good friend of mine was task to pick them up at the airport and transport them to the hotel. When they reached the hotel my friend carried Elfie"s luggage and Zora his own into the lobby where the restored chassis of Bob's GS was on display. My friend proceeded to the registration counter with Elfie. Zora did not. Upon entering the hotel Zora spotted the chassis and immediately dropped his bags and proceeded to it. His first question was who owned it. Bob and Zora spent several hours discussing the chassis at the event!Comment
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Re: Zora's 1974 Corvette
I heard about the donation to the Museum also, Mike. They had contacted a restoration shop in Texas about rejuvenating the car, but so far I don't think that has been done.Comment
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Re: Zora's 1974 Corvette
when I took our 57 airbox to the NCM for display about 1 1/4 years ago, Zora's 74 was on a lift at the NCM shops. I was told it was about to undergo restoration, by the nom staff. mikeComment
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Re: Zora's 1974 Corvette
Is there any besides Naber?Big Tanks In the High Mountains of New MexicoComment
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Re: Zora's 1974 Corvette
I was told on Labor day of this year that the NCM had reconsidered and were not going to restore Zora's 1974. I plan to visit there next week and will again inquire about their plans for the car. My previous discussions with them discouraged the planed work on the car, but I am not sure how much influence I have down there.TerryComment
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Re: Zora's 1974 Corvette
If my memory serves me correctly, I believe the car was built in Yellow( production color) but subsequently refinished in the blue it now wears with his initials added on the drivers door. I believe a shop in Toledo Ohio (ACI??) performed the refinish.Comment
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Re: Zora's 1974 Corvette
Zora's car is once again in the shop at the NCM. It will not get a complete restoration, but the plan is to remove the body and do some work on the frame. The engine is due to be sent out to be rebuilt. I work at the museum and will keep you updated as work progresses.Comment
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