#CruisingPeachy #CulturedPeachy #ZoraArkusDuntov @CorvetteRacing @corvettemuseum Zora Arkus-Duntov’s Only Corvette, Now Fully Preserved, Will Debut at National Corvette Museum’s 31st Anniversary
After a meticulous, multi-year preservation effort, the only Corvette ever owned by Zora Arkus-Duntov, the legendary “Godfather of the Corvette,” will make its public debut during the National Corvette Museum’s 31st Anniversary Celebration, August 28–30.
Zora’s personal 1974 custom two-tone blue Corvette Stingray, a retirement gift from Chevrolet, has been preserved with surgical precision by the Museum’s Collections and Preservation team. The body was carefully lifted from the chassis to allow full access to the frame, suspension, and underbody. Each component was documented, cleaned, stabilized, and reinstalled to preserve its originality. Even the creased leather armrest on the driver’s side, stressed from years of Zora’s elbow resting while he drove, was left untouched.
“This car represents Corvette history in its purest form,” said Robert Maxhimer, National Corvette Museum Director of Curatorial Affairs & Education. “Preserving Zora’s personal Corvette is the first of many in-depth preservation projects that will ensure our collection lasts for generations.”
Zora Arkus-Duntov, inducted into the Corvette Hall of Fame in 1998, was instrumental in transforming the Corvette into a world-class performance car. His personal 1974 Corvette Stingray is equipped with a 454 big block engine, automatic transmission, air conditioning, power steering and brakes, and aluminum wheels. These features reflect his expertise in achieving a balance between engineering precision and performance.
The car was originally painted silver, then repainted green. Later, Zora brought it to a friend who offered to give it a new paint job. Unaware of the final plan, Zora was surprised to receive the vehicle in a custom two-tone blue livery, complete with his initials, “ZAD,” on the doors. He was pleased with the result. His wife, Elfi, commemorated the moment by creating a painting of Zora standing beside the Corvette. A small decal reading “Zora Arkus-Duntov Engineering Center” remains on the rear deck, serving as a quiet tribute to his legacy.
The completed preservation will be unveiled as the cornerstone of a reimagined Corvette Hall of Fame exhibition, launching during the Anniversary weekend. Attendees will get exclusive insight into the preservation process during expert-led sessions, featuring the next generation of Museum restorers who brought this iconic Corvette back to life.
About The National Corvette Museum: The National Corvette Museum, a 501(c)3, not-for-profit foundation, is where Adrenaline Meets Tradition by serving as an educational and research institution with the mission of educating worldwide audiences on the evolution of the Corvette—America’s Sports Car—through the collection, preservation, and celebration of its legacy. Located a mile from General Motors' Bowling Green Assembly Plant, which has manufactured every Corvette since 1981, the Museum Campus features 115,000 square feet of Exhibit and event space, more than 100 historically significant Corvettes, 50,000 Corvette artifacts, and the NCM Motorsports Park. For more information or to plan your visit, visit corvettemuseum.org, or follow the Museum on Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and X.
