Tagged: elfie duntov

C1 Corvettes / C2 Corvettes / C3 Corvettes / Corvette Founding Fathers / Corvette History / Corvette News & Opinions / Zora Arkus-Duntov

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Founding Fathers Pt 4 of 6: Corvette Godfather, Zora Arkus-Duntov

One of the definitions of the word, “godfather” is; “one that founds, supports, or inspires”. Of all of the Corvette’s “Founding Fathers” none are more deserving of the term than Zora Arkus-Duntov. It is not an exaggeration to say that were it not for Duntov, the Corvette never would have made it past 1970!

Although the Corvette fit the definition of a “sports car”, when Chevrolet released the car in 1953, they said that the car was, “not a sports car”. But when Zora saw the Corvette at the 1953 GM Motorama in New York City, he said that it was the most beautiful car he had ever seen, and knew instantly that he wanted to be a part of the new Corvette team.

Corvette Timeline Tails: Happy 102nd Birthday Zora Arkus-Duntov

C1 Corvettes / C2 Corvettes / C3 Corvettes / Corvette Models / Corvette People / Corvette Prototypes / Corvette Timeline Tales

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Corvette Timeline Tails: Happy 102nd Birthday Zora Arkus-Duntov

So who was responsible for infusing the Corvette with it’s Mojo? Zora Arkus-Duntov. Zora was, without a doubt, the ultimate automotive corporate misfit to ever work in Detroit. By the time he saw the very first Corvette at the 1953 Motorama, he was 44 years old, a seasoned mechanical engineer, race car driver and builder. he was quoted as saying, “When I saw the Corvette at the Motorama, I thought it was the most beautiful car I’d ever seen.” And Duntov appreciated beauty. Just look at his stunning blond beauty wife and former Bluebell Girls dancer, Elfie Duntov. yes, Zora new a good-looking dame when he saw one and one look at the Corvette and he knew where he wanted to be – in the engineering department of Chevrolet, working on the Corvette.

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