The National Corvette Museum is restoring Zora Arkus-Duntov’s personal Corvette, allowing visitors to see the work in progress.
The National Corvette Museum is restoring a piece of automotive history: Zora Arkus-Duntov’s personal 1974 Corvette Stingray. Despite being credited as the “Father of the Corvette,” Arkus-Duntov did not own one until his retirement in 1975. Now, the car he cherished for 15 years is undergoing a meticulous restoration, and enthusiasts will have the opportunity to see it mid-process during the museum’s annual Bash event from April 24–26.
Arkus-Duntov played a crucial role in shaping the Corvette into a true performance machine. His contributions, including the introduction of the small-block V-8 in 1955 and his tenure as Chevrolet’s director of high-performance vehicles, set the stage for the Corvette’s evolution into an American sports car icon. However, as a GM executive, he never personally owned one—until he left the company and purchased a fully loaded 1974 big-block Stingray with a 454-cubic-inch V-8 engine.
The Corvette was later customized with a two-tone blue paint scheme and Arkus-Duntov’s initials on the doors. He sold the car in 1989, and after his passing in 1996, it was donated to the National Corvette Museum. Now, the museum’s restoration team has taken on the task of preserving the car while maintaining its originality.
The restoration process has involved stripping the frame to bare metal, repairing rust damage, and reinforcing the chassis with rust-preventative coatings. The front and rear suspension have been refreshed, and the original 454-cid V-8 has been rebuilt and reinstalled. The body, however, will retain its signature two-tone blue finish and distinctive lettering.
The project is expected to be completed by August, but visitors can witness the ongoing restoration in person during the museum’s annual Bash. For Corvette fans, it’s a rare opportunity to see a legend’s personal car brought back to life while honoring Arkus-Duntov’s lasting impact on the brand.
