CORVETTE enthusiasts have the opportunity to get a glimpse at a fully restored 1974 car.
The vintage ride was personally owned by a legendary engineer who once worked for the iconic automaker.
Fans view iconic ride at the National Corvette Museum’s 31st Anniversary bash from August 28–30[/caption]
The car has been under a careful preservation project for years[/caption]
The vintage ride was owned by a former engineer and racer named Zora Arkus-Duntov[/caption]
“This car represents Corvette history in its purest form,” said Robert Maxhimer, Director of Curatorial Affairs and Education at the National Corvette Museum.
“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, the man who turned the Corvette into a world-class performance machine, will be honored at the National Corvette Museum’s 31st Anniversary Celebration.
The legendary “Godfather of the Corvette” received the custom two-tone blue 1974 Stingray as a retirement gift from Chevrolet.
Now, fans can catch the iconic ride at the National Corvette Museum’s 31st Anniversary bash from August 28–30, 2025, as stated on the museum website.
The car’s been under the knife for a meticulous, years-long preservation effort led by the museum’s expert team.
They literally peeled the body off the chassis to clean, restore, and document every last inch — without losing an ounce of its soul.
Even the cracked leather armrest Arkus-Duntov leaned on while cruising was left untouched, a worn-in detail too sacred to replace.
Before becoming a GM legend, he scored back-to-back class wins at Le Mans in 1954 and 1955, driving a Porsche 550 RS Spyder.
His Stingray, while packing a 454 big-block V8, was built more for comfort than speed—with an automatic transmission, air conditioning, and power steering.
His one-of-a-kind 1974 Stingray, packed with a roaring 454 big block engine, power everything, and a custom two-tone blue paint job, is stealing the spotlight.
Originally silver, the car went through a few color phases before landing its signature blue look, courtesy of a surprise paint job from a friend.
Arkus-Duntov’s initials, “ZAD,” were boldly stamped on the doors.
His wife even commemorated the moment with a painting of Arkus-Duntov proudly posing beside the car.
Five steps for restoring a car
Restoring a car can be a massive undertaking. Here’s a simpler way to think about the process as a whole:
- Plan
- This includes setting a budget, preparing a work area, researching parts, and establishing a timeline to get the work done.
- Strip the vehicle
- This involves disassembling the vehicle and assessing the condition of the parts being removed.
- Bodywork
- This means stripping the paint and repairing any rust and dents, followed by repainting.
- Engine restoration
- This involves restoring a car’s power – including engine repairs.
- Rebuild
- After reassembling and detailing the car, all that’s left is to take it for a test drive.
Source: WeatherTech
Despite his racing pedigree, Arkus-Duntov’s personal Corvette was a cruiser—a well-earned reward after decades of pushing performance boundaries.
A “Zora Arkus-Duntov Engineering Center” decal on the rear still whispers his impact on Corvette history.
Now, after a years-long, delicate preservation, the car will be featured at a revamped Corvette Hall of Fame exhibit.
Fans heading to Bowling Green, Kentucky, from August 28–30 will get an up-close look and hear straight from the experts who brought this iconic ride back to life.
The preservation team approached the car with archival care, treating it more like a museum piece than a show car.
It’s a rare glimpse into the personal side of a man who spent his life chasing speed but chose comfort for his final ride.
