A 1974 graces the NCM Magazine's Front Cover...whose is it?

[Tom R.]

I had to do a double take on the NCM magazine's cover photo once I realized it was a soft-bumper year model...interesting given this "Year of" is the 1973. A third take noted no rear chrome bumper!

The 1974 is in the museum's collection...but whose is it, or was it?

cover_NCM Magazine320.jpg

[Patrick H.]

Re: A 1974 graces the NCM Magazine's Front Cover...whose is it?

That's Zora's 1974.

[Bill B.]

Re: A 1974 graces the NCM Magazine's Front Cover...whose is it?

Patrick,

Is that the one that he remarked was his favorite touring car? (a quote from one of the publications back then). As I recall, it was a big block w/ automatic?

[Jimmy P.]

Re: A 1974 graces the NCM Magazine's Front Cover...whose is it?

I had to do a double take on the NCM magazine's cover photo once I realized it was a soft-bumper year model...interesting given this "Year of" is the 1973. A third take noted no rear chrome bumper!

The 1974 is in the museum's collection...but whose is it, or was it?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]116707[/ATTACH]

Tom,
Speaking about the year of the '73 and how we can tie it to Zora's '74. Rumor has it, but I believe it is a well know fact that this
74' has the first set, or perhaps one of the first sets of the 1973 YJ8 rejected 329381 cast aluminum wheels on it. If you look closely at the photo below you can see the lug nuts with a recessed center painted black.

[Tom R.]

Re: A 1974 graces the NCM Magazine's Front Cover...whose is it?

Nice work all! i owe you a beverage at French Lick. Here's the rest of the story

This Corvette, currently on display at the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY, was the only Corvette that Zora Arkus-Duntov (the 'Father of the Corvette') ever owned. During his time at GM, he often drove prototypes as part of his job, but upon his retirement he purchased this fully-loaded 1974 Stingray. There were 3,494 big blocks put in Corvettes in 1974 and it is understandable that one would be in Zora's car. Numerous modifications were made to enhance the car's performance. The prototype wheels did not make the Corvette option list until 1976.

Zora had it repainted from its original color green, and naturally made a number of modifications to improve performance. He drove it regularly to Corvette functions until Corvette collector, Les Bieri, offered him $100,000 for it. Zora sold the car to Mr. Bieri in 1989, who kept the car until shortly after Zora's passing in 1996 when he decided to donate the car to the Corvette Museum as a tribute to its original owner.

[Mike M.]

Re: A 1974 graces the NCM Magazine's Front Cover...whose is it?

as I recall, Zora's 74 was donated to the NCM by the infamous NCRS member, Les Bieri, a Virginia resident prior to his passing. Les also was part owner of 53 Vet # 003, along with howard kirsch and John amgwert. Les was a pisser. mike

[Patrick H.]

Re: A 1974 graces the NCM Magazine's Front Cover...whose is it?

This Corvette, currently on display at the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY, was the only Corvette that Zora Arkus-Duntov (the 'Father of the Corvette') ever owned.

I would suggest he had others, or at least one, after this one though it may not have been "owned."
Back in 1989-1990 when I lived near him I often saw him driving a red 1990 convertible with the hardtop. It may have been on loan, or leased, or ?

[Robert R.]

18B837E8-6FBA-483D-BFB3-948D00B93A0C.jpg

[Rick G.]

Re: A 1974 graces the NCM Magazine's Front Cover...whose is it?

as I recall, Zora's 74 was donated to the NCM by the infamous NCRS member, Les Bieri, a Virginia resident prior to his passing. Les also was part owner of 53 Vet # 003, along with howard kirsch and John amgwert. Les was a pisser. mike

Mike, if I recall correctly wasn't Zora's 1974 Corvette gifted to him when he retired? I seem to also recall it was turbo charged. Never knew if GM had it done or Zora.

[Patrick H.]

Re: A 1974 graces the NCM Magazine's Front Cover...whose is it?

Mike, if I recall correctly wasn't Zora's 1974 Corvette gifted to him when he retired? I seem to also recall it was turbo charged. Never knew if GM had it done or Zora.

Not turbo charged.
You're probably thinking of the Duntov Turbo that he did in conjunction with ACI industries in 1980.

https://www.corvsport.com/the-1980-duntov-turbo-corvette/