Zora Arkus-Duntov's last public interview

He put the 'Z' in the Corvette Z06, he was a legend in the automotive industry. See now his last public interview.
Because he and I are products of the College of Engineering at the University of Texas, although at different times, Harold Bettes and I had a common academic background and friendship. After a highly productive stint at a little (at the time) fledgling company named MSD ignitions while I was toiling at Edelbrock, he moved on to another evolving organization in Colorado Springs, Colorado, named the Superflow Corporation.
It was here that he birthed the concept of annually bringing together a hundred or more persons in global motorsports (engine builders, parts manufacturers and related stakeholders) into an activity that grew much larger over time, bearing the name Advanced Engine Technology Conferences (AETCs), now sponsored by COMP Cams and a part of the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show in Orlando, Florida. Harold also formed a Hall of Fame segment in the AETC program. Each year, a single person was identified as having made major career contributions to motorsports and honored at the annual AETC banquet, culminating each year's conferences. No, this column isn't about Harold, but that's the stage on which the following unfolded.
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[@ellobo1326]

I have a C8 ordered. I will silently thank Zora every time I start the engine !

[@karamlevi]

Good man, your setting the right tone for me to follow. I’m hunting for the c-8 Zora. Gratitude 🙏🏽

[@nomad74777]

I love Zora and the Corvette. I hate that he had to grow old. Time gets us all. Thank you Zora for your contributions.

[@anydaynow01]

I'm glad GM eventually saw things his way, the C8 Z06 is a world beater, if only GM listened to him 60 years ago!

[@rct303]

The Corvette would have died in 55' if not for the persistence and vision of this man. For every improvement made through the years, Duntov had to fight incompetent upper management tooth and nail, sometimes risking his job in bravely pursuing his vision. .As great as the corvette was, it could have been far better with smarter executives at GM. I drive my Z06 today, thanks to this man's courage. Thankyou Mr .Duntov for your conviction.

[@erickrosin97]

Might sound weird, but that brought a tear to my eyes. A true racing legend.

[@Z06Ronald]

Zora is a legend ...

[@extramile150]

the best of car minds -- high performance, the Corvette Grand Sports, Duntov small block power, cams, etc. and insight as to what real performance was---and to this day still is.

[@scottster427]

If Zora Arkus-Duntov had not INSISTED that Corvettes race, the Corvette never would have survived the '70s. Every time a Corvette owner enjoys a blast in their VEtte, they should say a silent "Thank you!" for Zora! Duntov already had a very strong accent before he suffered a stroke in 1969 that left his speech even harder to understand. If you are a Duntov fan, you MUST READ Jerry Burton's book, "Zora Arkus-Duntov - The Legend Behind Corvette." You won't be able to put it down!

[@mikeskidmore6754]

He was Russian .. They mentioned he was living in the UK in this Interview ..

[@aaronvector4750]

True. And if Zora didn't come in and make the corvette what the corvette was, the Corvette wouldn't have survived the 50s either.

[@chemicalspore]

Zora, your dream has finally come true. The only sad thing is, you are not here to see it. They Call it, the C8 Mid enging Corvette Stingray.

[@SIMKINETICS]

In '53, my dad was a production supervisor at GM. GM gave its local employees an exclusive preview of the Motorama in Grand Rapids where we lived, so we went and I saw the new Corvette before most people. I was one very excited five-year-old, and even got to drive a battery-powered scale model of the Vette! My mom gave me my very first speeding ticket... she wasn't pleased with the way I sped away in the crowd! Years later, I learned about Zora Arkus-Duntov's role in bringing the Corvette to the market, and I asked my dad if he knew him. It turned out that my dad's team of production engineers worked on projects for Zora, so I asked my dad what he was like. My dad had nothing but high praise for Zora as a person & as an engineer, a pleasure to work with him.

[@brunomelisr]

This is THE story, thanks for share it!!

[@thecoochmon112]

I actually got to meet Mr. Duntov at a Corvette show in the 90's @ Malcom Konners Chevrolet dealership in Paramus NJ he was really nice but my FAVORITE part about meeting him, was you had to wait in line to meet/talk or take a picture or get a autograph with Zora. So the guy in front of me was a really obnoxious kind of guy bragging about his Vette he trailered to the show how it has hardly any miles on it. So when it was his turn to meet Zora, he tells him about his garaged/trailer queen Vette....... well needless to say Zora wasn't so impressed and told him that's not wgat cars are meant to do.......... well I busted out laughing, then finally it was my turn to meet the Man...... I told hiI i actually drive my Corvette,he chuckled and had him sign my fuse box cover from vette, great memory.

[@morislaguerta4415]

Did you by any chance wonder why that unimaginative and unscrupulous Rusky Jew had such an abhorrent grasp of English despite having lived in the USA for decades?

[@bodarville2510]

@@morislaguerta4415 WTH?

[@V8_screw_electric_cars]

lmao would said the same never get those ppl that don't drive their cars if it's got wheels they're made to be rotating.

[@Motown454]

An automotive genius!

[@rollingstopp]

i think i need to see a interview of zora when he was younger

[@mustangjohhny]

great engineer. legend

[@YuTbCensorship]

I was introduced to Zora and his Wife years ago in a Bar/Restaurant in Carlisle PA. He was in town for the annual Corvettes of Carlisle. He and his Wife were the guests of the Millers(Bill) who run Carlisle.

[@mikeskidmore6754]

In about 1963 Duntov had a Project to build Cobra Killers The Gran Sport Corvette .. He was doing it in secret but the Top Level GM found out and pulled the Plug after only 5 of them were built.. and yes they did beat Cobra's those 5 did.

[@darrellsomers5427]

1963

[@shaketheroad]

Awesome video

[@anydaynow01]

The C8 in all it's world beating iterations is proof GM should have listened to Zora Arkus-Duntov's plea and expert advice 60 years ago!

[@DANTHETUBEMAN]

🤠 327 with a Duntov 30/30 cam thats .030 lash gap on all lifter's, 4 carb barrel, headers, it will still go well to this day.

[@darrellsomers5427]

Jim was a Chevy hero hes self

[@spactick]

I didn't know Bernie Sanders worked for GM prior to his career in politics. the guys amazing

[@Mach5Johnny]

Such a crying shame that Zora never got the recognition that Shelby got… well GM is gonna GM by listening to their big wigs instead of their fanbase!

[@Bac9IBacuJIbeB]

Чувствуется что он думал на русском и в семье говорил тоже русском))) Very strong russian accent. He think and spoke on russian with his family

[@V8_screw_electric_cars]

Yes you can tell he's struggling.

[@mikeskidmore6754]

It's a shame that Zoros was addicted to cancer sticks .. I did not know that he raced on the Lemans twice.. Seems being a race car driver adds more credibility .. to an Engineers resume .. Today GM is giving away all of their high tech manufacturing techniques to China.. and their new Priority is self driving cars and electric cars..

[@karamlevi]

Negative on smokes?? Nothing compared to sugar… the dis-eases that spark from sugar are numerous and are not accurately communicated in mainstream just like smokes 💨 had the big smoke screen for decades by all officials and doctors 🥼 and institutions recommended them at one point… Study sugar and you’ll learn about everything pertinent. Also sugar is a start tool for bigger things like the other dangerous white powders that are illegal. Remember ☝️, every said your crazy if you thoughts smokes were bad, and it would make you a outcast in most company for many decades. Pharma would loose big doe if you drop sugar as a habit. It’s the habit that makes things dangerous, not the 1X -2X a month usage for enjoyment. The habit. That’s the danger. The dosage. So eat your ice cream… but don’t lie to yourself that “it’s not that bad”… if 1-2X a month? Your fine. Be Well 🫶🏽

[@mikeskidmore6754]

@@karamlevi Sugar ?? Corn Syrup is more dangerous as are many chemical sugar substitutes.. i use some Brown sugar and try not to buy any sweets that have sugar in . I suppose that ice cream has far more sugar and corn syrup in it than most people realize.. It's corn Syrup that has cased so much obesity ..

[@getinit56]

I love GM, but I can see why Shelby wanted to kick his ass now.

[@montanasnowman3138]

Russian created the greatest American sports car

[@dejavu6475]

Tesla needs to enter into nascar

[@V8_screw_electric_cars]

Screw tesla electric piece of shit they're slow and useless all hype no go.

[@Magnus055]

Please 😆

[@rockets4kids]

I'm sure they will when NASCAR switches over to an EV spec. We should start a pool on what year NASCAR will adopt that EV spec...