Bott was impressed with the controlled conditions and measurability of Duntov’s methodology, and he tried different toe-in and rear-wheel camber settings, as well as an antiroll torsion bar connecting the front wheels that also helped reduce oversteer. RARE 1971 CORVETTE Zora Arkus-Duntov Chevrolet 1:32 Model Car Diecast Detailed.
See all 21 photos. The corporation was still riding the crest of a postwar demand for cars and trucks, and racing was not part of its immediate business plan. “And 1955 Porsche, all Porsche, has a front stabilizer.”. Zora Arkus-Duntov, here with the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray, he helped engineered. Zora Arkus-Duntov’s influence on the Corvette also extended to auto racing. Elfi Arkus-Duntov The First Lady of the Corvette 1915 — 2008 .
Duntov, of course, would have been more than happy to race for his own employer at Le Mans or anywhere else, but no such driving opportunities existed at GM in the early 1950s. At Zuffenhausen, Duntov suggested they find an area wide enough to create a skid pad, and such a surface was found at nearby Malsheim airport. Photos courtesy of Mid America Motorworks It was not a case of a fascinating car making a man famous.
Tadge Juechter: The Modern Age’s Zora Arkus-Duntov Juechter helped lead Corvette out of the darkness before being named to the top job in 2006. Learn how your comment data is processed. Duntov had worked for Allard in London for several years in the late 1940s, and that connection resulted in an offer to drive for him. While his time at the draft board has forever drawn to a close, Arkus-Duntov’s legacy only continues to grow. There were other times when Duntov might have been persuaded to join Porsche had the right position been offered. At the heart of the Corvette was the “Blue Flame,” an anemic inline-six powerplant that did well to muster 150 horsepower.The public’s relative disinterest came as little surprise to then assistant staff engineer, Zora Arkus-Duntov. A comprehensive and growing reference library that encompasses everything about these cars: from in-depth overviews and extensive technical info on each model year. Tumblr is a place to express yourself, discover yourself, and bond over the stuff you love. Zora Arkus-Duntov -The Legend Behind Corvette (Chevrolet), by John Gunnell Giving credit to the man who many consider the reason for the Corvette’s long lasting success. Dr. Porsche then asked Bott to begin the same work with the new race car, and Duntov claimed he knocked 30 seconds off its lap time at the 14-mile Nürburgring track.
Thinking he knew how to compensate for this phenomenon, Duntov told Ferry Porsche that he’d like to discuss the issue during his prearranged visit to the Porsche engineering facility at Zuffenhausen. Zora clearly thought that a bigger opportunity existed at General Motors, which rapidly became the largest corporation on the planet. Upon its release, the Corvette rode an initial wave of popularity that died as quickly as it began. The Porsche opportunity was more warmly received by GM management based on better timing, if nothing else. GM Canada Raises Over $400,000 with Charity Auction for Corvettes, 2020 Corvette Production Surpassed 15,000, Oliver Gavin Stepping Down From Full-Time Racing, Ares Reveals the C8 Based S1 Project Spyder, GM Issues a Technical Service Bulletin for the Incorrect Radio Label on the 2020 Corvette, New Carbon Fiber Accessories are Coming for the 2021 Corvette, List & Sell Your Corvette on CorvSport.com. Your email address will not be published. Jun 12, 2020 - FATHER OF THE VETTE. The Astro II bore a striking resemblance to the Corvette, yet featured a true mid-engine layout. Even though Duntov elected to stay at GM, he corresponded with Bott, von Hanstein, and Ferry Porsche himself for many years afterward, becoming particularly close with von Hanstein. Jerry Burton is the author of Zora Arkus-Duntov, the Legend Behind Corvette, Bentley Publishers, Cambridge, Mass., 2002. See more ideas about Zora, Vette, Corvette. Your email address will not be published. Driving in a steady rhythm around the 8.3-mile circuit, Duntov learned that there were advantages to having less power. For those members who wish to support the C8 Corvette Forums, we have 3 different levels of membership. Promoted by GM to Director of High-Performance vehicles in 1957, Duntov wasted no time getting down to business. After all, Duntov had pointed out the Corvette’s less than impressive performance attributes a year earlier, in the very letter to Chevrolet Chief Engineer, Ed Cole, that left a sizable enough impression to warrant his immediate hiring.It should likely have come as no surprise then that Duntov would go on to pen a second memo only two years later, titled “Thoughts Pertaining to Youth, Hot Rodders, and Chevrolet.”In this memo, Duntov outlined his ideology that the Corvette must exude performance appeal, in order to find favor with consumers of a younger age demographic.
Upon its release, the Corvette rode an initial wave of popularity that died as quickly as it began. (He DNF’d both years with mechanical problems.). The fuel tank was located over the front wheels, so with a full tank the front-to-rear weight distribution was 49/51; when empty, it was 45/55.
After several months of development, Bott tested Duntov’s stabilizer bar design on a Porsche 356 road car, and the car showed marked improvement.
He already had what he really wanted—the visibility and respect of the entire Porsche organization. Even during the Corvette’s highest of highs, Duntov was never quite satisfied. But Duntov politely declined. By continuing to use this site you agree to these cookies.
This addition has more often than not, been cited as the Corvette’s saving grace.
He also took many risks to establish Corvette’s racing pedigree during a time when GM was officially not involved in motorsports. He won his class again, but the event was marred by the greatest disaster in motorsport history when the Mercedes of Pierre Levegh came in contact with Lance Macklin’s Austin-Healey and veered into the stands, killing 80 people.
Zora had an idea about a front stabilizer bar to help cure the oversteering problem. Did he plan to use it as a testbed for exotic materials? “There was a time that he wanted to become chief technician for Porsche,” said Antole Lapine, a friend and design staff contemporary of Duntov’s at GM who later went on to become design director at Porsche.
Duntov’s vision and unwavering devotion to perfection has shaped the Corvette into the indisputable king of American performance that it is today. However, after only an hour and a half, the Duntov/Gendebien 550 had lapped the remaining 1.1-liter cars at least once. While Corvsport.com makes every effort to ensure that this information is complete and accurate, you should always consult the manufacturer of your vehicle if you have a specific issue or question. Duntov and co-driver August Veuillet went on to claim a bittersweet victory, but from that moment forward, all of Zora’s driving exploits were behind the wheel of a Chevrolet.]. or Best Offer. Porsche even offered him a new 356 as a goodwill gesture. When you hear the sound of a raspy flat six in a Porsche 911, it’s likely you don’t think of Zora Arkus-Duntov. After all, he’s Mr. Corvette. Josh Boyd is an ASE certified, career automotive technician with an intense passion for all things of mechanical nature. Duntov had a golden opportunity to join Porsche in the mid 1950s after distinguishing himself with two class wins at Le Mans while driving for Porsche. C8 Forums Supporting Memberships. Top Chevrolet brass took note, and the Corvette became the benefactor of an optional 195 horsepower 265 cubic-inch, small-block V8. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. He resides with his wife and children in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the home of the Corvette. Our newsletter delivers all the Corvette news, rumors, deals and events directly to you each week. Many of these early concepts experienced varying degrees of competitive success.
1955 Corvette & Zora Duntov's wife, Elfi.
One never to be reluctant, Duntov’s level of self-confidence in the area of continual design and development, pushed America’s sports car past the realm of conformity, and into untouched frontiers.Aside from pioneering the Corvette’s transition to small-block V8 power, Duntov’s name is tied to a list of engineering accolades that are as broad in scope, as they are far-reaching. Porsche’s 1954 effort was to feature four 550 Spyders.
Throughout his 22-year employment with GM, Arkus-Duntov was as decisive a developmental force as the Corvette world has ever seen. Though it is certainly difficult to imagine today, some 65 years ago, the Corvette was well on its way to being discontinued after only two years of production. Though it is certainly difficult to imagine today, some 65 years ago, the Corvette was well on its way to being discontinued after only two years of production. Cole felt that GM could learn a lot from Porsche in terms of air-cooled engines and rear swing axles, as the company was experimenting with rear-engine, air-cooled cars long before the Corvair surfaced in 1960. However, GM’s official stance reasoned that there was no need to make any significant changes to the Corvette, as its sales had continued to reach staggering levels in its current form.This did not stop Duntov from building several mid-engine prototypes, of which the Astro II (XP-880) was the first. Duntov and co-driver August Veuillet went on to claim a bittersweet victory, but from that moment forward, all of Zora’s driving exploits were behind the wheel of a Chevrolet.]
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