By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of General Motors Heritage Archives
Published 6.18.2025
Zora Arkus-Duntov speaking to GM engineers
Zora Arkus-Duntov’s (December 25, 1909 - April 21, 1996) career cemented him as a lover of the sports car. Many automotive historians have dubbed him, “Mr. Corvette,“ since he was instrumental in making the General Motors’ sports car a true icon. Duntov is best known for his engineering work at GM, especially regarding numerous generations of the Corvette.
Zora Arkus-Duntov standing with a Corvette model
In the beginning, the development team for the Chevrolet Corvette included GM design chief Harley Earl along with Bill Mitchell, Edward N. Cole, Larry Shinodo, body engineer Vincent Kaptursr, draftsman Carl Peebles, clay modeler Bill Bloch, Tony Balthasar, engineer Robert McLean, designer Bob Cadaret, and many other GM designers and engineers.
Zora Arkus-Duntov sitting with a 1960s Corvette
In May 1953, Zora Arkus-Duntov was hired by General Motors and became an assistant staff engineer. GM said that Arkus-Duntov was a well-educated engineer with remarkably varied experience in the design, testing and driving of sports and racing cars. Arkus-Duntov had seen the Corvette at the Motorama show and called Ed Cole directly about working at GM. This is how his relationship with GM started.
Zora Arkus-Duntov standing with a 1960s Corvette
At the beginning of his GM career, Arkus-Duntov found the first engineering prototype of the Corvette. In 1955, Arkus-Duntov made automotive history when he helped introduce the small-block V8 engine to the Corvette. In 1957, he became Director of High Performance vehicles in the Chevrolet Department.
Arkus-Duntov also helped develop his famous high-lift camshaft and brought fuel injection to the Corvette. In 1957, he received credit for introducing the first mass-produced American car with four-wheel disc brakes, which became very popular worldwide. Arkus-Duntov was truly an automotive engineering genius and helped GM advance the Chevrolet line.
Zora Arkus-Duntov with a 1966 Chevrolet Corvette
In 1961, Semon “Bunkie” Knudsen replaced Ed Cole as head of Chevrolet. In an interview, Arkus-Duntov once said this about his engineering work: “I am not a stylist, but I am not shy. I made my feelings known, and I am sure I caused Bill Mitchell many headaches.”
Arkus-Duntov was also asked which Corvette model was his favorite. His response? “The chassis of the 1963 Corvette was mine, so I favor that. But the engine was good already in 1957. My personal car is a 1974 Corvette model, a 454 Corvette; but I think if I had to select one car it would be a 1965 Corvette with fuel injection. This is the most refined Corvette ever built.”
Zora Arkus-Duntov with another Corvette
Throughout his automotive career, Arkus-Duntov inspired many of his GM team members. He got your emotions involved and then commitment followed. Some automotive historians have reported that Arkus-Duntov managed to bootleg more automotive programs through Chevrolet than any other engineer.
Zora Arkus-Duntov with a high performance engine
In 1967, GM gave Arkus-Duntov the Chief Engineer title over Corvette. By the time he retired in 1975 due to health problems, he helped make the Corvette a world class sports car. When he first joined GM, the automotive industry was changing dramatically with tail fins and more powerful engines.
Zora Arkus-Duntov on the cover of Jerry Burton's book. (Jerry Burton)
On April 21, 1996, the automotive industry lost a great pioneer of the Chevrolet engine. Zora Arkus-Duntov’s automotive engineering legacy will always be remembered by enthusiasts and fans around the world for many years to come.
Ludvigsen, Karl. “Corvette, America’s Star-Spangled Sports Car: The Complete History.” Automobile Quarterly Publications, 1974.
The Editors of Consumer Guide. “Corvette: America’s Only True Sports Car.” Winter, 1979.
Burton, Jerry. “Zora Arkus Duntov: the Legend behind Corvette.” Robert Bentley INC., 2003.
Sherman, Don. “The Story of Zora Arkus Duntov, the Bad-Ass who made the Corvette an Icon.” Car and Driver, October 31, 2014.
