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TC member #1415 Gold
This car was purchased new by Zora Arkus - Duntov on December the 17th, 1971. It was purchased through Penske Chevrolet in Southfield, Michigan. It was actually delivered to the tech center in Warren, Michigan as documented by the original warranty book.Zora Duntov was the original chief engineer for the Chevrolet Corvette. He joined General Motors in 1953 after the New York Motorama. He retired in 1975. He owned this car until November of 1993. He died April the 21st of 1996. My birthday !
This particular Chevelle is unique in several ways. It is a Malibu 400 2dr hardtop. 402 Big Block V8, posi traction rear end, bucket seats, console with automatic transmission, tilt steering. AM-FM radio, air conditioning, power door locks and a couple of custom touches added by Mr. Duntov. The car is equipped with vintage Corvette aluminum wheels, a Corvette brake pedal from the mid 80's vintage and his wife's initials on both doors. A tradition among GM execs for their wives. This car was used as a daily driver by Mrs. Duntov until 1993. Today it has 65000 miles.
During a conversation with her shortly after I purchased the car, she recalled an incident involving the first set of Corvette aluminum wheels Zora put on the car. Her and Zora returned home from an engagement one evening to find the Chevelle on blocks ! Someone had stolen Zora's wheels !! They were never recovered and another set was added right away. They remain on the car today. Mr. Duntov was pictured numerous times smoking his favorite brand of Camel cigarettes, to this day, there is a package of his Camels in the center console.
This car was treated to a full restoration sometime in the mid 90's, and it was displayed in the National Corvette Museum for their Grand Opening, on Labor Day in 1994. The car was re- united with the Duntovs that day and they signed the car in numerous places on the body and under the hood. The signatures remain today as well.
Some of the car's history is a little sketchy through that period, but it passed through a couple of owners until I stumbled across it at a collector car auction in Auburn, Indiana in 1998. I had to have the car !!, and with a little persuasion from my friends, I took the plunge, and bought it. As a lifetime Corvette fan, and being the Corvette specialist for one of the largest Corvette dealers in the country, I couldn't let this car get away !
This car is heavily documented with the original POP, original title in Duntov's name, service repair bills, insurance cards, receipts for original purchase from Penske Chevrolet, and best of all, a picture of the Duntovs with the car in their driveway.
It's been a great car to have in my collection, and I hope you all will enjoy reading about it. If anyone has any questions or would just like to talk about the car, please feel free to contact me at my office at 800-688-2837 or email me: tom at budschevy.com
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