When the speculation began years ago about a phenomenal ZORA model coming from Chevrolet to honor the legend of Zora Arkus-Duntov, it was widely presumed the ZORA model would be the top variant, with the highest horsepower and, of course, the largest price tag. That seemed to be the consensus. These speculations held firm as each new C8 variant was introduced, and as we moved through the Z06 and E-Ray reveals, nothing really changed. [Author’s Note: This article is FREE and not behind a paywall. If/when any popups occur, please click to make them disappear and continue enjoying the article.]
When now-retired Executive Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter recently stated which Corvette variant would be the “most expensive” model produced for the eighth-generation Corvette (hint–it’s not the ZORA), a handful of publications reported on it (us included). But when the dust settled and new spy photos and videos of the ZORA started trickling out, most enthusiasts and journalists seemed to have forgotten what Tadge said. Before we revisit his quote, made while doing a YouTube video with Car and Driver, let’s take a moment to remember why Zora Arkus-Duntov is such an important figure for our beloved Corvette.
Profiling Greatness: Zora Arkus-Duntov (Published by CorvSport’s Josh Boyd)
“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. Upon its release, the Corvette rode an initial wave of popularity that died as quickly as it began. By 1954, critics were relatively unamused with the American sports car’s not so sporty performance. At the heart of the Corvette was the “Blue Flame,” an anemic inline-six powerplant that did well to muster 150 horsepower.
