The Spirit Of Zora: 1,250 Miles, 5 Days, & 1 Special 1957 Fuelie Corvette On Its First Mille Miglia

The greatest automotive stories rarely follow a straight road. They begin with an ambitious idea, encounter unexpected setbacks, and ultimately find their defining moment when perseverance triumphs over adversity. That perfectly captures the journey of TEAM ZORA USA and its remarkable 1957 fuel-injected Corvette known as The Spirit of Zora. What began in 2024 as a heartfelt tribute to Corvette’s legendary first Chief Engineer, Zora Arkus-Duntov, has now come full circle, with the team conquering one of the world’s most demanding vintage endurance events. Their dream didn’t simply survive the obstacles thrown in its path—it crossed the finish line after 1,250 grueling miles through Italy.

A Tribute Years In The Making

The Spirit of Zora represents far more than a beautifully restored 1957 Corvette Fuelie. It is the product of passionate enthusiasts determined to celebrate the racing heritage that Zora Arkus-Duntov helped forge. TEAM ZORA USA was originally founded by seasoned road racer Michael Moss and VETTE Magazine founding editor Martyn Schorr, with Ken Kayser and John Cutrone later joining the effort. Together, they envisioned building a Corvette worthy of honoring Zora’s competitive spirit while introducing America’s Sports Car to some of the world’s most prestigious historic endurance events.

The Spirit of Zora cruising through the streets of Italy! Photo provided by Martyn Schorr.

Dreams Delayed, Not Defeated

The road to Italy certainly wasn’t smooth. TEAM ZORA USA originally planned to debut the Spirit of Zora during the 1000 Miglia Warm-Up event in the Washington D.C.-Virginia region in 2024. Unfortunately, severe weather and damage beyond the team’s control forced those plans to be shelved. Instead of tackling rally stages, the Corvette found itself on display inside the Saratoga Automobile Museum—a respectable destination, but certainly not the one its builders had envisioned. Rather than abandoning the mission, the team simply regrouped, repaired, and waited for another opportunity to chase the dream that had inspired the project from the very beginning.

The Ultimate Test Arrives

That opportunity finally came in 2026. With Michael Moss behind the wheel and John Cutrone calling directions from the navigator’s seat, the Spirit of Zora lined up for the legendary 1000 Miglia Storica. The five-day, figure-eight Brescia-Rome-Brescia route covered approximately 1,250 miles and marked the first endurance rally for both Moss and Cutrone. It also represented a milestone for Corvette history, as the iconic American sports car joined one of the world’s most celebrated historic motoring events. Success required much more than simply following the route, as competitors also faced 144 timed trials, relentless summer heat, and the physical challenge of staying alert through marathon driving days.

What a collection of classics! Photo sourced from Team USA-Miglia 2026

Fifteen-Hour Days And An Unbreakable Fuelie

Simply reaching the finish became an achievement few could truly appreciate. Out of 436 entries, TEAM ZORA USA finished 371st, while 50 competitors either never started or failed to complete the demanding event. Moss later summed up the experience perfectly: “Just finishing the race, while operating on three hours of sleep per night and 15 hours of driving per day, was an accomplishment.” He also praised the Corvette’s legendary small-block reliability despite the punishment it endured. “While we did experience some brake and steering issues, the fuel-injected 283 never missed a beat. It was running as smoothly and powerfully at the end of the race as it did when we shipped the car to Italy!” For a nearly 70-year-old Corvette, there may not be a better endorsement than surviving one of the toughest endurance rallies on Earth with its heart still beating strong.

The Spirit of Zora Technical Highlights:

The Basics: 1957 Corvette Fuelie with a 283/283 HP V8, RPO-579C
Transmission: Borg-Warner Close-Ratio T-10 Four-Speed, RPO-685
Rear End: Positraction 3:70:1, RPO-677
Induction: Rochester Ramjet Fuel-Injection
Air Cleaner: 1957 “Sebring” dual filter-element
Cylinder Heads: “539”
Compression Ratio: 10.5:1
Camshaft: Duntov “097” Solid-Lifter .393/.399-inch-lift, 287/287-degree-duration, lightweight valve train
Crankshaft & Rods: Forged Steel
Suspension, Brakes & Steering: HD Racing Components, 16.4:1 Fast Steering, RPO-684
Wheels: 15×5.5-inch Wide Steel w/Small Hubcaps, RPO-276
Tires: Dunlop CR65 Vintage Racing, 600L-15 w/#204 compound
Interior: Column-Mounted 8,000-rpm AC Mechanical Tach (RPO-579D engine option), and Radio Delete Block-Off Plate

From Italy To The National Corvette Museum

The finish line in Brescia wasn’t the final chapter for the Spirit of Zora. After completing its remarkable Mille Miglia adventure, the historic Fuelie will continue telling its story this fall as part of a special Corvette race car exhibit at the National Corvette Museum. It serves as a fitting destination for a machine built not simply to celebrate Corvette history, but to actively add another unforgettable chapter to it. What started as an ambitious tribute has now become part of the legacy it set out to honor.

Relive The Journey, One Moment At A Time

There are plenty of ways to tell the story of the Spirit of Zora, but we wanted to experience it the same way TEAM ZORA USA lived it—one moment, one challenge, and one unforgettable mile at a time. Rather than simply recapping the results, we’re taking you back through the team’s Facebook updates as the 2026 Mille Miglia unfolded in real time. Even if you’ve never logged into Facebook, we’ve gathered the photos, updates, and commentary here so you won’t miss a moment of the adventure. Buckle up as we retrace the highs, the setbacks, and the unforgettable moments that come with piloting a vintage Corvette across 1,250 demanding miles through Italy. This is The Spirit of Zora exactly as its creators experienced it.

A remarkable accomplishment for the Spirit of Zora! Photo provided by Martyn Schorr.

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The Spirit of Zora’s 1,250-Mile Journey

♦ May 2, 2026

From TEAM ZORA USA:

“Bon Voyage! TEAM ZORA USA’s Spirit of Zora ’57 Corvette Fuelie is being prepped for shipping to Italy by RM Motorsports, Wixom, MI, for the 2026 Mille Miglia in June!” Editor’s Note: Click anywhere on the posts to join TEAM ZORA USA.

♦ May 30, 2026

From TEAM ZORA USA:

“TEAM ZORA USA’s Spirit of Zora ’57 Corvette Fuelie has arrived in Brescia, IT, after a flight from JFK Airport, ready for the Mille Miglia. Still has #8 from 1000 Miglia Experience Florida, but will get the official number 454. Owner-Driver Mike Moss and Navigator, Bud Bennett from RM Motorsport, will arrive shortly.”

♦ June 4, 2026

From TEAM ZORA USA:

“Zora would be proud! The TEAM ZORA USA Spirit of Zora, ’57 Corvette Fuelie, with Sarasota Cafe Racers livery, is in its reserved parking space in Brescia, IT, ready for the start of the 2026 Mille Miglia on June 9th. It will carry the MM registration number, 454!”

♦ June 7, 2026

From TEAM ZORA USA:

“AMERICANS IN ITALY: TEAM ZORA USA!
The Spirit of Zora ’57 Corvette Fuelie and Sarasota Café Racers Michael Moss and John Cutrone arrive a week early to participate in Scuderia Sports road & track events before the start of the Mille Miglia on June 9th.”

Photos From The Post

All photos are credited to Team USA-Miglia 2026’s Facebook page.

♦ June 11, 2026

From TEAM ZORA USA:

“2026 Mille Miglia Update, Sarasota Cafe Racers, Team Zora USA. Days 2 & 3, some lighting and steering issues were handled by our on-site techs, flown in from Miami. Mike Moss & John Cutrone, after lunches in Modena & Sienna, en route from Montecatini Terme to Rome for a parade along Via Veneto, later. The Spirit of Zora ’57 FI Corvette is a big crowd-pleaser. When John Cutrone is in Rome, he does like the Romans do when parking on the street for lunch or dinner: He takes the steering wheel with him!!”

Photos From The Post

♦ June 13, 2026

From TEAM ZORA USA:

“2026 MILLE MIGLIA UPDATE, TEAM ZORA USA, Sarasota Café Racers: The fifth and final leg set off this morning at 6.30 am from a sunny Rimini, with the crews ready to return to Brescia, after covering almost 1,250 miles. In the early morning in Rimini, numerous onlookers turned out to see off the start of the most beautiful race in the world. The Spirit of Zora ’57 Corvette Fuelie crossed the finish line, with Michael Moss and John Cutrone receiving their medals. For first-timers driving a vintage Corvette, just finishing is a toast-worthy achievement. While there were some lighting and steering issues, the 283/283 fuel-injected engine never missed a beat. Congratulazioni!”