The Spirit of Zora is what happens when passionate, like-minded men get together to pay homage to the racing roots of the grandfather of the Corvette. While Zora Arkus-Duntov needs little introduction, did you know about this little gem of a race car? The men who birthed the Spirit of Zora and call themselves TEAM ZORA USA came together in 2024 to celebrate America’s Sports Car and honor the legacy of Zora Arkus-Duntov. Their creation and quest are quite remarkable. The original founders were Michael Moss and Martyn Schorr, with Ken Kayser and John Cutrone later joining the team. Today’s feature, along with most of CorvSport’s digital content, is FREE and not behind a paywall. When any pop-ups appear, please click to dismiss them and continue enjoying the article.
Initially, the team had hoped to race the Spirit of Zora, a 1957 Corvette Fuelie, in various historic “Mille Miglia” racing events, starting with the 1000 Miglia Warm-Up event in the Washington D.C.-Virginia area last October. Unfortunately, those plans were delayed due to weather events and damages beyond their control. But there is a silver lining, because instead of racing around the track, the Spirit of Zora landed at the Saratoga Automobile Museum.
The museum’s Speed-Style-Legacy, The Corvette Story, highlights notable Corvettes from around the globe and runs until October 26. We’ll be doing a deeper dive into the whole exhibit soon, but now let’s get to know the Spirit of Zora a bit better. Then, we are going to take a journey, and I think you’ll enjoy it.
The Spirit of Zora 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
While there were many ways to walk you through this cool 1957 Corvette Fuelie and the men behind it, we thought it would be interesting to witness their journey as it unfolded on Facebook. And no worries if you are not on the platform, because we pulled the text and photos from each post, so you can enjoy the trip without having to click on the provided links. Now, let’s take a journey through Facebook and get to know “The Spirit of Zora” better, straight from the inspired men who created her.
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The Spirit of Zora’s Social Media Journey
1) August 26, 2024
From TEAM ZORA USA:
“TEAM ZORA USA’s racing historian, ’57 FI Corvette restoration expert, and former GM & Chevy engineer, Ken Kayser with “Sebring air cleaner” assembly that will be installed on the Spirit of Zora ’57 Fuelie’s 283/283 engine.”
2) August 27, 2024
From TEAM ZORA USA:
“SNEAK PEEK @ RM Motorsports, Wixom, MI, with Bud Bennett, Tony Pardo, and the Spirit of Zora ’57 FI Corvette. RPO-579C 283/283 FI engine with “Sebring” dual-filter air cleaner, RPO-684 HD brakes, and RPO-276 5.5-inch wide steel wheels with small hubcaps and Dunlop racing tires. Getting closer to returning to Sarasota, FL for TEAM ZORA USA livery.”
Photos From The Post
3) September 4, 2024
From TEAM ZORA USA:
“Team Zora USA dazzles at Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, story & photos…”
4) September 8, 2024
From TEAM ZORA USA:
“GM PRESIDENT MARK REUSS CHECKS OUT TEAM ZORA USA CORVETTE! Corvette historic racer Jake Angel blogs about sharing a common interest when he and Mark Reuss talk about racing a vintage Corvette at the Monterey Historics.”
5) September 11, 2024
From TEAM ZORA USA:
“The Spirit of Zora, a work in progress. Fuel-injected ’57 Corvette, TEAM ZORA USA’s entry in 1000 Miglia events in USA ( 2024 warm-Up, Virginia) and Italy (2025 Mille Miglia), business office with AC 8,000 rpm tach and radio block-off plate!”
6) September 16, 2024
From TEAM ZORA USA:
“TEAM ZORA USA & Spirit of Zora ’57 Fuelie “backstory” was covered in a video interview I did on Motor Mouth Radio with those car-crazy guys, Ray & Chris yesterday. Everything you’ve always wanted to know, including what Zora Arkus-Duntov had for lunch when he visited GM’s Tonawanda, NY engine plant while ZL1 blocks were being machined in 1969!
If you have some time, check it out at https://youtu.be/FDfUmYbh_-Q“
Photos From The Post
7) December 24, 2024
From TEAM ZORA USA:
“2025 MILLE MIGLIA INTERRUPTUS!
Sadly, TEAM ZORA USA, Sarasota, FL, has been forced to postpone entry in the 2025 Bescia-Rome-Brescia 1000 Miglia Regularity Race (Mille Miglia Storica) for one year. To participate in the Mille Miglia Storica in Italy, it is mandatory to first compete in one of the many 1000 Miglia events worldwide. The Team’s 1957 Fuel Injection Corvette, was prepared by RM Motorsport, Wixom, MI in time to compete in the 1000 Miglia Warm-Up event in the Washington DC-Virginia area. Team Zora USA was registered to run in the Warm-Up on October 22-27, 2024. Unfortunately, that was not possible.
Mother Nature plays by her own rules, and unleashed multiple hurricanes – Helene (Category 4, Late-September) & Milton (Category 3, October 19th) on Florida’s west coast, inflicting unprecedented damage in Sarasota and its barrier islands. Team Zora USA principal and owner-driver of the ’57 FI Corvette, Michael Moss, and wife Ellen’s home is on Siesta Key, one of Sarasota’s barrier islands. It was the one hardest hit. Their home received massive interior and exterior damage. A surge of more than three feet of toxic (Red Tide) saltwater flooded its garage, destroying the ex-Peter Revson Can-Am Lola T163, brand new Maserati MC20, new Volvo SUV with approximately 100 miles on its odometer, and a neighbor’s vintage Mercedes! The Mille Miglia ’57 Corvette was safely stored at RM Motorsports.
It was virtually impossible for Mike to participate in the Warm-Up three days after Milton made landfall in Siesta Key. Contact with the toxic water surge left him in the hospital fighting infections. He is currently on the mend.
Team Zora USA is now focusing on running one event in the USA in 2025, and the Mille Miglia Storica in Italy in 2026. Stay tuned for updates. Marty Schorr, Team Zora USA Chief Communications Officer.”
8) February 22, 2025
From TEAM ZORA USA:
“SUNDAY!! TEAM ZORA USA will be displaying our fuel-injected, big-brake ’57 Corvette tomorrow, February 23rd at the 1000 MIGLIA Experience Florida “stop & stamp” event in Centennial Park, Venice, Florida, hosted by the local AACA Chapter club.
1000 MIGLIA EXPERIENCE FLORIDA! From tomorrow until 25 February, 70 teams will cross South Florida in 3 legs. Three classes into which the cars are divided: from the design masterpieces eligible for the Most Beautiful Race in the World (1927-1957), to the Classic Icons (1958-1994), to the more modern Supercars and Hypercars.
After this first day dedicated to the training day and the technical and administrative checks, the first leg of the race will start tomorrow, taking the 140 participants from Coral Gables, along the historic U.S. Route 41, through the Everglades and the wild Big Cypress Nature Reserve, all the way to Naples. From here, the route will continue to Tampa, passing through Fort Myers, Venice, and St. Petersburg, cities rich in charm and history.
In the second leg, the route will return to the southeastern coast of Florida, passing through Cape Canaveral, before starting the descent to the finish line in West Palm Beach. In the last leg, the transit through the symbolic places of the City will be a prelude to the final arrival in Miami Beach.”
Photos From The Post
9) May 3, 2025
From TEAM ZORA USA:
“CORVETTES ON THE CIRCLE, St. Armands, Sarasota, FL. Random shots while spending the day with my Sarasota Cafe Racers and TEAM ZORA USA friends. The annual show, which has 175 cars, is sponsored by the local Skyway Corvette Club. TEAM ZORA USA’s Mike Moss took home some show gold for the ’57 FI Corvette, not prepared for show, but for 2026 Mille Miglia in Italy.”
Photos From The Post
10) May 3, 2025
From TEAM ZORA USA:
“TEAM ZORA USA ’57 FI Corvette also took the Club Favorite award, in addition to Third in C1 Class. Not a bad day’s haul!”
11) May 4, 2025
From TEAM ZORA USA:
“The Devil is in the Details! Full story on Team Zora USA’s four knuckleheads, ’57 FI Corvette with all its RPOs, Mille Miglia and photos @ CarGuyChronicles.”
Photos From The Post
12) June 8, 2025
From TEAM ZORA USA:
“The TEAM ZORA USA (Mike Moss, Marty Schorr, Ken Kayser & John Cutrone) Spirit of Zora ’57 FI Corvette, replete with Sarasota Café Racers livery, is on display in The Corvette Story, Speed-Style-Legacy exhibit at the Saratoga (NY) Automobile Museum. It’s sharing space with rare production Corvettes, one of the five Grand Sports, iconic racecars, and legendary Concept Corvettes from GM’s Heritage Collection. The Spirit of Zora will participate in the 2026 Mille Miglia in Italy.”
13) September 12, 2025
From TEAM ZORA USA:
“CONSUMMATE CORVETTE CLASSIC. “Toward An American Classic … The 1957 Corvette With Fuel Injection!” Zora Arkus-Duntov was instrumental in the first Corvette becoming the Poster Car for a factory-built, production two-seater, evolving into a racecar, and ultimately becoming America’s Sports Car. TEAM ZORA USA’s Spirit of Zora Corvette honors the legacy of the Corvette’s Godfather, and celebrates America’s Sports Car. Owned & driven by Mike Moss, it will be going to Italy in 2026 to compete in the Mille Miglia! It’s currently on display until October in the Saratoga (NY) Auto Museum.”
Photos From The Post
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