2008 Duntov Corvette Grand Sport Continuation

• Believed to be one of two "LightWeight" cars built by the Duntov Motor Company prior to the GM-sanctioned production in 2009 of the official Corvette Grand Sport Continuation cars
• The Certificate of Origin for #1246340 dates it at 17th December 2007
• Powered by the ubiquitous 350ci V8 producing around 425bhp
• Renowned lightweight engineering including chassis, suspension and aerodynamic bodywork
• Finished in the traditional American Racing colours of Ermine White and Guardsman Blue
• Only covered 334 miles. Not UK-registered but supplied on a NOVA

Known as Mr Corvette, Zora Arkus-Duntov is credited as saving the Corvette after General Motors nearly killed it off due to poor sales against the arrival of the Ford Thunderbird in 1955. Carroll Shelby also credited the success of his sixties Cobra race program to GM’s short-sighted lack of support for the 1963 Corvette Grand Sport race program that Duntov had masterminded. The project was regarded as too risky for the conservative GM management believing motorsport didn’t help car sales and consequently it was abandoned, but not before Duntov had squirrelled away five race cars to privateers such as Roger Penske, A J Foyt and Jim Hall. These 1963 Grand Sports were fast with all alloy 377 cu inch engines, revised bodywork and suspension and Mr Shelby thanked his lucky stars. Before the cars went into private hands, GM pulled the 377 cubic inch motors so big-block 427s were used in Nassau when the Corvettes beat the Cobras finishing third and fourth behind two prototypes. The potential was obvious but they never had the chance to challenge or to represent GM at Le Mans and satisfy Zora Arkus-Duntov’s dream of the Sarthe. These revered Grand Sports now command values in excess of $3,000,000

In 2010, the Duntov Motor Company set about producing continuation versions of the 1963 Corvette Grand Sport as per Zora Arkus-Duntov’s original drawings and with GM’s approval. The bodies were laid up from the original moulds used on #002 from 1963 and are millimetre perfect. However, prior to the 2009 Licence from GM, Duntov built two "Lightweight" cars during 2007 using their own moulds and we believe #1246340 is one of those.  As a nod to the original cars, it's finished in the traditional American Racing colours of white with a blue stripe and has only covered 334 miles. The suspension has been upgraded to give a more compliant ride and user friendly characteristics. Discovered by a UK Corvette enthusiast and historic racer, it was subject to divorce proceedings and was purchased directly from a county court. It was shipped to the UK that year and has remained virtually unused as his historic Corvette racer took up all of his time, shelving aspirations to race this sensational chapter of Corvette history. Taxes paid and in fantastic condition.

The backstory to Zora Arkus-Duntov is a truly fascinating read and a little research soon produces compliments from both Porsche and Mercedes of his engineering prowess let alone a winner at Le Mans in the fifties. The brutal iconic styling of these Grand Sports can't but help make your heart skip a beat even before you drive it!