The man known as the “Godfather of the Corvette” was never CEO, President, or executive of any type really at the General Motors corporation. Zora Arkus-Duntov’s highest rank on the GM hierarchy was the seemingly humble title of Corvette Chief Engineer, but his role in ensuring the success of what is arguably the most recognizable car in the General’s global fleet, cannot be understated.
Yet for all the accolades he received in the decades following the Corvette’s sales success, Arkus-Duntov spent the last of his days living in a fairly humble home in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. Bring-A-Trailer reports that the Arkus-Duntov home has hit the market with an asking price of $299,000. While perhaps not worth listing on Michigan’s historical registry, it is still a cool piece of Corvette history, as well as having a distinct style that stands out from the rest of the neighborhood.
It isn’t hard to imagine the guests Arkus-Duntov may have hosted, or the experimental Corvettes he may have driven to this very home. The 2,714 sq-ft home has three bedrooms and two baths, and it last sold for a meager $125,000, yet somehow it still survived the housing crisis that has consumed so much of Detroit and the neighboring areas.
The Spanish-style home has a stunning winding staircase and oval sitting room where we can imagine the Godfather of the Corvette schmoozing with GM bigwigs. Sure, it’s not the kind of collectible people usually talk about in the auto industry, but for a big fan of Corvettes with deep pockets looking for a home just outside the Motor City, this is the buy of a lifetime.
Let’s hope that whoever buys at the very least can appreciate what Zora Arkus-Duntov did for the American sports car scene.