07/02/2023
1968 Development car earliest ZL-1 test car! Great news for C3 Corvette history. I purchased a 1968 Corvette Convertible development car that was used internally for almost 5 years. Engineering internal ID number is listed as a Prototype number on the first production schedule for build date and options. CC to Zora Duntov documents. It is #00007 serial number and built as body in White 427 roadster with hard top and power brakes & Side exhaust body, yes not in production until 1969. I found a number on the passenger firewall when cleaning body underside it has a 2 X
And according to the earliest 68 pretest and prototype cars built many months before production it is 2nd roadster body built or 1st 427 roadster built.
This Development car one of ZAD’s cars was used for high speed and the highest horsepower engines built at the time. It’s appearance changed to a 69 then a 70 then 72 internally before being sold to an employee.
I have been researching all 1968-69-70 Development cars for many years.
I am not aware of another 1968 Development car used so extensively inside R&D and CEC. also having a unique chassis with Duntov modifications done to it. We just located some of the original white paint from the first body in White paint job. The original factory serial id tag and rivets are on the windshield frame, the chassis numbers are intact also. Car was white, Yellow,White then Black with ZL-1 hood still white. Car is under going full restoration at Auxier’s Garage! I have been into Corvettes for over 45 years and have never seen one of these Zora Development cars in real life before this car. First public record is July 14th 1973 of this serial number. My Birthday happens to be on July 14th, this very rare vett found me for a reason. I welcome any knowledge pertaining to Zora’s 1968 427 HD White convertible Development cars, info, pictures, GM employees that worked at the Engineering service garage that worked on this car.
