GM Trademarks 'Zora' Name, May Hint At Special Corvette

Posted By Antony Ingram  

@ MOTOR AUTHORITY           

 

 

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible, 2014 New York Auto Show

 

 

If the name Zora means anything to you, you're probably a fan of Chevrolet's. Corvette. Zora Arkus-Duntov was the guy who helped put a V-8 engine in the first-generation 'Vette, turning it from boulevard cruiser into something approximating a proper sports car--and further worked his magic on the Grand Sport program that took the Corvette C2 racing.

Interestingly, reports Autoblog (via GM Authority) GM has recently trademarked the name 'Zora'. Companies often do such things to protect parts of their history, but GM's reservation of the name specifically concerns "motor land vehicles, namely, automobiles.". In other words, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that Chevy will attach that name to a Corvette--one honoring the man himself, or a special performance model.

Nothing is set in stone just yet and, as Autoblog points out, it might be years before such a model appears. GM's spokesman says he doesn't know anything about using the Zora name, and aside from the upcoming Corvette Z06 and its corresponding convertible., we're not aware of any performance models on the way soon. But if such a thing is in the pipeline, it'll be a nice nod to someone instrumental in the history of one of America's best-loved vehicles.