“I vant one of dez for Corvette!” – Zora Arkus-Duntov
Dateline: 12.24.18: Main photo from Hemmings.com – Okay, that’s probably not an “exact” quote for Duntov, but I’m sure that when he found out how much horsepower and torque the new Mark IV big-block made, he said something to that effect.
The Mark IV big-block engine was intended to be a replacement engine for the W-Series 348/407/427 truck engine. But very quickly in the development phase it was discovered that the engine was a torque monster.
When released in spring of 1965 in the Corvette as the 396/425 L78 for only $292, it was obvious that it was easier to make big horsepower and torque with the new big-block to the more exotic and expensive ($538) L84 Fuelie. The rest is history.
Hemmings Daily just posted an in-depth look into another piece of Corvette history that you can check out, HERE.
To splash their latest in engine development at the New York World’s Fair, Chevrolet had on hand an animated cut-away display of the new engine, plus an animated See-Thur 1965 Corvette Coupe, PLUS a stunning factory custom Corvette.
After all the years of building dynamic Motorama cars, the cut-away 396 big-block, cut-away Corvette, and custom Corvette was a delightful piece of cake for Chevrolet. – Scott
PS – Here’s a rare, in-living color look at the “GM Futurama” at the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair. “The Future” had ARRIVED!
The BIG attraction at the New York World’s Fair was the Futurama Ride. It was a LONG wait to get in!
