It has become popular legend and lore that Zora Arkus-Duntov is the father
of the Corvette. Maybe not the original father who fathered it, but definitely
the one who raised it and gave it life. When Chevy was ready to dump it due to
incredibly small sales numbers, and especially when compared to the two seater
Thunderbird, it was Zora who through racing breathed life into it, and it has
become the legendary ride it is today. But many do not know of Zora’s
association with Ford, not so much the motor company as the flathead V-8.
Mention Ardun heads among any flathead admirer and they know of what you speak,
for it was his heads that boosted performance, and the impetus to later give the
Corvette a new life. But aside from the many performance ideas he gave us
through the Corvette, one simple philosophy is often overlooked. And one that
inspires greatness in the face of adversity. Which is the difference between
finishing first and not finishing at all.
In the sixties when an informal ban was placed on factory racing, many
privateers were helped through dealers, with parts and input from people like
Zora. But without factory backing, aka a budget, very little would get done.
He had to find a way to get more from less, and still win. What he did was put
a GM part number on specialized parts, ones that were only available to factory
teams, and made them available through dealers. Anyone could go to a dealer and
order the part, a racing part, and fund Zora’s effort without the factory
knowing of it. Plus it gave many club members and privateers an access to other
wise forbidden fruit. Zora found that when he was forced to do more with less,
he succeeded. Big budgets were nice, but when he had to work smarter rather
than harder, with creativity added in they found success in ways they never
expected. And racing being about winning, won more races.
In 1964, John Z. DeLorean sidestepped a GM mandate about engine size in
certain models of cars, and rather than making the GTO a model, made it an
option. And today we have the original muscle car, the GTO, which evolved into
its own model because John saw a way around the rules. A big motor in a small
body meant higher performance, and it gave way to Super Sport Chevelles, Gran
Sport Buicks, Olds 442, and GTX’s, Road Runners, Fairlanes and Torinos. All
because John thought outside the box, and didn’t let the rules dictate his
success. Like Zora, he saw the opportunity, and made something out of it.
Which DeLorean carried on after going to Chevy, when still a ban on 10 pounds
per cubic inch dictated the largest engine allowed, he advertised the 402 as a
396, and the SS396 was born. So if you hear about the 402 in certain SS models,
they mean a 396. Just don’t get me started on Ford’s 427, 428, 429 engines,
none of the numbers match the sizes. Thinking outside the box has a definite
effect on what is under the hood.
It has been said the epitaph for today’s church is “we’ve never done it
this way before.” Too busy building in numbers, then buildings, programs, run
by procedures, and financed by budgets, it has gotten far away from Acts 2:42 as
it can. Once the church saw a need and the members met it, by the spirit
guiding, today we have youth groups selling products to raise money, special
offerings, and those who professionally raise money for church projects under
the guise of missions. How many ask for money telling you without it they will
fail? And they are to be trusted telling people to trust God? When they don’t
even do it themselves. A few years back I talked with a well known and popular
man on the radio about ministry. His first world of advice was about finances,
and when I told him what God had shown me, he got upset. Seems scripture in
truth without the aid of society just wasn’t enough for him, he was so used to
programs and finances, he neglected the spirit in his equation. Where God
guides he provides, Jesus even told the disciples to just take with them what is
in their pockets, he would provide. No special offering for Peter, or spend a
day with Paul for only $99.98. I never heard of an offering basket at the exit
when 5000 were fed, or Jesus charging for a speaking engagement, or a book
signing tour. Yet money has taken the place of security, bringing insecurity
when taking the place of spiritual guidance. And we all can become victims in
our daily walk.
How many work smart, using all the abilities God has given, instead of
going on a fiscal crusade? I was surprised when working at Mercedes Benz how
busy they were the last week of the year, so many companies had budgets to spend
or lose them, so bought high end cars. New Year’s Eve sales meant F&I
people working into the new year, they were that busy. Do we look at our walk
with Jesus like that, do the things of life consume us rather than being spirit
led? Do we see the potential God has for us in what he has provided, or do we
think we can do better? Take money out of a decision and see how it effects the
decision. You may find that you have horribly run rampant over morals in your
need for money, Jesus tells us to seek him first, even our money says “In God we
trust,” but do we trust him first? Ask yourself, are you tithing to get under
the law, or giving with a pure heart as God instructs? Those who give never do
without, those that hang onto it never have enough. Think outside the box,
trust the spirit.
Advice found in Proverbs 3, “do not lean on your own understanding.” Or
experience. Remember the church epitaph, for in each situation God has a way,
and an answer for each problem. Think, a concept not heard from the pulpit,
consider the things of God, listen to the spirit, and find growth and success.
Money is not the root of all evil until the love of it takes over. The answer
to your problem is not more money, for if money was the answer, the government
would be successful. You have to live within your budget, they don’t. Both
coal and diamonds are carbon based, the diamond formed under pressure and with a
greater value. Who ever put a ring of coal on their fiancee’s finger?
God gave us the ability to think, to figure out based on what we have been
given. He started by giving us his son, and we are to pass on that love to
others, not burden them financially. Take money out of your relationship with
God, and see what you have been missing. We would not have the Corvette today
if Zora had worked harder and not smarter, and within his budget, we might all
be driving Priuses. Use the talent, ability, and opportunity God has presented
you with today, and watch as his answers are the best. No one ever sang a love
song about a Prius, how many car songs can you name? She’s real fine my
what?
Big motors in small bodies, parts available to the common man. A good
equation for success. God has given us his spirit. Which just may be the
answer to why there is no replacement for displacement. There is a substitute
for cubic inches....and it ain’t a Prius!
love with compassion,
Mike
mattew25biker.blogspot.com