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1993 the 1963 Grand Sport model kits were not yet available, so Don’s cars were created from a total of five
stock 1963 AMT Corvette kits. To fulfill Duntov’s request for ”tree coupes… two roadsters” Theune had his
work cut out for him!
Don’s Scale Visions business was gaining national attention by the mid-’90s and since the Duntov order
for five models didn’t have a hard deadline, it took Theune two years to complete the cars. The Grand
Sport Corvettes had not yet been exhaustively researched and cataloged as they are today. At 1995 Corvettes at
Carlisle, Don presented Zora with the #001 Penske Roadster. The other 4 units still required a few small
finishing touches.
When Zora took delivery of his Grand Sport
model at the Corvettes at Carlisle luncheon, he
had a sparkle in his eyes and looked like a kid at
Christmas. Theune even made a little figurine of
Zora in the model’s display case. Don was lucky
enough, to have this moment captured on film by
Chip Miller. Don explained to Duntov that the
remaining four Grand Sports would be done in time
for Zora’s birthday, December 25. Don recalls, “I
was almost in tears, seeing that ole’ guy so happy.”
Theune headed home from that years Corvettes at
Carlisle and commenced completing the remaining
Grand Sports.
Late in November 1995, Don called Elfi Duntov to inform her that the models were done and that he was
sending them the next day. In her own unique European accent she said, “You better send them Over Night,
we’re leaving for Aruba in two days.” Don put the pedal to the metal and with help from USPS Shipping
Center, packaged up a huge box with four Scale Vision Grand Sport Corvettes and LOTS of packing peanuts.
The next day Don called the Duntov’s residence and Elfi answered the phone.
“Hello.”
“Hey there Elfi, this is Don, I wanted to make sure Zora received his birthday present.”
Elfi replied, “Yes…” (she sounded a little irritated, but continued) “I wished you hadn’t sent them today!”
Don asked, ” Why… what’s wrong ?”
“We’re leaving for Aruba tomorrow and there are peanuts all over the house! Zora hasn’t packed, all he’s doing
is playing with those damn cars!”
I asked if I could speak with Zora and she yelled “Zora , pick up the phone.”
Zora picked up the phone , “Ya?”
Don asked, “Zora what do you think?”
Zora replied, “Very nice!”
Elfi got back on the phone, “OK Don, gotta go. Zora GO PACK!” Click! End of call.
Theune recalls, “A tear came to my eye. What can I say.”
A few months later , Don received a call from National Corvette Museum’s Dan Gale. “Don, I thought
you’d want to hear this from me, before you read it on line, Zora passed today.” Reflecting back, Don says, “I
had very mixed emotions about Zora’s passing. I was grateful that I got to know him a little, yet deeply
saddened that he was gone.