The global magazine and marketplace for classic car enthusiasts, by enthusiasts.
The global magazine and marketplace for classic car enthusiasts, by enthusiasts.









The racing and sports car driver Briggs Cunningham set out to produce an American sports car that would surpass European machines of the same class, but though the Cunningham cars scored some successes in American events he was never able to achieve his goal of victory at Le Mans. Six different Cunningham models were made beginning with the Cunningham C1, containing stock Cadillac and Chrysler engines in a tubular chassis. The Cunningham C2 was nearly identical in appearance but was powered by a 180hp Chrysler unit. It came in 18th at Le Mans and 1st at Watkins Glen in 1951. The Cunningham C3 was a Vignale-bodied coupé of Michelotti design with an automatic transmission and a 220hp Chrysler engine. The Cunningham C4 was available as a coupé or roadster with 200bhp. Cunningham C5s with a 310bhp engine and a SIATA gearbox finished 3rd, 5th and 10th at the 1954 Le Mans. The final model, the Cunningham C6, was driven by a 16-valve, 4-cylinder Offenhauser engine of 260hp but lacked the speed of previous machines.
The Cunningham cars sold in small numbers and were costly to produce but they represented a valliant attempt in the field of sophisticated motor-car design.
Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; TRN, BE
The information is written with the greatest of care. However, if you have any suggested amendments please contact us at office@postwarclassic.com
