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The Cunningham Company of Rochester, New York, was founded as a carriage builder in 1882. In addition to the normal horse-drawn vehicles, they also built a variety of dog carts and funeral hearses. They transitioned to automobiles in 1907, with the cars quickly earning a reputation for being large, powerful, exclusive, and expensive. They then branched out into aircraft production, building small planes from 1928 to 1948. Cunningham ceased auto production in 1931 but continued to produce bodies for other manufacturers.
James Cunningham and Sons (not related to Briggs Cunningham and his cars) produced Cunningham cars, and later car bodies, on a customer-only basis in Rochester, NY, from 1896 to 1936. The company's primary business was to make funeral coaches, sleighs, and fine carriages, but they would produce a few automobiles each year.
Cunningham automobiles were the equivalent of Rolls-Royce, Locomobile, and Pierce-Arrow, with whom they shared engineers. Having no dealer network and not trusting local mechanics, the Cunningham Company would send their mechanics out to repair cars. When the company ceased making cars in 1931, it made bodies for other manufacturers, including a town car body for Ford.
Early Cunningham's featured engines supplied by Continental and other manufacturers. They also offered electric-powered cars. In 1916 they offered their first V-8 engine making Cunningham one of the first auto companies to offer this configuration. First-year V-8s produced 45 horsepower, increasing in power over the years.
Cunningham was also among the first to offer steps instead of running boards.
The clientele included a who's who of the business and entertainment industries, including William Randolph Hearst, Marshall Field, Fatty Arbuckle, and Tom Mix.
This Series V model illustrates the fine coachwork for which the Cunningham brand was renowned. The car is powered by a Cunningham-built side-valve 442 cubic inch V8 engine that develops 145 hp.
This particular car was originally built for Mr. Balfour S. Craib, a New York philanthropist and noted supporter of the New York Philharmonic and other institutions. Another previous owner was Tom Lester of Lester Tire. This car came up for auction in 1973 when the current owner's father bought it. The Cunningham V-5 Touring, recognized as a full classic by the Classic Car Club of America, originally sold for around $6,300, a massive price for the day. It rides on a 132-inch wheelbase and semi-elliptical springs. Power comes from a side-valve, 441.8 cubic-inch (7.3 liters), 45 horsepower, the 3-main bearing V8 engine of the company's design.
The car is recognized as a 'Full Classic' by the Classic Car Club of America and has been in the current owner's family for over 40 years.
James Cunningham and Sons (not related to Briggs Cunningham and his cars) produced Cunningham cars, and later car bodies, on a customer-only basis in Rochester, NY, from 1896 to 1936. The company's primary business was to make funeral coaches, sleighs, and fine carriages, but they would produce a few automobiles each year.
Cunningham automobiles were the equivalent of Rolls-Royce, Locomobile, and Pierce-Arrow, with whom they shared engineers. Having no dealer network and not trusting local mechanics, the Cunningham Company would send their mechanics out to repair cars. When the company ceased making cars in 1931, it made bodies for other manufacturers, including a town car body for Ford.
Early Cunningham's featured engines supplied by Continental and other manufacturers. They also offered electric-powered cars. In 1916 they offered their first V-8 engine making Cunningham one of the first auto companies to offer this configuration. First-year V-8s produced 45 horsepower, increasing in power over the years.
Cunningham was also among the first to offer steps instead of running boards.
The clientele included a who's who of the business and entertainment industries, including William Randolph Hearst, Marshall Field, Fatty Arbuckle, and Tom Mix.
This Series V model illustrates the fine coachwork for which the Cunningham brand was renowned. The car is powered by a Cunningham-built side-valve 442 cubic inch V8 engine that develops 145 hp.
This particular car was originally built for Mr. Balfour S. Craib, a New York philanthropist and noted supporter of the New York Philharmonic and other institutions. Another previous owner was Tom Lester of Lester Tire. This car came up for auction in 1973 when the current owner's father bought it. The Cunningham V-5 Touring, recognized as a full classic by the Classic Car Club of America, originally sold for around $6,300, a massive price for the day. It rides on a 132-inch wheelbase and semi-elliptical springs. Power comes from a side-valve, 441.8 cubic-inch (7.3 liters), 45 horsepower, the 3-main bearing V8 engine of the company's design.
The car is recognized as a 'Full Classic' by the Classic Car Club of America and has been in the current owner's family for over 40 years.
No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.
Recent Sales of the Cunningham Series V-6
(Data based on Model Year 1928 sales)
Cunningham Series V-6s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1928 Cunningham Series V-6's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
| Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
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1928 Cunningham Series V-6
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