Roadster
Chassis #: 5236
Briggs Swift Cunningham was the son of a wealthy banker. He had a passion for speed and racing; beginning in 1940, he raced his 'Bu-Merc' - a modified Buick chassis with a Buick engine and Mercedes-Benz SSK bodywork. After World War II, he continued to step-up his racing efforts. In 1950, Cunningham entered a pair of Cadillac Series 60s in LeMans, finishing 10th and 11th overall. In 1951, he developed his own racecar. It was dubbed the Cunningham C-1 and given Cadillac power. Due to a lack of financial support from Cadillac, it saw very little track time. Chrysler, however, was willing to sell its Hemi V8s to Cunningham at a 40-percent discount. In 1952, the Cunningham C-2R made its debut, featuring a chassis developed from the C-1. The Chrysler Hemi engine provide plenty of power, however the C-2 was hampered by its weight, DeDion rear axle, and 3-speed transmission that limited engine braking, resulting in additional wear on the drum brakes. By this point in history, LeMans had established a new rule requiring manufacturers to homologate their racecars. The rule stated that at least 25 road going units were required to be produced in order to participate in the race. Undeterred, Cunningham set out to create a street version of the C-2R, which was called the C-3. It was given a ladder-tube frame in similar fashion to the C-2Rs, with an independent setup in the front and a live rear axle. Under the bonnet was a 331 cubic-inch Chrysler Hemi V8. One C3 was given a C2 before bodywork was turned over to Vignale in Italy. Vignale would complete the coachwork and send it to Cunningham's West Palm Beach factory for final fitment. The completed cars were then offered to the public, at a price that was nearly three times the price of a Corvette. The Coupes had a price of $9,000 while the convertibles sold for $10,000. Just 25 examples of the C-3 were built; enough to satisfy the homologation requirements.
This particular example was sold new to Hilltop Trailer Sales in Evansville, Indiana. It was one of 14 C-3 chassis that were built but never given their Vignale coachwork. The car remained in the Midwest before eventually making its way to a Wisconsin farm, where it would remain - still without a body - for decades. The car was later discovered by its current caretaker. By this point in history, the farmer had fitted a radiator and a seat, and drove it on his farm. Most of the chassis's original parts, paint, brakes and suspension were still with the vehicle.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2016
1952 Cunningham C3
Cunningham
2016 Bonhams : The Amelia Island Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $275,000-USD $325,000
Sale Price :
USD $275,000
1952 Cunningham C3 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Cunningham C3
(Data based on Model Year 1952 sales)
1952 CUNNINGHAM C-3 Chassis#: 5236 Sold for USD$275,000 2016 Bonhams : The Amelia Island Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1952 Cunningham C3 Coupe by Vignale Chassis#: 5208 Sold for USD$1,210,000 2016 RM Sothebys : Arizona | ![]() ![]() |
1952 Cunningham C-3 Coupe Chassis#: 5210 Sold for USD$550,000 2014 Gooding & Company - The Scottsdale Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1952 Cunningham C-3 Coupe Chassis#: IND 2011044 Sold for USD$407,000 2013 Auctions America - California |
Cunningham C3s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1952 Cunningham C3's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1952 Cunningham C-3 West Palm Beach Coupe | 5206X | 2011 RM Auctions at Monterey | $550,000 | $675,000 | $875,000 |
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1952 Cunningham C3
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