Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
Briggs Swift Cunningham was a racing enthusiast from his early years and, in fact, imported the first racing Ferrari to America. He was most famous for mounting an American assault to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans in many cars including Cadillac, Corvette, and Jaguar, and with his own car bearing the Cunningham name. The Cunningham C-3 was purpose-built to be raced at LeMans, however, rules indicated that the constructors of cars also had to offer road cars to the general public.
This C3 coupe, number 5206, is the first of 20 Cunningham coupes bodied in Italy by Vignale. As such, it is often referred to as 'the prototype.' One unique feature of 5206 is a wheelbase of 105 inches, two inches shorter than the remainder of the C3 coupes. Another feature that distinguishes this car from the remaining 19 Vignale coupes is the use of curved rather than flat glass in the side windows. In addition to the 20 coupes, there were also five (other sources say six) convertibles produced, with the last five having been bodied by Vignale. The original owner of this car was Karl Kiekhaefer, who was the owner of Mercury Marine and a personal friend of Briggs Cunningham. In 1952, Mr. Kiekhaefer paid $9,000 plus an excise tax of $900 for the car.
The C-3 Models were built between 1952 and 1956 and cost more than $10,000 each. Vignale Coachworks of Turin, Italy, built the bodies using a design by Giovanni Michelotti. As the prototype, this example was the only car entirely built in West Palm Beach, Florida. Power is from a 350-horsepower Chrysler V8 engine.
This C3 coupe, number 5206, is the first of 20 Cunningham coupes bodied in Italy by Vignale. As such, it is often referred to as 'the prototype.' One unique feature of 5206 is a wheelbase of 105 inches, two inches shorter than the remainder of the C3 coupes. Another feature that distinguishes this car from the remaining 19 Vignale coupes is the use of curved rather than flat glass in the side windows. In addition to the 20 coupes, there were also five (other sources say six) convertibles produced, with the last five having been bodied by Vignale. The original owner of this car was Karl Kiekhaefer, who was the owner of Mercury Marine and a personal friend of Briggs Cunningham. In 1952, Mr. Kiekhaefer paid $9,000 plus an excise tax of $900 for the car.
The C-3 Models were built between 1952 and 1956 and cost more than $10,000 each. Vignale Coachworks of Turin, Italy, built the bodies using a design by Giovanni Michelotti. As the prototype, this example was the only car entirely built in West Palm Beach, Florida. Power is from a 350-horsepower Chrysler V8 engine.
2015 RM Sotheby's : The Andrews Collection
Sale Price :
USD $869,000
1953 Cunningham C3 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Cunningham C3
(Data based on Model Year 1953 sales)
1953 Cunningham C3 Vignale Coupe Chassis#: 5211 Sold for USD$610,000 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | |
1953 Cunningham C-3 Cabriolet by Vignale Chassis#: 5441 Sold for USD$1,215,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
1953 Cunningham C-3 Coupe by Vignale Chassis#: 5223 Sold for USD$1,100,000 2017 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1953 Cunningham C3 Coupe by Vignale Chassis#: 5206 Sold for USD$869,000 2015 RM Sotheby's : The Andrews Collection | |
1953 Cunningham C-3 Continental Coupe Chassis#: 5211 Sold for USD$341,000 2012 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auction | |
1953 Cunningham C-3 Continental Coupe Chassis#: 5226 Sold for USD$539,000 2011 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions | |
1953 Cunningham C3 Sold for USD$255,000 2009 Automobiles of Amelia Island | |
1953 Cunningham C3 Competition Continental Coupe Sold for USD$374,000 2006 Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction |
Cunningham C3s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1953 Cunningham C3's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $662,875 range.
1984 Audi Sport Quattro Chassis#:WAUZZZ85ZEA905147 Sold for $665,000 2024 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1972 FERRARI 365 GTB/4 DAYTONA SPIDER SCAGLIETTI CONVERSION Chassis#:13353 Sold for $660,000 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1964 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:4Y86N434680 Sold for $660,000 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda Chassis#:bs23r1b227275 Sold for $660,000 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
2022 McLaren 765LT Spider Chassis#:SBM14SCA1NW765173 Sold for $665,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Las Vegas | |
2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Project One Edition Chassis#:W1KYJ8BA7MA042580 Sold for $665,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Las Vegas | |
1958 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:J58S103962 Sold for $660,000 2023 Barrett-Jackson : New Orleans | |
1974 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Chassis#:14855 Sold for $660,000 2023 Mecum : Monterey | |
1961 Ghia L 6.4 Chassis#:0306 Sold for $665,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1967 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Chassis#:194677s103456 Sold for $660,000 2023 Mecum : Indy | |
2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition Chassis#:1fafp90sx6y400496 Sold for $660,000 2023 Mecum : Indy | |
1931 Cadillac Series 452 V-16 Convertible Coupe Chassis#:702935 Sold for $660,000 2023 Mecum : Indy | |
1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta by Scaglietti Chassis#:14207 Sold for $665,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1965 Shelby 427 Cobra Roadster Chassis#:CSX3063 Sold for $660,000 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1994 PORSCHE 964 TURBO-LOOK SPEEDSTER Chassis#:WP0ZZZ96ZRS455486 Sold for $665,000 2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1996 PORSCHE 993 GT2R Chassis#:WP0ZZZ99ZTS393077 Sold for $665,000 2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1938 Talbot-Lago T150C 'Lago Spéciale' Cabriolet Chassis#:90039 Sold for $665,000 2022 Bonhams : The Quail Auction | |
2014 Ferrari F12tdf Prototype MP4 Chassis#:ZFF74UHB000207446 Sold for $660,000 2022 Mecum : Monterey | |
1955 Porsche Type 597 'Jagdwagen' Prototype Chassis#:597/0005 Sold for $665,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
2001 FERRARI 550 BARCHETTA Chassis#:ZFFZR52A110124300 Sold for $665,000 2022 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island Auction |
1953 Cunningham C3
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery
• Other Cunningham C3 model years