1952 Cunningham C4-R Roadster

A total of thirty-six Cunningham cars were built including eight racing cars and of the racing cars, the two C4R Roadsters and the C4RK Coupe were the most successful and pioneered the concept of American engines successfully powering lightweight road-racing chassis.

This Cunningham C-4R is one of the two C4R roadsters, the other one (5216), is in the Collier Collection. Interestingly, each car has the other one's original engine, something that probably happened during routine rebuilds. Cunningham's goal was to win the 24 Hour race at Le Mans and 5217 first ran there in 1952 driven by John Fitch and George Rice. After several races in the USA and Europe, it arrived at the French circuit again in 1954, driven by Sherwood Johnston and Bill Spear, who finished 3rd overall and 1st in class with this car driven by Briggs himself, finishing 5th. This was one of the Cunningham team's best result at Le Mans.

This Cunningham C-4R was sold at auction in 1970 from the estate of driver Charles Moran. The winning builder was a dealer named Tiny Gould who later sold it to Warren Collins. From there, it was purchased by Henry Faulkner, from whom Robert F. Williams purchased the car in 1983. While in Mr. William's care, the C-4R was used in various events throughout the country including 1984, 1986, 1987, and 1988 Mille Miglia Retrospectives. During each of these years, the car crossed the finish line. In 1988, it was co-driven by John Fitch and in 1984 by Augie Pabst.

The car entered the Simeone Collection in 1990.