1951 Cunningham C-1

Briggs Swift Cunningham II was a man of tremendous resources, ambition, and talent. He was born into a wealthy American family and later became known as an entrepreneur and sportsman who raced automobiles and yachts. He was a racing car driver, constructor, and team owner in addition to being a sports car manufacturer and collector.

In 1950, Cunningham entered two Cadillac cars for Le Mans, one was a Cadillac Series 61 Coupe, and the other a special-bodied sports car known as 'Le Monstre.' The stock-appearing Series 61 finished 10th, and the 'Le Monstre' finished 11th. This impressive accomplishment convinced Cunningham to return the following year with a proper American-built sports car that could compete for overall victory. At the time, no American manufacturer was capable of performing this task, so Briggs decided to build his own sports car.

Bill Frick had helped with the Cunningham Cadillac Le Mans preparation, and Ted Tappett had been Cunningham's co-driver, albeit under the fictitious name of Phil Walters. Believing they were the right individuals to aid in the creation of the sports car, Cunningham acquired Frick-Tappett Motors and relocated the operation from Long Island to Florida.

The first sports car to emerge from the newly formed B.S. Cunningham Company of West Palm Beach was dubbed the C-1. Only one Cadillac-powered C-1 was ever created since General Motors was unwilling to sell Cadillac engines directly to Briggs. By this point in history, the tides of horsepower supremacy were shifting with the new Hemi engine from Chrysler.

With the 24 Hours of Le Mans quickly approaching, work continued on the new C-2 outfitted with Chrysler's Hemi engine. Insisting they be made completely from American components, the C-2 was given Cadillac brakes, Chrysler's worm-and-sector steering, a Ford front suspension, and Oldsmobile rear springs.

The three C-2 cars and the C-1 prototype were brought to Le Mans, where the C-1 served as the practice car. Driving duties at Le Mans consisted of Briggs with George Hunton, George Rand with Fred Wacker, and Phil Walters and John Fitch. During the race, the Cunningham cars proved to be quick, but mechanical malfunctions eventually eliminated two of the cars. The C-2 cars were fast but heavy, which were hard on the brakes, complicated further by a rain-soaked course. The car driven by Fitch and Walters was able to finish in 18th place. Their result may have been much higher had they been able to use another fuel instead of the low-octane official Le Mans fuel.

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2020