Coachwork by Vignale

Chassis no. IND 2011044

Cunningham No. 5208

331-cid, 220-hp OHV V-8 engine, three-speed manual transmission, coil spring independent front suspension, live rear axle with trailing arm coil spring suspension and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 105-inches

Having established his credibility in building racing cars with strong performances at LeMans and other venues, sportsman Briggs S. Cunningham embarked on a brief venue as an automaker, constructing 25 Cunningham C-3 cars in 1952 and ’53. Powered by Chrysler Hemi V-8s, they carried aluminum Vignale bodies.

Originally owned by Arthur Stewart, Cunningham number 5208 is the only C-3 to have been raced. It was driven by Phil Stiles at MacDill Air Force Base on February 21, 1953, where it did not finish because of a transmission problem. Subsequent owners included William Towa, Tony Oliveto and Dick Hoy, the latter having begun a restoration prior to the 1990s. It is in this unfinished condition that the car is being offered.

It is believed to be the only Cunningham to have been manufactured with Borrani wire wheels. It has chrome nerf bars for bumpers and currently has four single-barrel Zenith carburetors in place of the original four-barrel.

The rolling chassis is complete, with the body mounted and drivetrain installed. The body has been slap-hammered with wooden blocks, with no bondo used in the finishing. It is undercoated and was ready for paint at the time it was acquired by the current owner. A pigskin leather interior is reportedly ready for installation. The intention was to paint the car in what is thought to be its original cream-dark blue-light blue color scheme.

We are told that all parts to complete the restoration are included, with the exception of the front windshield. Although requiring significant effort, the result will be rewarding, for this car is not only rare but has its own unique competition history.