Cunningham

The price is not specified, you need to call to find out

Call For Price

Worldwide Auctioneers

To be OFFERED AT AUCTION at Worldwide Auctioneers' The Auburn Auction, August 28-28.  The 1953 Cunningham C3 Vignale Coupe stands as a tangible result of one man's relentless pursuit of motorsport glory: Briggs Swift Cunningham. A wealthy sportsman, sailor, and racer, Cunningham was determined to see an American car win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, he began fielding race cars under his own name, including modified Cadillacs and Chrysler-powered specials. His efforts culminated in a series of purpose-built sports racers like the C2-R, which competed at Le Mans with respectable finishes, including a fourth place in 1952.    To comply with FIA homologation rules requiring production road cars for Le Mans eligibility, Cunningham needed to build at least 25 street-legal cars. Thus, the C3 was born-more refined than the race cars but still infused with their DNA. Under the hood was a potent 331-cubic-inch Chrysler FirePower Hemi V-8, tuned to produce well over 200 horsepower. The C3 delivered the robust American power that Cunningham favored, matched with Italian elegance, thanks to coachwork by Vignale of Turin.    The chassis and drivetrain were developed in West Palm Beach, Florida, while the bodies were crafted and fitted overseas. This transatlantic collaboration yielded a truly unique automobile-American brawn clothed in European beauty. Only 25 coupes and 5 convertibles were built, making the C3 an exceedingly rare collector's item today. The C3 was not just a road car; it was a statement of intent. It signified Cunningham's dual ambitions-creating a world-class GT car and winning on the international stage. While ultimate Le Mans victory eluded him, the C3 remains a bold chapter in American racing history, blending performance, style, and the audacity of a man who dared to take on Europe at its own game.    Rare and seldom seen on public offer, this 1953 Cunningham C3 Vignale Coupe's known history starts when it was ordered new by its original owner William A.M. Burden, Jr., who was a connoisseur of all things shiny, fast, and exclusive, as his family roots can be traced back to American business magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt. With no financing issues ever in his life, William was known to own only the best, having had an SSK, a bespoke 540K, a 770 Grand Mercedes, and pair of Duesenbergs, to name a few, in his stable. For this particular Cunningham C3, he chose for it to be finished in his signature color combination of black over a red interior. Most notably, 5211 was the first known example built with round minor instruments, a Chrysler 'pistol grip' emergency brake handle, a turn signal arm built into the steering column, and distinctive brass serial number tag on the firewall. To keep up with his fast-paced lifestyle, William also had Cunningham add high-performance engine modifications, which included enlarged ported cylinder heads with special valve springs and polished connecting rods with special rod bearings.     Retaining this C3 for just a short period of time, he would trade it back to Cunningham's racing technical supervisor, Alfred Momo. Subsequent ownership would then be Lawrence Leeds of New Jersey, then John Paolantonio in 1962, followed by noted East Coast collector Jerry Sauls in 1990. Under Mr. Sauls' care, this C3 was comprehensively restored in a light-yellow shade. Following which, it would win its class at the 2002 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. In 2004, Anthony Gosnell acquired this example and took it overseas where it was exhibited at the Waddlesdon Manor Louis Vuitton Concours. Retaining it for two more years, the next owner would be noted sports car collector and Chicago native, Harold 'Joe' Hayes. Under his stewardship, he would entrust George Kovanda at Chicago Restorations to perform a complete cosmetic restoration.     By 2012, this C3 Vignale Coupe had found its way into the prestigious Gateway Automobile Museum, where it was displayed among some of the most desirable automobiles in the world until 2023. After which, this Cunningham underwent another comprehensive restoration where it was returned back to its original as-new specifications. Still retaining its original engine and characteristics like it did when new, this example has been beautifully maintained under current collection ownership.     With its striking original specification, exceptional provenance, and a life spent in the care of passionate stewards, this C3 stands as a true ambassador of American ambition and European artistry. It is a rare opportunity to own a car that captures the spirit of post-war innovation, international competition, and the uncompromising vision of Briggs Cunningham.

Black

Other

1 of 1 Motor Sports

Aston Martin Lotus Orlando

Audi Wesley Chapel

Auto Sport Classics, Exotic and Highline

Backdraft Racing

Bentley Bugatti Lamborghini Maserati and Rolls-Royce of Chicago

Bentley Denver

Bentley Salt Lake City

Blue Chip

Boardwalk Ferrari

Bonhams|Cars

BRABUS

Brabus USA

Broad Arrow Auctions

Broad Arrow Private Sales

BROOKLYN AUTO SALES

Canepa

Carlisle Auctions

Carrio Motor Cars

Cauley Ferrari of Detroit

Cavallino Rosso St. Louis

Celebrity Cars Las Vegas

Certified Motors Group

Chicago Motor Cars

CLB Sportscars

Cleveland Motorsports

Combat Motors

Continental AutoSports

Copley Motorcars

Criswell Automotive

Dave Arbogast Luxury Vehicles

Desert European Motorcars

Dimmitt Automotive Group

Dimmitt Cadillac Clearwater

Driver Source

Driving Emotions

duPont REGISTRY Private Client Service

Earth MotorCars

EarthRoamer

El Centro Motors

Enthusiast Auto Group

EUROCAR

European Exotic Center

European Exotic Center CA

Euro Prestige Imports

Exclusive Automotive Group

Exotic Motorcars of Michigan

Exotics Hunter

FariCars

Ferrari Beverly Hills

Ferrari Lake Forest

Ferrari Los Angeles

Ferrari of Alberta

Ferrari of Atlanta

Ferrari of Austin

Ferrari of Central Florida

Ferrari of Central New Jersey

Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale

Ferrari of Houston

Ferrari of Las Vegas

Ferrari of Long Island

Ferrari of Newport Beach

Ferrari of Ontario

Ferrari of Rancho Mirage

Ferrari of Salt Lake City

Ferrari of San Antonio

Ferrari of San Diego

Ferrari of San Francisco

Ferrari of Seattle

Ferrari of Tampa Bay

Ferrari Philadelphia

Ferrari Quebec

Ferrari Silicon Valley

Ferrari South Bay

Ferrari Westlake

Five Star Ford Dallas

Five Star Ford Lewisville

Foreign Cars Charlotte

Formula Imports

Fort Lauderdale Collection

Fort Lauderdale Collection South

Fusion Luxury Motors

Galpin Aston Martin

GH Vehicles

Gold Coast Maserati - Alfa Romeo

Graham Rahal Performance

Grand Prix Motors

Grand Touring Automobiles Calgary

Grand Touring Calgary

Gullwing Motor Cars

Heritage Cars

Holman Motorcars Fort Lauderdale

Holman Motorcars St. Louis

HyperCars

Isringhausen Imports

Jaguar Clearwater

JJ Rods

John Scotti Automotive LTEE

Ken Grody Ford

Koenigsegg Chicago

Acura

Alfa Romeo

Allard

Alvis

American LaFrance

Amphicar

Apocalypse

Aston Martin

Atlas

Auburn

Audi

Austin-Healey

Bentley

Boyer

Bugatti

Buick

Cadillac

Campagna

Can-Am

Chevrolet

Chrysler

Citroen

Clenet

Coco

Combat

Commander

Continental

Cord

Custom

Custom Motorcycle

Daimler

Dallara

Datsun

De La Chapelle

Delahaye

DeSoto

DeTomaso

Detroit Electric

Devin

Dodge

Dual-Ghia

Ducati

Edsel

Essex

Excalibur

Factory Five Racing

Ferrari

FIAT

Ford

Franklin

Frazer

Freightliner

Gatsby

Genesis

Harley-Davidson

Honda

Hudson

Humber

Hummer

Hyundai

Indian

INEOS

Infiniti

International

Jaguar

Jeep

Karma

Koenigsegg

Kombat

Lamborghini

Lancia

Land Rover

LaSalle

Lexus

Lightspeed

Lincoln

Lister

Lotus

Marmon

Maserati

Maybach

Mazda

McLaren

Mercedes-Benz

Mercer

Mercury

MINI

Mitsubishi

Moke

Morgan

Nissan

Sedan

Sedan long

Hatchback

duPont REGISTRY

New and Pre-owned Black Cunningham C3 for Sale

Find Cunningham Cars for Sale by Model

Find Cunningham Cars for Sale by City

Find Cunningham C3 Cars for Sale by Color

New and Used Cunningham Cars for Sale