1960 Chevrolet Corvette (Cunningham Le Mans #1, chassis 3535)
- Engine
- 350 cu in (5.7L) V8, 1970-vintage unit (replacement; original race engine removed)
- Colour
- Black (subsequent owners also applied green and yellow)
Chassis 3535 is a 1960 Chevrolet Corvette that served as Briggs Cunningham's number-one entry at the 1960 Le Mans 24 Hours, developed with covert technical backing from a General Motors team directed by Zora Arkus-Duntov. Purchased through a New York dealership to obscure factory involvement, the car was extensively modified for endurance racing and driven by Cunningham and Bill Kimberly at Le Mans, retiring after 32 laps following a crash and fire at Maison Blanche. It represents the culmination of Cunningham's decade-long campaign to win Le Mans in an American car with American drivers.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$758,500
- 1960-03-16 →Private saleBriggs Swift Cunningham IIfull documentation
Acquired through dealer Don Allen Midtown Chevrolet in New York City to obscure Chevrolet's involvement. The chassis was prepared and modified extensively for Le Mans competition.
Competition
- 19601960 Le Mans 24 HoursDriver: Briggs Swift Cunningham IIDNF — fire and electrical damage after 32 laps
Started with Cunningham driving and co-driven by Bill Kimberly. During Kimberly's first stint, the car spun, rolled twice, and caught fire at Maison Blanche in heavy rain; burned wiring ended the car's race.
- 1960-03-261960 12 Hours of SebringDriver: John FitchDNF — rear hub failure after 27 laps
The car was launched end over end following a hub failure, sustaining serious damage. The driver escaped with only minor injuries.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1960ModificationAlfred Momo
Further race preparation carried out by Alfred Momo, adding Stewart Warner instrumentation, a Halibrand quick-release fuel filler, Halibrand magnesium wheels, Firestone race tyres, Koni competition dampers, dual Bendix fuel pumps, an extra front anti-roll bar, a 37-gallon fuel tank, supplementary ducting, two Douglas C-47 aircraft seats, and a side-exit exhaust system.
Work applied to all three Cunningham Corvettes as part of the Le Mans preparation programme.
- 1960Modification
Post-testing revisions applied to rear axles, cylinder heads, and internal engine components; magnesium bonnets were also specified, though whether these were actually fitted remains unconfirmed.
Changes derived from development testing at Sebring, Daytona, Bridgehampton, and the Circuit de la Sarthe prior to the Le Mans race.
- 1960Modification
Chassis specified at purchase with quick-ratio steering, heavy-duty sintered-metallic brake linings, uprated suspension, close-ratio four-speed gearbox, Positraction differential, radio delete, and a temperature-regulated radiator fan.
Specification applied across all three Cunningham Corvettes at the time of acquisition.
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