1953 Cunningham C-3 Cabriolet
- Engine
- Chrysler Hemi V8
- Colour
- Two-tone red
The Cunningham C-3 Cabriolet (chassis 5441) is one of only five open-bodied examples produced, combining a Chrysler Hemi V-8 with a Vignale-designed body from Turin on a racing-derived chassis. Completed in 1953 and finished in red, it was displayed at Alfred Momo's showroom in New York before passing to racer and rare-book collector Irving Robbins, who showed it at the early Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1956 and 1957. The car later passed through several respected private collections before being acquired by Briggs Cunningham's daughter Lucie.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,215,000
- 1954 → 1954Acquisition unknownAlfred Momo's (New York dealership or showroom)partial documentation
The car was displayed at this New York establishment during the summer of 1954 prior to its first private sale.
- 1954-08-01 →Private saleIrving Robbinspartial documentation
Northern California racer and rare book collector who traded in a damaged Cunningham C-2 as part of the purchase; relocated the car to California and showed it at Pebble Beach.
- 1966 →Acquisition unknownPrivate collection (one of several successive owners from 1966)partial documentation
Ownership from 1966 is documented through a series of three respected private collections; one of these owners commissioned a restoration of the vehicle.
- Date unknownPrivate saleLucie Cunninghampartial documentation
Daughter of Briggs Cunningham who acquired the car to share with her mother; exhibited it at the 2013 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance during her ownership.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownWell-respected private collector (current consignor)partial documentation
Current vendor offering the car at auction; described as part of a highly regarded private collection.
Competition
- 19561956 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Car was exhibited at the event while owned by Irving Robbins, during the concours's early years.
- 19571957 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Second consecutive appearance at Pebble Beach under Robbins's ownership; the car was also featured in press coverage that same year.
- 20132013 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance
Shown during the period of ownership by Lucie Cunningham, Briggs Cunningham's daughter.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
A full restoration was commissioned by one of the unnamed private collectors who held the car after 1966; the scope and workshop are not specified in the catalogue.
No further detail on the extent or date of this restoration is provided in the source material.
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