1952 Cunningham C3 Vignale Coupé

5208roadUnited States

Engine: 331 cu in (5.4L) Chrysler Hemi V8, OHV, four single-barrel Zenith carburetors, ~220 bhp
Colour: Tri-tone silver-blue

Chassis 5208 is the third Cunningham C3 built, one of only 25 road-going cars produced to satisfy Le Mans homologation rules. Bodied by Alfredo Vignale to a Giovanni Michelotti design and powered by a Chrysler Hemi V-8, it is distinguished as the sole Vignale-bodied C3 to have competed in period racing, entering events at MacDill Air Force Base in 1953 and 1954 driven by Phil Stiles. After years in the Petersen Automotive Museum, the car underwent a comprehensive, authenticity-focused restoration using chassis 5207 as a reference.

Ownership

—Auction sale
Sold US$1,210,000
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
→ 1955Acquisition unknown
B.S. Cunningham Company
partial documentation
The car was returned to the Cunningham factory in West Palm Beach and campaigned in competition before being sold off in 1955.
1955 →Private sale
Tony Olivero
partial documentation
Texas-based owner who acquired the car from the Cunningham company; the car made a final period sporting appearance at a San Diego race in 1956 during or around this ownership.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Alvin R. Jones
partial documentation
Indiana-based original owner; the car was exhibited at the Henry Ford Museum Sports Cars Internationale in 1953 during his tenure.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Art Stuart
partial documentation
Resident of Highland Park, Michigan; the car was shown again at the Henry Ford Museum Sports Cars Internationale in 1955 while he owned it.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Petersen Automotive Museum
partial documentation
The vehicle spent an extended period on display at this Los Angeles institution before passing to private hands.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Current caretaker
partial documentation
Commissioned a thorough restoration targeting full fidelity to the car's factory-original specification, including recreation of the original tri-tone color scheme and reinstatement of the original Chrysler Hemi engine.

Competition

1953
Henry Ford Museum Sports Cars Internationale
Car exhibited during the show while in the ownership of Alvin R. Jones of Indiana.
1953-02-21
MacDill Air Force Base 12-lap novice race
Driver: Phil Stiles17th overall
Second race of the day, open to novice drivers in modified cars across all classes; a 50-mile, 12-lap contest held at the Tampa, Florida venue.
1953-02-21
Collier Memorial Handicap Race
Driver: Phil Stiles
Feature event of the day at MacDill Air Force Base; a 6-hour, 120-lap race covering approximately 492 miles.
1954
Governor Dan McCarty Memorial Race
Driver: Phil StilesDNF — suspension failure
Third race of the day at MacDill Air Force Base; a 60-lap, 200-mile contest run with an uprated engine that had been tested during practice.
1955
Henry Ford Museum Sports Cars Internationale
Car again exhibited at the event, this time while owned by Art Stuart of Highland Park, Michigan.
1956
Fiesta del Pacifico
Final recorded period competition appearance; held in San Diego.

Maintenance & restoration

1954Engine rebuild
Cunningham factory
Engine upgraded to a higher-performance specification prior to the January 1954 MacDill race, and the car was track-tested in practice.
—Modification
Cunningham factory
Borrani wire wheels fitted to the car as an upgrade carried out during the period of Cunningham team use.
—Restoration
RM Auto Restoration
Full nut-and-bolt restoration commissioned with the aim of returning the car to its original factory specifications. Work included remanufacture of correct bumpers, recreation of the original tri-tone silver-blue paint scheme, refacing of instruments to match body colour, fabrication of new glass to original profiles, research and reinstatement of cowl ventilator, hood scoop, and chrome trim, and installation of the original Chrysler Hemi V-8 with its four single-barrel Zenith carburettor setup. Chassis 5207, owned by Tom Cotter, was used as a reference throughout.
Chassis 5207 was loaned by its owner Tom Cotter to serve as a detailed reference for the correct original specifications of this car.

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