fyi: Our Roots

[Andrew/USPWR]

On the news stand now, “Makes and Models Aug. 2007” is a story of Americas first muscle car that started it all. Our beloved Viper were inspired by Carol Shelby’s Cobra, but Carol Shelby was inspired by Briggs Cunningham's C4-R. And the C4-R had a HEMI. Great cars and a great person, Briggs Swift Cunningham. Lots of info on him in the internet and it would make a great movie.

Just a few point’s to ponder:
* He was the first to put blue strips on his (American white” race cars.
* In 1953 as a driver he drove 20 hours of the 24 hours of Le Mans because his co-driver John Fitch was ill.
* He, with the help of a few others, founded the “Sport Cars Club of America/SCCA.
* Sterling Moss raced for Cunningham at Sebring as a youngster and won.
* He Captained the “Columbia” to win the the America’s Cup in 1958.


http://www.briggscunningham.com/jaguar.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bZDXDxZlpE
http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Briggs+Cunningham

A couple of his street cars. MSRP approx $9,000 in the 50's

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

Bump. I can't believe nobody else finds this interesting amd it relation to Vipers. Guess I'm living in my own world.

But, I just noticed ebay motors uses an image of the Cunningham, C4-R in their header.
A C4-R, a wheel, a Harley, then some red *** car.
I'm sure most people mistake it for a Cobra.

http://www.motors.ebay.com/

 

[DrumrBoy]

Definitely interesting, and thanks for taking the time to post the pics.

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

Definitely interesting, and thanks for taking the time to post the pics.

Thanks, and like an original Cobra, these cars are worth well over a million dollars.

Did I mention they were built a mile from me, in West Palm Beach, FL

 

[whitebluevipe]

great article and post. i like to know as much as i can about these cars.

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

There are at least three books on Briggs Cunningham and his cars I've found. pm me if you need help.
Colliers private museum in Naples, FL. seems to have quite a few of he cars. Anybody been to the museum?

 

[usaf0016]

that red *** car is a celica on ebay motors header (POS)

thats really interesting information i never knew any of that nor had i heard of a C4-R, ive got lots to learn

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

that red *** car is a celica on ebay motors header (POS)

thats really interesting information i never knew any of that nor had i heard of a C4-R, ive got lots to learn

The funny thing is, who would know of the car? They only made 3. 2 roadsters and one coupe.

I've looked at on ebaymotors for years and never realized that was a Cunningham.

 

[boman]

Your lower pictures are the street version. Approximately 50 were supposed to be manufactured for homologation purposes. Bob Lutz owns/ or did own a Concours winning one.