Collectors & Aficionados
Cunningham. The American dream at Le Mans
Wealthy scion Briggs Cunningham's fascination with racing evolved from a youthful driver to an ambitious constructor. His journey, marked by iconic cars like "Le Monstre," unfolded at Le Mans, with persistence leading to a podium in 1953.
Briggs Cunningham, the son of a wealthy entrepreneur from Cincinnati, developed the idea of establishing his racing team in the late 1930s, primarily due to his connection with the Collier family, with whom he participated in the 1939 Le Mans 24-hour race, driving an MG. The Colliers, who are prominent collectors today, were the founders of the Automobile Racing Club of America, later renamed the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) in 1944. Cunningham began his journey, eventually becoming an automobile constructor under his own name, in the post-World War II era. He began with a hybrid called the “Bumerc” (that combined a Buick 8V engine with a Mercedes-Benz chassis) and later with an MG TC and a Ferrari 166.
In 1950, Cunningham took his first significant step by entering two Cadillac Series 61 Coupe de Villes in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. One remained in its standard form but was skilfully modified and entrusted to Sam and Miles Collier. The other was heavily modified and dubbed “Le Monstre”, driven by Cunningham himself and Phil Waters. They finished 10th and 11th overall, respectively, a promising debut.
