Cunningham C-3 Coupe 1952, Estados Unidos

Cunningham C-3 Coupe 1952, Estados Unidos

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One of the most significant American grand touring automobiles of the postwar era, the C-3 embodies Briggs Cunningham’s ambitious vision of creating an American-built car capable of competing with Europe’s finest sporting machines. Combining competition-derived Chrysler Hemi power with exquisite coachwork by Vignale of Torino, the C-3 remains among the rarest, most charismatic, and most exclusive automobiles of the 1950s.

As documented in Richard Harman’s book Cunningham: The Passion, The Cars, The Legacy, this Vignale C-3 Coupe, chassis 5211, was commissioned on October 19, 1951, with Works Order 19, and delivered new fitted with engine IND 20-1008, which it retains to this day. Its original owner was American automobile enthusiast William A.M. Burden Jr.

The son of William Armistead Moale Burden and Florence Vanderbilt, William Burden Jr. was a philanthropist, collector of the finest art, and one-time ambassador to Belgium. The wealth management firm he founded, William A.M. Burden & Co., is acknowledged as one of the first to pioneer what we know today as a family office. In the car world, Burden held a reputation for acquiring the finest automobiles. Burden Jr. was a patron of Mercedes-Benz throughout his life, owning an SSK, 540K, 770K Grosser, and 600 Pullman, among others. His keen eye and passion for automotive engineering led him to work with Harry Miller on his early 1930s V-16 project.

Cunningham’s C-3 appealed to Burden Jr.’s tastes. After its initial build, chassis 5211 followed the standard process of being shipped to Vignale in Italy on July 3, 1952, and returning with its completed bodywork in December that year. It is believed to have been built with a number of performance improvements, akin to the cars Briggs had run at Le Mans.

As with many of Burden Jr.’s cars, it had a black exterior, which accentuated the Vignale chrome bodywork trim and was contrasted with a red leather interior. The cabin is recorded to have featured supplementary non-standard instruments: an indicator arm on the steering column, Chrysler pistol grip handbrake handle, and a brass chassis number plaque to its dash.

Following Burden Jr.’s appreciative tenure, this Cunningham passed to Alfred Momo, the former team manager for Cunningham, and then to Laurence Leeds of New Jersey, who kept it until the early 1960s. In 1961, it passed to enthusiast John J. Paolantonio, owner of another C-3 (5231) at that time. The C-3 then passed through a veritable roll call of noted collectors that includes Jerry Sauls, Harold “Joe” Hayes, and the Gateway Automobile Museum. While in the Gateway collection, the C-3 was restored back to its original colors before joining a prominent Texan stable in 2024.

This Cunningham C-3 Coupe has been carefully preserved, routinely exercised, and displayed at select regional automotive events. Ownership of these cars belongs to an exclusive club of disciples who admire Briggs Cunningham’s passion for automobiles and American racing success. Chassis 5211 presents a stunning chance to be part of this rare circle. Texto da Gooding Christie's.

Nota do blog: Data 2026 / Crédito para Gooding Christie's,